Weathering Victories - A Bronco Fan's Guide to Coping with Success

My Fellow Denver Bronco Fans,

Now that we’re 8 and 5 I can now make this post as we are now assured a non-losing season.  With eight victories under our belt I woke up this morning with and noticed my walk had a little swagger to it.  My phone blew up as I was trying to extricate myself from the house to get to work, my bronco buddies were eager to report  their excitement about the Broncos recent success.  Even my mother, who (jokingly) swore the team off after our loss to the Raiders had come back around.  Like a snowball rolling down a slope, each Bronco win builds momentum and excitement for the rest of the regular season and beyond.  Each win means something. 

THE WIN

The question is:  Is it better to win by 30 or have an exciting close game that ends in a last second “Toro” type field goal?  Answer:  Though the last second heroics make for good lore, it is always better to beat the pee out of someone.  Our two best games this year was in week one when be destroyed the Raiders and the a couple weeks back when we killed the Jets.  These were decisive victories that allowed us to relax a little and not have an aneurism realizing that there is still five minutes left in the 4th quarter and anything can happen.

Now, once the victory has occurred all is right in the world.  The sun shines a little brighter...  You’re not so concerned with all that pesky credit card debt you’re racking up for the holidays... Even your wife is a little hotter... Everything is okay!  Once the game is over you switch it to NBC for Football Night in America to watch the highlights of the game you just watched.  “See that?  We killed ‘em.”  You savor that win for all it’s worth. It’s even better if there is footage of an opposing player/coach crying, freaking out or screaming.   The only thing better than that is seeing the opposing player/coach’s wives or family look soooooo disappointed... Crying is even better.  Post game press conferences are great.  My favorite line this year?  Jay Cutler’s “Eddie Royal beat Deangelo Hall time after time after time after time... That’s what happened.”  The morning following the win you got sports radio on in the shower and in the car.  You get to work to check the standings.  Silently you complain to yourselves that when the rankings come out tomorrow the Broncos still won’t get the respect they deserve (“How can the freakin’ Cowboys be ranked higher than us?!).  You look at the remaining games on the schedule and start calculating your projected record for the Broncos.  Will we be that good?  Will be get the second seed in the playoffs?  Will freaking San Diego just give up the ghost already?!?    

THE CURVE

Now, depending on which win it is, the level of the joy rapidly increases with each passing victory. Timing is key with these now.  The first wins are only meaningful if you get them early in the season.  Well... Except maybe the first one...  I know Miami was super pumped when they won their game last year...  I mean look at all the momentum they built going into this year!  Okay, bad example.

Win 1:  Hopefully this happens in week 1.  The first win is, by definition, the least exciting of all wins.  Phew... We’re not going to be winless this year. Ahem... Detroit.  But, it’s only the first win and to be honest we’re gunning for more than just one.

Win 2: The second win is a little more serious. Dude, that’s two!  We might be on to something here.  Depending on who you beat for the first two wins, you can start to be pumped... Provided the second win comes before week 6 and the wins weren’t against the Bengals or the Lions.

Win 3: Now we’re talking!  Three wins?  Looks like we won’t be drafting in the top five this year!

Win 4 & 5:   These are ones where you start to watch the rankings and shoot incendiary emails to those that make them.   “Hey Bonehead!  How could you dare put the Browns ahead of us!  Are you crazy?!”   You start to think that all your skill players are something special... Then you realize... THEY ARE!  Because you have wins four and five under your belt.  Now?  You’re probably not drafting in the top ten.

Win 6:  This is the win when you start looking beyond.  Oh man!  We’ve got six wins?  That’s almost 8 wins!  A non-losing record!  But, let’s not get ahead of ourselves.  We’ve got two more to go!  Hopefully this win isn’t in week 17 when the playoffs are out of reach and the opposing team is resting their starters. You start looking at the calendar... Maybe we shouldn’t go visit the in-laws on MLK weekend...

Win 7: Man!  We could really make some noise here!  How many games are left?  Really?!  Man, we’re looking good here!  The division title may be in our grasp!  Keep up the good work Broncs!

Win 8:  Eight is a magical number. We’re not going to have a losing season.  It’s a win where you look forward and not back. A milestone.  The Broncos won’t be losers this year!  This minor success is a great comfort. With a cocky attitude, you can’t wait to see how good your boys are going to be.  Heck, some teams get a wildcard berth with 8 wins!

Win 9: Dude!  We’re one away from another milestone.  Double digits!  The playoffs are looking more and more like a reality. 

Win 10: Yeah baby!  We’re going to the playoffs!  We’re going to play the Colts?  What could possibly go wrong?

Win 11:  We’re unstoppable.  If we’re not at the top of the rankings those that create them should expect some serious hate mail.  Superbowl?

Win 12: We’re incredible! Superbowl.

Win 13: SUPERBOWL!!!!

Win 14: We’re going to Disneyland!

Win 15 & 16: Hopefully these wins come in the playoffs and superbowl.  They are the greatest wins any Bronco fan can imagine.  Mmmmm.... Wins fifteen and sixteen.... mmmmmmmm.

CONCLUSION

Winning is awesome.  It puts spring in your step and makes watching the NFL Network and listening to the radio more fun.   As we stand atop the AFC West at our milestone 8 wins I am excited. The playoffs are right around the corner and as of right now, it looks like we’re going to participate... Possibly as a third seed.  Heck!  If we take care of business down the stretch we may even be able to get a first round bye.....  Oh man, wouldn’t that be awesome!  Winning is totally kick-ass.

J