Horse Tracks: First weekend without Broncos football hits different

Horse Tracks: First weekend without Broncos football hits different
Mile High Report Mile High Report

Just like that, it was over.

After all the division round games this weekend, I couldn’t help but notice that the boys in orange and blue were nowhere to be found.

For the first time in a long time the Broncos season actually lasted longer than the regular season. While Denver was turned away by a team playing in the AFC Championship next week, there is nothing to be bummed about.

This year’s Broncos were so much fun to watch. Bo Nix is clearly the guy to run Sean Payton’s offense. The defense under Vance Joseph will only get better (assuming he doesn’t get poached to become a head coach).

With plenty of cap space and a full bevy of draft picks in this year’s draft, the Broncos are poised to make the changes that will make them relevant, if not dominant, for years to come.

While there was no Broncos football this weekend, there’s nothing to be sad about. What’s being built in Denver is special. Buckle up for what could be the most exciting Broncos offseason in a decade.

HORSE TRACKS

Why many of Colorado's professional sports teams have 'Denver' in their name
The answer to that question lies both in how old a franchise is, and how modern sports facilities are funded by tax dollars.

Denver Broncos running back situation | 9news.com
The Broncos need a running back who can go the distance to improve the team's running game. Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime.

Bills' defense fueled by naysayers in win vs. Jackson, Ravens - ESPN
The Bills' defensive players used questions about how they would perform against Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, running back Derrick Henry and the rest of the Baltimore offense to help fuel Sunday's win.

Baltimore Ravens refuse to blame Mark Andrews for loss - ESPN
Lamar Jackson, John Harbaugh and the Baltimore Ravens did not blame Mark Andrews' dropped pass on a two-point conversion for the club's 27-25 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Sunday's AFC divisional round game, a contest in which the tight end also fumbled.

Eagles vs. Rams score, takeaways: Saquon Barkley's historic playoff effort carries Philly to NFC Championship - CBSSports.com
Philadelphia is returning to the NFC title game

NFC divisional round: Eagles' Saquon Barkley runs into NFL history books with second 200-yard game vs. Rams - CBSSports.com
Barkley's 205 yards rushing are the fifth most in a playoff game in NFL history

Rams' Matthew Stafford will 'take some time' to mull future after playoff loss to Eagles, 16th NFL season - CBSSports.com
Stafford, 36, says he has a decision to make

Ravens coach John Harbaugh defends Mark Andrews after drop vs. Bills: 'We wouldn't be here without Mark' - CBSSports.com
Andrews couldn't come up clutch when it mattered most for Baltimore

Ravens' Lamar Jackson expresses frustration after sloppy playoff loss to Bills: 'Hold on to the f---ing ball' - CBSSports.com
Baltimore committed three turnovers in the loss

[NFL community honors legacy of Martin Luther King Jr....