Right there. The win was right there. All quarterback Case Keenum had to do was not overthrow a wide-open Demaryius Thomas along the sideline. There was maybe 30 seconds left in the game. Broncos were deep in Kansas City territory.
But Keenum overthrew it.
The Kansas City Chiefs came into Mile High Field and walked out with a 27-23 win after a heartbreaking game for the Broncos. While a myriad of small issues combined to lead to the four-point loss, Broncos fans can take away one clear thing: Phillip Lindsay is a stud.
A pair of rookies led the Broncos on the ground and got both TDs for the boys in blue Monday night. Royce Freeman, a pick up out of Oregon, had eight carries for 67 yards and a touchdown.
Lindsay, who went to high school in Denver and played for CU Boulder, had 12 carries for 69 yards and another touchdown. Lindsay is the team leader in rushing so far this season, which 267 rushing yards and a touchdown over 45 attempts and four games.
The 24-year-old was born in Aurora, Colorado before attending South High School to play running back, just like his dad. He also wore his father's number in high school, number 22. Though, for the Broncos, he wears number 30.
MIKE KLIS | Bronco Notes: T.D. believes Lindsay can hold up
After South, Lindsay went north about 40 minutes to attend the University of Colorado Boulder and, over four years, set the school record for all-purpose yards with 5,760.
Then he went undrafted.
But the Broncos took him on and gave him a shot in preseason. He became a sensation for fans and media outlets (like this one) - and hasn't taken his foot off the gas since. Sure, he's not turning heads like Ezekiel Elliot his first year - but Zeke was expected to be great.
And sure, the Week 3 ejection for throwing some punches in a pile wasn't a great look, but a passionate rookie running back? Not a terrible thing to have. Plus, 9NEWS Broncos Insider Mike Klis thinks the officials missed a few things anyway, so that's moot.'
PHOTOS | Denver Broncos battle KC Chiefs at Mile High
Six months ago, no one but fans of the Buffaloes even knew who Lindsay was. Now, for sure, at least the 75,000 Broncos fans in attendance Monday night remember the hope he gave them. Sure, the Broncos lost, but, as Keenum said in the post-game press conference - the players are going to get up on Tuesday ready to get after it. Ready to win.
And with Lindsay and Freeman in the backfield, they've always got a shot (to say nothing of their still-incredible defense).
For any Lindsay haters out there, here's my Twitter handle and my email address. Let's chat.
