The Broncos aren't the only NFL team to surprise observers with a 3-0 start, but they are the club we least expected to play that well in the early going after such a tumultuous offseason. Denver defeated Oakland 23-3 on Sunday thanks to another stifling performance from its defense, which is giving up a league-low 5.3 points per game.

While the offense has been far less impressive, it has been effective and has scored 25 points in its last two games. It lacks flash, but is sound and, perhaps most importantly, takes care of the football. The 1-2 punch of RBs Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter is the key, as it has kept pressure off Kyle Orton, who is at his best in a game-manager mode. There's no doubt opening the season against the Bengals, Browns and Raiders put the Broncos in a favorable position. There's also little doubt, however, that this team is better than just about everyone thought.

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Head coach Josh McDaniels earned his place in the NFL by coordinating high-powered passing attacks in New England, but he should be credited for adjusting to fit his personnel in Denver. Orton's game is limited — there's only so much he can do. McDaniels realizes that and seems to have accepted it. He's not asking Orton to be something he's not and that has been very important to the team's success thus far.

He wants Orton to make smart decisions with the ball and avoid turnovers — so far that plan has been successful, as Orton has yet to commit a turnover after three games and 88 passing attempts. He might finally be clicking with WR Brandon Marshall who had his best game of the season on Sunday, making five catches for 67 yards and one touchdown.

While Denver has one of the most talented receiving corps in the league, the running game quickly has become the foundation on offense after injuries left it bruised and battered last season. The Broncos' ground attack is ranked fourth in the league and they are tied for the third-most rushing attempts with 102. The horses in the backfield should expect to continue shouldering a heavy load.

In order to avoid the fate of last year's Broncos, who also started 3-0 before stumbling to eight losses in their final 13 games and missing the playoffs, McDaniels needs Moreno and Buckhalter to keep picking up steady yardage so Orton faces manageable second- and third-down situations. The two running backs combined for 198 rushing yards on 35 carries (5.7 avg.) in Sunday's win over the Raiders.

Days like that could be much harder to come by with this 10-game stretch awaiting them: Dallas, New England, at San Diego, at Baltimore, Pittsburgh, at Washington, San Diego, the New York Giants, at Kansas City and at Indianapolis. That group features five playoff teams from 2008.