Schlereth: Time to recognize Broncos as ‘legit football team’

Though an offseason that saw the retirement of a future NFL Hall of Famer and the departure of several players from a Super Bowl winning team. Through a preseason with a quarterback battle that ousted a veteran in favor of two QBs with a combined zero NFL regular season passes. Through a serious injury to its defensive captain and team leader DeMarcus Ware.

The Denver Broncos are 2-0.

So, is it time for a Broncos team that was given 20 to 1 odds of repeating as Super Bowl champion (10th in the NFL) to get the respect of a top tier club?

Mark Schlereth says yes.

The “Schlereth and Evans” co-host implored people Monday — after Denver’s 34-21 victory over the Indianapolis Colts following a win over the Carolina Panthers to open the NFL season — to give the Broncos their props.

“Nationally, can we start actually recognizing that the Denver Broncos are a legit football team? Can we start recognizing that?” Schlereth said. “We knew they had a great defense, and, yes, offensively they’ve made some mistakes in the red zone. They’ve turned the ball over. But they have the potential to blow people out.”

As of Monday afternoon, Denver’s one of just eight undefeated teams (with a 1-0 Philadelphia playing on Monday Night Football).

And sure, the Broncos have had to rely on its defense in its first two wins of the season, but Schlereth said it’s a team effort that has Denver rolling in its title defense.

“Offense doesn’t win championships. Defense doesn’t win championships. Special teams does not win championships,” Schlereth said. “Complete football teams win championships, and you should have learned that last year by watching this Broncos team play.”

Check out more of Schlereth’s “Clear the Air” segment here: