Evans: Broncos victory over Redskins a ‘back away from the ledge’ win

Aug 27, 2018, 8:48 PM

Running back Royce Freeman #37 and quarterback Case Keenum #4 of the Denver Broncos head to the sideline after his touchdown run against the Washington Redskins at FedExField stadium in Landover, Maryland. August 24, 2018 (Photo by Joe Amon/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

(Photo by Joe Amon/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

The Denver Broncos 29-17 victory over the Washington Redskins on Friday was a “back away from the ledge” win for Broncos Country.

Denver’s first two preseason games caused anxiety, uncertainty, and downright pessimism. The Broncos needed to show something against the Redskins in which fans could feel good about.

Mission accomplished.

It’s only preseason, but it is the one preseason game the NFL tends to take seriously. So, I can’t just blow off all the good things the Broncos did.

For example:

» The offense under Case Keenum showed life.

There was balance. There were two scoring drives. In order for the Broncos to get to 10 wins this offense needs to average 24 points per game.

That looked like a 24 points per game offense.

» I guess it’s a nitpick, but I still wish Keenum had thrown at least one touchdown pass during the preseason.

I’m all for his efficiency, third-down passing, and avoiding mistakes, but I still need to see some honest-to-goodness passing playmaking for my $20 million a year quarterback.

» I believe the idea of building a run-first offense is outdated.

You still pass to score. But for a team like the Broncos, trying to become at least an average scoring team means they need to run the football.

And after a game like Friday’s, at least I am comforted by the idea offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave won’t abandon the run like Mike McCoy foolishly did last year.

» I love Andy Janovich.

I love fullbacks. I love what they can bring to an offense. Watching Janovich clear out that linebacker to clear the way for the Royce Freeman touchdown run was a thing of beauty.

» Cortland Sutton over/under for rookie season receiving yards?

Discuss.

» Here’s a couple of thoughts on “Pacman” Jones signing.

Signing Tremaine Brock, drafting Issac Yiadom, trading for Su’a Cravens, and now signing Pacman, wouldn’t it have just been easier to hold onto Aqib Talib?

» I’m amused at all the hand-wringing over the “character issues” surrounding “Pacman.”

Newsflash: The Broncos are a “classy” organization because they’ve won a lot. They’re not classy because they’ve always had choir boys.

Real good Bronco teams had bad apples. Just because a guy may act in a way that makes society blanch, it doesn’t mean he can’t be beloved in an NFL locker room.

» Yes, I have some concerns about the Broncos secondary.

But that front-seven may be so lethal it won’t really matter. If the Broncos offense can give this defense a lead, watch out.

» I feel a little better about Vance Joseph at the helm.

What about you?