Pritchard: If Broncos lose Sunday, fans will have to ‘trust the process’

If it all goes wrong on Sunday, “Pritchard and Cecil” co-host Mike Pritchard said on Friday, big changes would be coming to the Denver Broncos.

A loss to the Houston Texans would be a “confirmation” for the Broncos, Pritchard said, but not exactly the one they were looking for.

“With a 3-6 record, what happens next,” Pritchard said. “With seven games remaining, the Broncos would have to somehow manage to win five of them. I don’t see how that’s possible.”

Forget the playoffs, Pritchard said. A loss means Denver will struggle just to save face on questions of legacy, like avoiding back-to-back losing seasons for the first time since 1972.

“Certainly, you want to protect the statement that Mr. B (owner Pat Bowlen) has as he goes into the Hall of Fame. He has been to more Super Bowls than having losing seasons. But you’re well on your way to ending that if you lose on Sunday,” Pritchard said.

Excitement about the 2018 rookie class would take a “backseat” to anticipation about how the Broncos front office will go about remedying the team’s losing ways, Pritchard said.

“That includes coaches. That includes players. Avoiding more losing seasons down the line. So, everybody’s going to be intrigued about that,” Pritchard said. “To me, if it all goes wrong on Sunday, that’s just the start.

“A loss on Sunday will force the Broncos to have to rebuild their entire franchise.”

How long it takes, Pritchard said, is unknown.

“It’ll become a process,” Pritchard said. “And Broncos Country, I guess you’re going to have to trust the process.”

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.