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The Broncos players have spoken so often during the off-season, at training camp and in the pre-season, it was as if they were trying to convince themselves of their ability to cope with adversity.
After taking a punch like a long touchdown, a weird wound or a missed call, they guaranteed a defense approach, not a step back.
And after unresolved mistakes in missed tackles, penalties and turnarounds, they promised a rebound attitude.
The evidence matched their remarks in Sunday's 27-24 win over Seattle.
Quarterback Case Keenum threw three interceptions, but answered with three touchdowns.
Receiver Demaryius Thomas overcame a precarious start (a fall and penalty) to catch the touchdown pass with 11:11 remaining.
Founder Royce Freeman won just 34 yards in her first 11 attempts, but gained 37 yards in four races to help bring the stopwatch late in the game.
And the defense allowed a 66-yard pass and a 51-yard touchdown, but shut the door in the last three possessions (kick, kick, interception), allowing only 64 yards and six sacks.
Maybe this Broncos team is different from the 5-11 last year, as it has been said since the first practice of the off-season on May 21st. Absolutely, but every team is. And for one game, it appeared that the Broncos could beat anyone, provided they settled their game.
"We have definitely overcome (adversity)," said linebacker Brandon Marshall. "Nobody came down. We just kept working and playing whatever the score. The fact that we continued to play and win the victory is a testament to our firm and unwavering attitude.
Coach Vance Joseph led a training camp at the end of July regarding the fight against adversity. It was also the theme of his speech to the team on Saturday night. The first game is like a rollercoaster. The starters are rusty because they have not played for two weeks. No one on either list played a full game so conditioning is a factor. And the element of surprise always causes anxiety.
"We talked about it (Saturday), when adversity shows its head, just play through it," Joseph said. "Last year, we had a few chances when adversity showed and we did not play."
Last year became a more distant memory because the Broncos managed to win their seventh consecutive game. Losing a Seattle team in transition at home and there would be a recurring story surrounding the Broncos. That would not have erased the foundation that Joseph has spent in the past nine months – new coaches, new players and new culture – but that would have been a blow.
Instead, the Broncos could leave the field in confidence, week 1 being the start of something very different, something more successful and more interesting. It was a team that pointed to the Seattle defense (470 yards) and decimated the Seahawks offensive line, led by the three bags of Von Miller.
The match featured two draws (7-7 and 17-17) and three lead changes (Broncos 14-10, 24-20 Seattle and the final score). Keenum's first interception ended Russell Wilson's touchdown pass (15 yards). His second interception cleared a scoring opportunity before half-time and his third scored the 20-yard touchdown from former Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall.
Seattle took a 24-20 lead with 14:46 left on Tyler Lockett's 51-yard touchdown.
The game was to be played out in two ways: the Broncos would bend or flourish.
They prospered.
In subsequent possession, rookies Phillip Lindsay (14 yards) and Courtland Sutton (25 yards) moved the Broncos into the Seahawks' territory. They overcame a penalty on left-footer Ron Leary to convert a third and tenth in Jake Butt's 22-yard effort. A game later, Thomas ended his turnaround when he managed to catch up with Keenum's fastball for a four-yard score.
"It was a piece designed for Demaryius to sell the fade and come back (to the balloon)," Keenum said. "I just said that it was difficult as I could."
Keenum (25 of 39 for 329 yards), Thomas (six catches-63 yards) and receiver Emmanuel Sanders (43 yards in a game of 10 catches, 135 yards) represented the offensive veterans. The recruits were also impressive. Lindsay and Freeman rushed for 71 yards and Sutton caught two catches.
The defenders of the Broncos have not let him go, which qualifies him as encouraging and makes them think that they can regain the status of elite. The last three Seattle possessions ended in failure, failure, and an expired interception. Bags from Miller and cornerback Chris Harris and tackle from defense Derek Wolfe. Wilson finished with 19 of 33 passes for 298 yards, but was often besieged.
"It shows what kind of defense and what kind of team we have," said nose tackle Domata Peko. "We had a good chip on our shoulder trying to get started quickly."
Starting fast was exciting … and a relief. But now, the Broncos can settle in their season with dynamism and confidence in their playmakers.
"It's really exciting to give up on that," said Darian Stewart. "Now we are ready to roll."
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