With a helping hand from someone in the know, wrote a Broncos column for Tuesday on the team’s rising popularity.

You’re right. I didn’t think the Broncos could get bigger around here, either. They are.

The season-ticket waiting list, a team official told me, is right around 40,000. That’s an increase of 10,000 in the past 12 months (or, roughly the time Peyton Manning has been a Bronco. Supports my theory he’s a $96-million bargain.)

I would be interested to hear from any readers who are on the waiting list… and their number on the waiting list. Shoot me an email — or post below.

File away: A limited number of single-game tickets go on sale at the start of training camp.

This didn’t get in the column, but there were an estimated 45.5 million viewers during the first OT of the Ravens game. That is believed to be a record for an AFC divisional playoff game played on a Saturday.

Other TV notes: From Labor Day on, of the top 30 most-watched TV programs in the country, five were Broncos games. Makes sense to bring us Eli-Peyton on the Thursday Night season opener next season. That one might put ratings records to the test.

NFL jersey sales for last season, in order: Manning, Robert Griffin III, Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, J.J. Watt. What does that mean? Nothing, really. I’m just interested by jersey sales. Jay-Z said men over 30 can’t wear another man’s jersey. Shawn Corey Carter never lived in Broncos Country.

Is there more anticipation for the 2013 season than any in Broncos history? Don’t know if there’s an accurate way to quantify that sort of thing, but it might be.

Twitter: @Klee_Gazette