Evans: Broncos quarterback Case Keenum is who I thought he was

Here are my hot sports opinions from another “could’ve, should’ve” Broncos loss:

» Case Keenum has to make that throw to Demaryius Thomas.

That’s a game winner. That’s a signature win for Keenum and a signature win for Vance Joseph.

No excuses. Don’t give me this nonsense about DT running a better route. He was wide open.

A competent NFL quarterback makes that throw. You don’t have to be a franchise quarterback to make that throw. You don’t have to be elite. A competent QB makes that throw.

» Four games in, Keenum is 2-2 with three touchdowns and six picks.

I’ve said since Day 1 that I thought last year was a fluke for Keenum.

So far, I’m not wrong.

» I said going into this game Von Miller would have to be the best player on the field.

He wasn’t.

In the fourth quarter, as Patrick Mahomes was making plays, Miller was either nowhere to be found or breathing Mahomes’ exhaust fumes as the young quarterback ran away.

Miller finished with one tackle and no sacks.

Right now, reputation only is what keeps Miller in the discussion for the best defensive players in the game.

» I’m already hearing the calls for Vance Joseph’s head after this one.

But riddle me this: In the fourth quarter of a game you had in your grasp, your two highest paid players — Miller and Keenum — failed to come through, and this is all the coach’s fault?

» I’m already eating crow on Mahomes.

I didn’t think he’d be this good this fast.

I guffawed last week when a Kansas City spy of mine reported Kansas City sports talk radio was saying the Chiefs have their John Elway in Mahomes.

That being said, damn, there were moments in the fourth when he looked downright Elway-esque with some of those throws he was making outside the pocket.

» The “Showtime” nickname for Mahomes?

Ugh. Gross.

» Blaming the officials for a loss is the loser’s lament.

OK, so the play clock did hit zero. The refs screwed up. So that would’ve made it third-and-12.

Kansas City just climbed out of a second-and-30 with two plays equaling 58 yards.

You think they would’ve been sweating a third-and-12?

» Me being a half glass full kind of guy …

I choose to look at all the positive things the Broncos did to almost beat two teams in the Baltimore Ravens and Chiefs, who now have a combined 7-1 record.

There’s a lot to build on moving forward.

» Just don’t lose to the Jets.