Luck had nothing to do with the Broncos' victory over the Jets

On Sunday, the Denver Broncos won on the road against the Jets 10-9. Unlike last week's high-scoring offensive game against the Buccaneers, this game was anything but. A disappointing first half yielded more negative pass yards than points. The second half was more about defense and missed field goals than anything else.

Heading into the 2024 season, most Broncos fans would say it's not so important to win now, but to create the conditions for long-term success with Bo Nix. This was one of those developmental games. The kind of game that builds a young quarterback's character.

The rain. The street. Injuries. There were all sorts of reasons why the Broncos could justify showing up and losing, as they have done so many times over the past nearly decade since Super Bowl 50.

Yes, the missed field goals decided this game, but let's be honest. This was exactly the kind of game the Broncos could have-would have-lost last year. Some fans called it luck, but it's much more than that. For the first time in a long time, the Broncos faced adversity and fought back.

Sure, Bo Nix struggled, but we've seen worse games with more experienced quarterbacks who didn't win. Yes, there was a time when Joe Flacco (before his current renaissance) Case Keenum lost games like that for the Broncos.

Here's the fun fact people don't talk about: Nix got his first passing touchdown, tying Marlin Briscoe's record of 14 touchdown passes for a Broncos rookie (still 13!).

Guys, developments are going in the right direction and it's good to see it. Yesterday's game was one that previous Broncos teams probably would have lost. Instead, Denver emerged victorious from the away trip despite bad weather. Even though it was ugly, consider yesterday's victory a victory. You deserve it, Broncos Country!

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