Bet Bo’s Battling, Bucking Broncos beat bookies, Buccaneers, Browns and rival Raiders.

The Broncos’ best bet of the 21st century is they will win at least six games this season.

Before Super Bowl XXXIII Jan. 31, 1999, the Broncos – with the franchise’s greatest team (that finished with a 17-2 record overall) led by Mike Shanahan and John Elway — were favored by 7.5 points over the NFC Falcons and Dan Reeves, the former Broncos head coach. It was a no-brainer before. The Broncos were ahead 31-6 in the fourth quarter before Atlanta scored two meaningless touchdowns late.

The 2024 version of the Broncos don’t even receive respect from official sportsbook partners BetMGM, which has a wagering lounge @ Mile High, and FanDuel. Both have placed the over-under on the Broncos at 5.5 (the second lowest proposition in the NFL ahead of the Patriots at 4.5).

Trusting horses and dogs more, I never have or will gamble money on humans playing sports.

But the Broncos are a lock-cinch solid sure thing for anyone who picks Nix six victories or more.

One self-appointed “NFL expert’’ who apparently resides in a Denver-based company’s “Tuff Shed’’ in his parents’ back yard claims that the Broncos “lost their two most important offensive weapons – quarterback Russell Wilson and wide receiver Jerry Jeudy.’’

Uh, duh.

The neophyte nitwit predicts the Broncs will win four games. Others of his illusionary ilk have prophesied two or three victories against teams from parts unknown.

The Broncos in all likelihood won’t reach their ninth Super Bowl this year. However, they will not be the worst team in the league or the most ignominious franchise in this city, either. Not Orange Crush, but not Orange Smushed.

In his 15 seasons as a head coach in New Orleans Sean Payton produced double-digit victories in nine and 7-9 records in four. He pulled out an 8-9 record in his first year with the abysmal, awful , appalling 2023 Broncos who had to endure Wilson and Jeudy. (Each will come back with new teams this season.) Payton has a quarterback in Bo Nix and an upgraded roster.

A game-by-game professional prognostication:

At Seattle, Sept. 8 – The Seahawks will be favored by a touchdown in the opener primarily because they are home. Pete Caroll is gone and replaced by Mike Macdonald, not to be confused with Mike McDaniel of Miami (and Aurora) or Josh McDaniels of nowhere in coaching. Geno Smith is good, but not special. Close game. Seahawks 23-20.

Steelers, Sept. 15. – The Return of JeopardyRuss in the Broncos’ Mile High opener. Bo Nix will throw for three touchdowns, and Russell Wilson will be sacked three times and intercepted twice. Broncos 24-11.

At Tampa Bay, Sept. 22 – Tom Brady is long gone. Baker Mayfield is the QB now, and the Buccaneers are a common-variety NFL outfit. Their advantages will be home, heat and humidity. But the Bucs stop here as Broncos aren’t torched for 70 in Florida this season and rally for a 28-27 triumph.

At New York Jets, Sept. 29 – The Broncos lost to Zach Wilson last year and will lose to Aaron Rodgers this year. Nathaniel Hackett laughs last again 26-17.

Raiders, Oct. 6 – Embarrassingly, the Broncos have been victims against the Raiders eight consecutive games. End of skein. Gardner Minshew or Aidan O’Connell? Doesn’t matter. Broncos win easily 31-10.

Chargers, Oct. 13 – Sean Payton vs. Jim Harbaugh, the coach the Broncos’ ownership actually wanted. Bo Nix vs. Justin Herbert. Broncos win a squeaker on a field goal – 30-27.

At New Orleans, Oct. 17. – This Thursday night in the Dome means everything to Payton. Broncos 23-21.

Panthers, Oct. 27 – Mile High Mark as Broncos rout Carolina 45-6.

At Baltimore, Nov. 3 – Crabby cakes. Broncos fall 32-13.

At Kansas City, Nov. 10 – Broncos drop 17th of 18 to Chiefs 30-20.

Falcons, Nov. 17 – Just like Super Bowl 33 – 34-19.

At Las Vegas, Nov. 24 – Broncos fold like a poker player in cheap suit sitting in an aluminum chair with a pair of sevens, 17-14.

Browns, Dec. 2 – In a Monday night snowstorm Broncos bamboozle Browns 16-14.

Colts, Dec. 15 – Denver shuts out Indianapolis 23-0.

At Los Angeles, Dec. 22. Chargers get revenge in overtime 31-28.

At Cincinnati, Dec. 28 or 29 – Bengals bump Broncos 23-22.

Chiefs, Jan. 5 or 6 – in the frantic finale K.C. prevails with a field goal on the last play of the regular season 28-27.

Wanna bet 9-8 is better than 5.5?