Ah, finally.

The long-awaited return of NFL football has officially made its way back into our lives.

Sure, college football has been kind enough to help us get our fix in during training camp and preseason, but I can only handle so many read option plays and missed 30-yard field goals before my mind starts daydreaming about NFL football.

What truly makes the NFL great is that the parity within the league gives each and every team a realistic possibility of winning the Lombardi Trophy come February — well everyone except the Buffalo Bills, anyway.

This season is no different. The Broncos have a very realistic possibility at representing the AFC in the Super Bowl, and they showed some real bright spots in their home opener against the Seattle Seahawks.

Let’s dive into a few takeaways from Denver’s Week 1 victory over Pete Carroll and his chewing gum.

1. Case Keenum must be better

Denver is going to be very good this year…but they can’t have Case Keenum serving up like he is today — trey wingo (@wingoz) September 9, 2018

I spent all preseason praising Case Keenum and his ability to protect the ball.

How does he repay me?

By turning the ball over three times during the first weekend of the season.

Keenum certainly didn’t have himself a poor game by any standards. He finished the night by completing 25 of his 39 passes for 329 yards and three touchdowns, but an injured Seahawks’ defense forced him into three very lousy picks, two of which immediately led to Seattle touchdowns.

If Keenum takes care of the ball, this game very likely would have ended in a double-digit victory and a relaxing fourth quarter for a Broncos team that seemed to dominate most of the afternoon. Thankfully, the Denver pass rush was able to claw out a three-point win and get Keenum his first victory under center in a Broncos’ uniform.

Let’s look at the positives, though. The Broncos offense looks far and away more competent and threatening than last year, and a large part of that is due to Keenum’s ability to find open receivers downfield. However, I hold my tongue slightly knowing that at this same time last year Trevor Siemian looked to have the Denver offense clicking on all cylinders, and we all know how that turned out.

I still have all the faith in the world that Keenum will take care of the ball moving forward. Don’t start jumping ship yet, Broncos Country. He will certainly be better moving forward.