INDIANAPOLIS — Before “leverage” marred the Broncos’ Sunday in the Heartland, they actually found themselves sitting quite pretty.

For much of the second half, Sean Payton ’s team positioned itself to escape Lucas Oil Stadium with a win despite an uncharacteristically poor defensive outing.

To head back to Denver with a pair of wins pocketed before opening division play next weekend.

To learn tough lessons and slug through ugly film sessions from the left side of the ledger, a spoonful of sugar to take the edge off dozens of sure-to-be-bitter clips across all three phases.

Three times in the final 20 minutes, in fact, the Broncos had prime chances to extend their lead to two scores.

Three times they failed.

Three times they left the door cracked open.

Finally, disaster broke thr

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