ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Broncos entered October with an 0-4 record, won two of their next four games and then knocked off the Browns on Sunday to head into their Week 10 bye at 3-6.

It's hardly Denver's desired record — especially given the Broncos' three final-minute losses — but the recent 3-2 stretch is seemingly a stretch in the right direction.

In each of the last three seasons, the Broncos have held a 3-6 record.

In 2017, the Broncos started 3-1 before eventually falling to 3-8. Last season, the team began the year 2-0 and then dropped to 3-6.

But while this year's record is the same through nine games, this year's Broncos team seems to have taken strides.

"I definitely would say that it feels like pieces are coming together and not so much that pieces are falling apart," starting linebacker Todd Davis said. "I definitely feel like we're [in] a difference space, and if we continue to build it's going to be great for us."

Led by Brandon Allen, the Broncos' offense tied its highest point total of the season on Sunday and the defense is ranked fourth in the NFL. And Head Coach Vic Fangio said he thinks both Allen and the defense both have room to improve as the season continues in Week 11 against the Vikings.

"I think another week of practice will do him wonders, which we'll do when we come back from the bye and we'll have an extra practice that week," Fangio said Monday. "He's at the point where he knows our offense and he's been in our meetings since he's gotten here. … [He] didn't get here until after preseason was over. Now he's getting an opportunity to practice more. Just practice, I think, will produce the improvements we're looking for."

Allen completed 12-of-20 passes on Sunday for 193 yards, two touchdowns and no turnovers. His 125.6 quarterback rating was the third highest by a Broncos quarterback making his team debut.

The defense can only improve so much, as the unit ranks in the top five in passing defense, total defense and red-zone defense and ranks ninth in scoring defense. That won't stop Fangio from trying, though.

"We just need to, I believe, cover a little bit better at times in one-on-one coverage situations," Fangio said. "We didn't have a good day yesterday in the secondary of tackling their receivers mainly after they caught the ball. That's been unlike us for the most part. I'd like to see a little bit more pass rush. Those are some of the things."

If the Broncos can make those adjustments, they may have the chance to add more victories after the bye week.

"We've had those three 'walk-off' losses, as you describe them," Fangio said. "A few of those kickers turned around and missed their next opportunities for that. We are 3-6. Could we be better? Yes. Could we be worse? No. I don't really know how to answer that question other than we've had more than our chance to have a much better record than we do, but it is what it is."

Davis and the Broncos, however, aren't giving up hope on the season.