Denver Broncos Defense on Historic Pace After Record Setting Start

The Denver Broncos have been one of the best defenses in the NFL so far this week. What’s even scarier is that the Broncos defense is not at full strength yet.

The Broncos tied a franchise record with nine sacks against the Jets, showcasing their remarkable balance and depth with eight different players contributing to the sack total. 

As The Denver Gazette noted, Denver’s defense held the Jets to only 82 total yards and minus-10 passing yards after sacks, which is the fewest in team history and second-fewest by any NFL defense since 1990.

Outside linebacker Nik Bonitto couldn’t help but laugh when he learned the stat:

“I was shocked when they told us after the game,” Bonitto said. “That’s pretty funny.”

Bonitto leads the entire NFL in sacks so far this season with eight and is one of the favorites to win Defensive Player of the Year. 

Cornerback Pat Surtain II, last season’s DPOY, thinks Bonitto could be next in line.

“It was honestly pretty crazy,” Surtain said. “It was like I was sitting back watching, being a fan of it. We’re covering for maybe one or two seconds, I look up, there’s a sack. It’s a pleasure to watch and a pleasure to be part of.”

Historic Numbers Through Week 6

Through six weeks, Denver leads the NFL with 30 total sacks, 10 more than any other team. 

They rank second in total defense (254.2 yards per game) and scoring defense (15.8 points per game). Only the Houston Texans have allowed fewer points, averaging 12.1 per game.

The turnaround has been remarkable.

After giving up 473 yards in a Week 2 loss to Indianapolis, the Broncos’ defense has completely locked in. In their last three wins over the Bengals, Eagles, and Jets, they’ve allowed just 10.3 points and 181 yards per game. 

Nose tackle D.J. Jones said the group has found its rhythm:

“We’ve been in that groove, just a relentless groove. It’s special to be a part of it.”

Denver’s Depth and Dominance

Despite missing key contributors like linebacker Dre Greenlaw (quad injury) and still easing Malcolm Roach back into action after a calf issue, the Broncos have emerged as perhaps the league’s most feared defensive unit.

Roach made his season debut on Sunday in London but only logged 25 of 57 defensive snaps. 

Even without Greenlaw and Roach for most of the first six weeks of the season, the Broncos defense has been elite. 

“They’ve been playing their butts off week in and week out,” wide receiver Courtland Sutton said about the defense. 

“It’s been special to watch, and I’m just grateful to be on a team with guys playing at that level. They’re out there with the mindset that nobody can stop them. The sky’s the limit for those guys.”

As dominant as Denver’s defense has been, it could get even scarier once the unit is back to full strength.

The Broncos will host the Giants next before a Week 9 clash with Houston, a game that could turn into a battle between two of the NFL’s top defenses.

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