Evans: For the Denver Broncos Sunday, a win is a win is a win

Sorry, I’m not interested in style points when it comes to the Denver Broncos 27-24 win over the Seattle Seahawks.

Sure, it shouldn’t have been that close. But in a game that I felt was a must win for the Broncos, all I care about is getting the win, especially when it comes to Week One in the NFL.

Who knows what the heck you’re going to get after a preseason in which regulars hardly play. Just give me the ‘W.’

Hot takes from the game:

» Case Keenum was the anti-Case from a year ago.

What happened to safe, efficient, game manager Case with the Vikings? He was replaced by gun-slinging, chance-taking, mistakes-making — but also big-play making — Case.

Which one do you want?

I’d like to see a little more of last year’s Case. Trust your playmakers to make the plays; don’t feel like you do.

» I’m excited by the 470 yards of total offense.

Going into the Monday night games, there were only four teams that put up more offense than the Broncos.

It shows the potential of the passing game. It shows the balance this offense is capable of — 39 passes and 32 runs. It also revealed there are more playmakers on this offense than we’ve seen the last couple of years.

» I love Phillip Lindsay.

I was banging the table for the Broncos to draft this guy back in March. I begged them to sign him as a free agent.

There are just too many Lindsay-type backs in the league excelling. I had no doubt he’d be able to do the same. But not even I could’ve imagined that kind of rookie debut.

Lindsay had 15 carries for 71 yards. Big-boy carries in there as well — running hard between the tackles. Two catches, including a touchdown. Oh, and for good measure, two tackles on special teams.

What a find for the Broncos.

» How ‘bout the contributions from the rookies?

My theme for the season is “the kids have to be alright. I can’t complain about what we saw in Game One.

A combined 30 carries for 142 yards from Lindsay and Royce Freeman. A combined six catches for 105 yards and a touchdown from Lindsay, Courtland Sutton, and Jake Butt (Yes, I consider him a rookie, and so should you.).

» Nothing makes a receiver happier than being well fed.

Something tells me Emmanuel Sanders is going to be the consummate team player with him getting 11 targets, 10 catches, 135 yards, and a touchdown.

I’ve always believed he would thrive as a slot receiver. Boy did he in this one.

» I still have concerns about this defense.

If Will Dissly is making big plays, what’s it going to look like when the Broncos face real NFL tight ends? That is still a glaring bugaboo for this defense — checking tight ends.

Also, the days of the “No Fly Zone” are over. I get it. Nothing like that lasts forever. Broncos still have to address some of the big passing plays they’ve been giving up over the last season-plus.

» That said, what a brilliant game plan and execution against Russell Wilson.

All week long, we heard about his mobility and keeping him in the pocket and staying disciplined in rushing him.

The result? Two measly runs for five yards and a whopping six sacks.

Those half-dozen sacks led to 56 lost yards. That’s huge in a three-point game.

» Kudos to the special teams.

They were much, much improved over a year ago.

Marquette King had three punts downed inside the 20-yard line, Tyler Lockett averaged less than four yards per punt return, and “Pacman Jones” looked spry on his punt returns.

Oh, and those two monster Brandon McManus field goals (51 and 53 yards). Huge, considering it was only a three-point game and Sebastian Janikowski missed one.

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