Comment on Packed with history: Fresh faces join No. 1 Alabama in preseason USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll

The Broncos offense did quite a bit of good in 2024. It finished 10th in the NFL in scoring — boosted, to be sure, by a whopping 39 defensive points along the way, but still a major improvement from recent seasons. No Denver offense between Peyton Manning’s retirement and coach Sean Payton’s arrival finished better than 23rd in scoring.

Thursday night’s high-powered showdown between the star-laden offenses of the Avalanche and Oilers, featuring the league’s past two Hart Memorial Trophy winners, lived up to its billing. Unfortunately for the Avs, the end result was undesirable, as Colorado blew a 3-0 lead en route to a 4-3 loss at Ball Arena. Nathan MacKinnon contributed to that early advantage with a pair of first-period goals, but the Colorado defense wilted over the final two frames as Edmonton controlled the momentum for the final 40 minutes. “Their possession time (was the difference), and us not being able to stop it in the defensive zone,” head coach Jared Bednar said. “… I’m okay with spending some time in our zone, because that’s what they do — they’re first in the league in O-zone time, and they hang onto it, and hang onto it.

When the Colorado Avalanche and Edmonton Oilers get together, there’s an overflow of offensive firepower available. Four of the top six scorers in the NHL this year, including three of the last four players to win a Hart Trophy. Since the start of the 2020-21 season, the Avs are tied for first in the league with 1,230 goals.

Despite the Broncos’ 31-7 loss to the Bills in the wild-card round, a new standard has been set. The Broncos returned to relevance with a 10-7 regular season and their first postseason berth since 2015. They’ve found a franchise quarterback in Bo Nix, who’s proven to be an ideal fit with head coach Sean Payton. Now, it’s time for Denver to capitalize on its success.

There’s been another changing of the guard at Valor Christian football. Bret McGatlin has resigned as the Eagles’ head coach after three years, Valor Christian AD Keith Wahl confirmed to The Denver Post on Thursday night. Whoever takes the job for 2025 will be the Eagles’ fifth head coach in nine seasons. A statement released by the school said McGatlin stepped down “to pursue new opportunities in his career.” “We’re really thankful for (McGatlin’s) last three years,” Wahl told The Post.

Jamal Murray glared exclusively at The Denver Post. The time was last July after Canada’s exhibition game against Team USA in Las Vegas. There was only one pertinent question: What is going on with the contract extension? “When we get there, we get there,” snapped Murray. He was not comfortable talking about the deal, and he has not looked comfortable since signing a four-year, $208.5 million max contract extension in September. The question now hangs over the season: Who is Murray? The answer will determine whether the Nuggets contend for their second NBA title or get a Groupon discount code for May flights to Cancun. Which brings us to this week and the Jamal Experience.