NFL Free Agency 2013: Does Wes Welker Make Denver Broncos Favorite To Win Super Bowl?

It was a trade that has changed the landscape in the AFC.

After six seasons in New England, during which he helped the Patriots make two Super Bowl appearances and three trips to the AFC title game, Wes Welker decided that New England's best contract offer to him (that they were willing to give) was simply not good enough.

Now, instead of fielding passes from Tom Brady, the five-time Pro Bowl tight end with the explosive step and Velcro-like hands will switch to catching throws from superstar quarterback Peyton Manning as Welker signed a two-year, $12 million deal with the Denver Broncos Thursday.

Welker's signing parts Welker from Brady, who together formed one of the NFL's most feared and successful pass-catch combos for years. To counter, the Pats signed St. Louis wide receiver Danny Amendola, a four-year pro who caught 63 passes for 666 yards in 11 and three touchdowns in 2012.

Looking to go with the younger Amendola, 27, the Patriots signed him to a five-year, $31 million deal--$10 million of it guaranteed.

While Amendola, a former college standout, has youth and potential on his side, as well as New England's, Welker's impressive pedigree as arguably the best slot receiver in the NFL today upgrades the Broncos' weaponry to Super Bowl-caliber levels as the Broncos already have Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker, both of whom caught for 1,000 yards or more last season.

Broncos executive vice president of football operations and former NFL legend John Elway knows how valuable adding Welker is to the Broncos' title hopes.

"Any time you can take a player from a team you have to compete against, it helps, especially the caliber of Wes Welker," Elway told ESPN. "New England is there year in and year out, and that's a team we have to beat to get where we want to get."

Paired with Manning, who finished second in MVP voting after throwing for 4,659 yards with 37 touchdowns last season, and backed by a stiff Broncos defense that was ranked second overall in the league in 2012, the Broncos are looking like clear favorites to reach the Super Bowl from the AFC in 2013 this season.

It would be hard to discount the Patriots, as they still have Brady in their corner, as well as a brilliant coach in Bill Belichek and other offensive weapons such as Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. They have plenty of experience and are still stacked to the gills with talent. However, part of their success will ride on how well Amendola will fill in for Welker.

Amendola is coming off of triceps surgery in October, and seemed to recover nicely from November onwards. But he is still unproven and untested, and while he could conceivably be a fine replacement for Welker, Amendola could just as well be a bust in the long run.

There are fewer question marks with the Broncos. On a team without Welker, the Broncos finished 13-3 last season and only fell short of reaching the AFC title game because they ran into a team of destiny in the motivated Baltimore Ravens, who are weaker now after linebacker great Ray Lewis has retired and WR Anquan Boldin flew the roost to San Francisco. With the addition of Welker, who has made the Pro Bowl every year since 2008, odds are looking better for Manning and the Broncos, who are hoping to be stamping their tickets to East Rutherford, N.J., next February for Super Bowl XLVIII.