Case Keenum’s three interceptions weren't pretty, but they are encouraging

DENVER — Front flips into the end zone, 43-yard touchdowns and an explosive offense. What is this, arena football? The New England Patriots? Backyard ball?

No, it’s the 2018 Denver Broncos.

But with all of the flash and shine, there was a dark, dark cloud hanging over the Broncos’ offense: Three Case Keenum interceptions.

“It is on us. We have to be able to take care of the football,” Emmanuel Sanders said after he pulled in 10 catches for 135 yards and a touchdown. “It feels good to have a win, but at the end of the day, we cannot expect to have three turnovers and win all the ballgames. Seattle was a good team, but we made it a lot easier for them. We gave them about 17 points, and we cannot do that.”

After the game, Keenum stood on the podium and put all of the blame on his shoulders, including the pass to Demaryius Thomas where the veteran receiver never looked for the ball.

The 30-year-old quarterback called his three interceptions “a couple of bad reads.”

“Just trying to make the big play when we don’t need to,” Keenum said, explaining what happened on the interceptions. “I think two of them were first downs, another we’re in a two-minute drive already moved the ball down the field, and we’ve got three points in our back pocket. That takes three points off the board. I think the other two they scored on. So that’s 17 points that I’m responsible for.

“I know that. I realize that. It’s something I’m going to fix and be better at.”

The dark, stormy cloud would have been the biggest thunder storm this town has seen in quite some time if the outcome of the game was different, too.

But it wasn’t.

And that shouldn’t be overlooked as Keenum, and the Broncos held off the Seattle Seahawks 27-24 on Sunday.

In fact, the Broncos 1-0 record despite three interceptions should be viewed in glowing light.

Through the first 38 minutes of the game, Case had three interceptions, one in each of the first three quarters. But when it mattered the most, he locked it down, not throwing a pick for the team’s final 22 minutes.

Yet despite all three interceptions, the offense looked remarkably better than what this town has had to endure over the past two seasons.

Not since the Peyton Manning Era has Denver put up more than 464 yards of offense. Sunday, they put up 470.

“We have an explosive offense,” Sanders said following the win. “We have playmakers.”

The Broncos scored 14 or more points in the first half twice last season — In Week 1 and Week 2. They put 17 on the board in the first half on Sunday.

“We’ve got a lot of weapons,” Keenum said.

Denver’s 27 points against the Seahawks were more points than they scored in all but one game last year.

“Case has given life to those two guys,” Joseph said, talking about Sanders and Thomas. “I’m expecting big years from both players.”

Need more proof the offense is significantly improved? Their 297 first half yards were more yards than the team had in five entire games last year.

“I’m really excited about how good this football team can be,” Keenum said with excitement. “I take care of the ball — those are all on me — we’re going to be really, really hard to beat.”

There’s certainly a case for that.

The good news for the Broncos is this carelessness with the football isn’t typical for their signal caller.

Sunday was only the second time Keenum’s had more than two interceptions in a game in his career. Look no further than last season to find out he isn’t an interception machine as he had only seven interceptions in 14 regular-season games.

What may have been the most encouraging part about all of this isn’t what the offense did, but what the defense did.

Last year, the Broncos weren’t shy about turning the ball over as they had the second-most turnovers in the league.

The defense was nearly as disappointing in this area in 2017, having the seventh-fewest takeaways.

Sunday was different as Denver’s defense had their quarterback’s back, forcing three turnovers to put the team at even on the night.

“They did a great job today. They saved my butt,” Keenum said, talking about his defense. “Great team win.”

All of this raises the fair question: If the offense performs the way it did on Sunday with Keenum going back to his turnover-limiting self, just how good can they be?

“I’m excited I think we’re going to be a really good football team,” Keenum proudly said. “I think we are a really good football team.”