The Denver Broncos defense might as well have ‘JANSPORT’ across their backs, because they’re carrying this team like a backpack.

In a game that again saw the offense struggle to put points on the board, the defense had to come up with more big plays and big stops to secure a 26-23 overtime win against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

The defense was dominating again, allowing just 298 yards on the day, their fourth time so doing this year. The D kept the score down, as they have this year, as well. Denver entered the game second in the league, having allowed just 15.8 points per game. They surrendered just 17 against Cleveland, who put six defensive points on the board against the Broncos’ struggling offense.

The relentless Broncos pass rush got to Josh McCown four times on the day, including a crucial sack in overtime that kept the Browns out of field goal range with a chance to win the game. Denver had two interceptions and a fumble recovery to level the turnover differential at three on the game, making up for Peyton Manning’s three interceptions.

The phrase “bend but don’t break,” is often overused when talking about defenses, but it’s been remarkably true for the Broncos this year who have managed to come up with timely turnovers and stops in every one of Denver’s six victories this season. The same held true on Sunday. Denver’s defense again scored a touchdown and again came up with some major stops down the stretch.

One somewhat disconcerting fact emerging from the game is that all of Cleveland’s offensive points came in the second half of the game, after Denver held the Browns scoreless in the first half.

Denver has dominated in the first quarter, not allowing a point, but the repeated need for the defense to step up over and over again, especially late in the game, is putting undue pressure on the unit.

As the game played out, and it became more clear that it was once again going to be on the defense to keep things close or win the game, the words started flying from the Denver media, who seems to be waiting for the straw to break the camel’s back.

Here were some of the highs and lows for the defense as they bowed, but still found a way to propel Denver to another another win…

The end result was a positive, as the defense not only held up on the final possession of regulation but saved Denver’s bacon in overtime, but it wasn’t all positives for Wade Phillips’ unit.

Another cause for concern was the number and timing of 15-yard penalties the defense surrendered, including two that came on third downs…

With Green Bay coming to town on Sunday night after the bye week, Denver has plenty it needs to figure out on offense. For as great as it has been, another performance like today by the defense likely won’t be enough to keep the Broncos’ prefect record intact.