After snapping a losing streak that lasted for two months, Broncos head coach Vance Joseph discussed the state of his team following their 23-0 victory over the Jets on Sunday.
“It’s fun to win,” Joseph said. “It’s been a long time, and it’s fun to watch the players in the locker room celebrate after two months of playing hard and working hard with no success. It was fun to watch the guys celebrate, smile and to have game balls again. It’s been a long time.”
Playing with an significant, early lead for the first time in weeks, Joseph noted how Denver’s fierce pass rush could finally be unleashed. “Our defense can be a difference with a lead because now we can dictate and not be so aggressive, where we can give up a play or two. But we can dictate versus pressure or coverage, and that’s when you’re playing dominant defense.”
It’ll be a short week for the Broncos, who travel to Indianapolis to face a three-win Colts team on Thursday Night Football. Joseph, after suffering through eight-week skid that the Broncos finally stopped on Sunday, won’t take anything for granted. “This [Colts] football team has played hard all year. Their record doesn’t speak to it, but they’ve played in tight games all year. Even yesterday with that snow storm [in Buffalo], it was a one-possession game the whole game. They had a two-point play that put them up that was called back. It was a game that they should have probably won. All games are tough. It’s going to be a tough out.”
Joseph went on to single out the play of Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett, a two-way threat who seems to be improving with time under center. “He’s a good, young quarterback. He’s smart and tough. He can scramble with the football. He’s rushed for over 245 yards. It’s always a fine line between rushing past guys and having a rush plan. But you don’t want your guys to be so cautious about his scramble ability and not get after him. It’s fine line between being scared of a guy’s legs versus rushing the guy.”
After losing for eight straight weeks, Joseph recognizes how quickly the narrative surrounding the season can change. “For us, it’s an opportunity to win two games in five days. We’re going to embrace this. It’s a good deal for our football team. Winning is important. If it’s Thursday or Sunday, let’s win a football game.”
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