I’m going to harden my Orange and Blue heart

“Darlin’, in your wildest dreams, you never had a clue

But it’s time you got the news

I’m gonna harden my heart

I’m gonna swallow my tears

I’m gonna turn and leave you here”

• Harden My Heart, Quarterflash, 1981

Two years ago all of my Super Bowl preparations were perfect. My chair was positioned strategically for a premium view of my HD flat screen. I had wings and little smokies and finger foods galore and a big cooler packed with ice and beer. My crisp new fitted Broncos sideline cap was perched perfectly atop my head; my shiny new Broncos sweatshirt looked sharp and my team flag waved proudly in the breeze in front of my home. Everything was ready but me.

That 2013 Broncos team mowed down opponents weekly. They were stacked. The Broncos offense could and would score at will – even against the vaunted Seahawks defense. There was absolutely no reason to worry that the Broncos wouldn’t dominate Super Bowl XLVIII.

But they got killed.

Seemingly every single thing that could possibly go wrong did for the Broncos two years ago and I, like many residents of Broncos Country, was woefully unprepared to see them get slaughtered. I was an emotional wreck from the opening snap to the final whistle and for weeks afterward. I simply couldn’t believe what had happened. I couldn’t cope.

I can’t go through that again, you guys. I’m going to harden my Orange and Blue heart.

This time I will be braced for crushing loss. I’m not expecting one – I have predicted that the Broncos will prevail and I sincerely believe that they will – 27 to 24 – over the Carolina Panthers – but if they don’t I won’t be affected in the same way. I have been on this roller coaster before and I know the feeling in my gut when it stops climbing and turns into a hairy, curving dive. I’ll be holding on tightly to my emotions this time. I’ll be ready.

The Golden Super Bowl is going to be a heck of a ride. So many magical things are possible if the outcome is right. Peyton Manning can go out on top just like Elway did. Old number 7 can join the ranks of Championship GMs and become the first to hoist the Lombardi as both a quarterback and an executive – and he can do it with Gary Kubiak and Wade Phillips at his side.

A win will quite simply be the biggest in the history of Denver sports – bigger even (maybe) than Super Bowl XXXII.

A loss will be more tragic for the historical opportunities unrealized than for the current team. These Broncos can hold their heads high regardless of the outcome of this one game. No matter what they will have gone to the big one twice on four seasons under Peyton Manning and they will have rocked the AFC West to its foundations for a fifth straight season. They’ll have nothing to be ashamed of and their fans will have no reason to be devastated. Not like last time. This time they’re dogs.

This Broncos team has fought and scrapped and won close, tough games with grit and passion. They have earned the admiration of the football universe even if they’re not being given much of a chance to win the big game. Winning the Super Bowl will only be the cherry on top of what has already been a magical season.

At least that’s what I keep telling myself.

I’m approaching this one differently. My emotional defenses are ready. I have my snacks. I have my beer. I’ll have my friends and my family around me. I’m going to harden my heart, though. This time my emotions will be ready, too.