ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The proof is in the wins.

Including the 2015 postseason and their 4-0 start, the Denver Broncos have won nine games in a row. They have done it with an elite defense and an opportunistic offense that has shown a sense of timing. They have also won because when they have needed their youngest players to be ready, those players have been ready.

“One of our biggest jobs is making sure we have our guys prepared to play, especially our young guys," Broncos coach Gary Kubiak said. “I tell our guys all the time we need everybody.’’

Just look at this past Sunday’s 27-7 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. On a hot, humid day on Florida’s Gulf Coast, the Broncos rotated players in and out of the lineup on both sides of the ball -- Corey Nelson, Zaire Anderson and Dekoda Watson all saw time at linebacker behind the starters, for example -- and rookie Paxton Lynch was asked to fill in for the injured Trevor Siemian at quarterback.

Eighteen players on defense played at least 12 snaps, and as they finished the night’s work in a downpour, the Broncos looked the much fresher team.

“It just shows how versatile that we are," nose tackle Sylvester Williams said. "... You never know where we’re going to hit you from on a week-to-week basis, so it’s exciting."

"We use everybody" is one of defensive coordinator Wade Phillips' mantras, and Kubiak has said his goal is to have players up and down the depth chart, no matter their experience level, ready to contribute. The thinking is later in the season, when the team is in a big game or a one-and-done situation in the playoffs, the Broncos' youngest players have done the work.

“And that’s the difference for us," linebacker Brandon Marshall said. “Everybody knows what our standard is, and if you have to go in, the expectation is you go in and get it done.’’

Second-year player Shane Ray has had a three-sack game in place of DeMarcus Ware, the Broncos have used one rookie safety (Will Parks) in some of the team’s specialty packages for another who was injured (Justin Simmons), and Lynch was able to show Sunday just how much he’s progressed in recent weeks.

Lynch went into the game in mid-drive after Siemian was injured just before halftime. Lynch entered on a third down and stayed in the rest of the way.

Lynch led a field goal drive just before halftime -- the Broncos covered 47 yards in nine plays over 1 minute, 14 seconds -- and he threw his first career touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to close out a nine-play, 80-yard drive. And he was able to do that because he’s kept the things that made him a first-round pick at the forefront while addressing those that need the most work.

“He’s much improved as far just handling himself, handling the huddle and those types of things," Kubiak said. “His confidence throwing the ball and stuff, he’s always had that."

“From the footwork up, I feel really confident in myself, how I am with the playbook now and how my footwork has timed up with the routes and concepts as well as getting in and out of the huddle," Lynch said. “I’m getting better at that day in and day out."

Lynch has plenty of work to do -- particularly with playing under center, which he never did at the University of Memphis -- but the Broncos got a glimpse of what Lynch could do if Siemian’s injury keeps him out of the lineup at any point.

And that is something the Broncos know a little about, given that during the nine-game winning streak they have used four different quarterbacks: Peyton Manning, Brock Osweiler, Siemian and Lynch. Sunday’s win also offered some vindication for the Broncos' rare decision to go with a second-year player in Siemian and rookie in Lynch as their top two signal-callers.

Their payoff for that and other roster choices: They are the only undefeated team in the AFC and remain on the inside track for a sixth consecutive AFC West title.

“It’s exciting -- obviously they are both good players, but making that decision and kind of watching them grow up together and go through this," Kubiak said. “We’re probably going to need them both. It’s just kind of the nature of the business nowadays. ... I think they both have bright futures. That’s great for our organization."