Clayton: The preseason is proof that Vic Fangio is in win-now mode

It’s pretty obvious that Vic Fangio is in win-now mode.

He’s certainly shown that in the first two preseason games. The Broncos blew out the Minnesota Vikings, 33-6. On Saturday, they blew out the Seattle Seahawks, 30-3.

In both games, Fangio was aggressive. He went for four fourth downs in the Seattle game, with Denver converting three times. He was 0-for-2 in the Vikings game.

Fangio knows he must win this season. Thanks to the work of general manager George Paton, the Broncos roster is loaded. They have the best secondary in the league, a talented defense all round, the sixth-best group of pass catchers in the NFL, a deep backfield and a good offensive line. The Broncos are in position to make a playoff run.

A losing season won’t settle. So Fangio wants to get his team in the winning mode.

That has been impressive in the first two preseason wins. The key is carrying the success over into the regular season.

The Broncos also get a break because their fourth-place finish in 2020 gives them the fifth-easiest schedule in 2021. That’ll help the wins stack up.

One thing Fangio keeps saying is how even that battle is at quarterback. Although it looked as though Drew Lock was set to win the job if things went well in Seattle, now you can see that battle should continue for another week.

Teddy Bridgewater was very good against the Seahawks. He started and drove the team to touchdown drives in two series. Bridgewater played into the middle of the second quarter. Lock came in with the backups and struggled before eventually getting better as the game went on.

Bridgewater finished 9-of-11 for 105 yards. Lock was 9-of-114 for 80 yards and was sacked twice. The battle continues.

The winner may be whoever gets the Broncos the best chance win right now. It’s clear that’ what Vic Fangio cares about.