Normally, the Broncos overcome a slow start by finishing with a flurry and recently, with a win.

Sunday against the Patriots, the Broncos started strong but then faded, thanks in large part to three second quarter turnovers which the Patriots turned into 13 points, en route to a 27-16 halftime lead.

Losses are hard enough to take. Losses in which a team feels its own mistakes played a pivotal role are even tougher to swallow.

Yet, despite falling to the Patriots, the Broncos are still in good shape to make the playoffs. They are still on track to win the division.

A football coach that I respect a great deal (and someone who has forgotten more football than I’ll ever dream of knowing) once told me that football is the greatest team sport.

The Denver Broncos are proving to be a perfect example of just how true that is.

The Broncos’ overtime win over the Chargers on Sunday proved to be another example of how well they are playing together as a team. When they need a play on defense, somebody makes one. When they need a big play on offense, someone steps up to provide it. When it’s time for the special teams to come through, someone does just that.

Broncos’ head coach John Fox has been beating the drum all week: The entire team must improve. That includes all the coaches and all the players, not just the starting quarterback.

“We have to improve as a football team,” Fox said. “We need to improve as coaches. We weren’t very good last time out and we’ve got something to prove this time out.”

Count offensive coordinator Mike McCoy, who has received his share of play-calling criticism this week, as among those who hope to have learned from the first time the Broncos played the Raiders back in week one.

Three games decided by a total of eight points.

Yet you’d think Chicken Little has taken up residence in Denver.

No, I’m not deluding myself. I’m not kidding myself. I’m just exhaling a bit. If you’re distraught over the Broncos’ 1-2 start, try it. It’ll help.