The off season and preseason were days where the fans of MHR tried to determine how many wins the Broncos might be able to pull off during the regular season. Among the factors that were discussed were the state of the defense, Orton's ability to lead the offense, Marshall's eventful off season, the new coaching staff and the schedule - which appeared fairly daunting before week one.

There were plenty of pundits and people who didn't know anything about this team who suggested that with a tough schedule, the Broncos would count a successful year one in which they were about to win 6 games. Others figured that at 8-8, this team would be better than last year's because of so many elite opponents. The 13-3 crowd was unfazed, and we should examine why.

Before the season, many thought that San Diego, Dallas, NYG, Indy, New England, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Philly would all be in the playoff hunt. Should that have intimidated the Broncos when they had such low expectations? Couldn't they have just wished for the Chargers' schedule (or New England's for that matter!) which appeared easier when Denver should have had the division's second place schedule? Because Miami and Tennessee finished about the Pats and the Colts respectively last year, Denver got the 'second place' teams.

Coach didn't complain. He talked about playing physical, smart football, preparing and winning games. And that has happened. As a result, this team has improved each week - dating back to the preseason. And the schedule does allow for us to have a bigger challenge each week.

We can agree that the offense wasn't really clicking at Cincy, and that the Cleveland and Raider game allowed the team to settle into good habits. Then the Cowboys were stopped in the second half and Marshall was added back into the offense. Then Coach introduced his old team to the Wild Horse(s). And last week, we got the revenge game at San Diego. It bodes well for our future tests on the calendar.

Steel gets forged at high temperatures which gives it its strength. Glass is tempered by the same process so it can avoid shattering. Tough upper-level college courses prepare students for the real world. These analogies are all the same. The point is, an easy schedule might not have counted for as much. Maybe wins could have come easier, but this team has sites set on something beyond Week 17.

In all reality, by the time playoffs are here, the Broncos might face an opponent they had seen in the regular season. You've seen how this coaching staff reacts in second halves so far right? Advantage Broncos. If they get to play against a team that they were challenged by in the regular season, they can prepare and beat them. How much do you think the Pats game against the Bucs is gonna help them long term? I'll yolk my wagon to Coach McDaniels and crew.

I, for one, am happy that we have regular season challenges, and think we have a chance to win every week. And with the lessons being learned by this team, I think that could continue well into January of next year.

Bring on your toughest teams, NFL! We will do our job, and be ready.

Go Broncos!