After an 11-day layoff, and back-to-back losses in the five days that preceded that layoff, the Denver Broncos defense had to come out and make a statement against the Houston Texans. The first-possession woes had to end.

In both losses, first to Atlanta and then to division rival San Diego, the Broncos allowed sustained opening-possession touchdown drives to put their team in a hole early. In fact, Denver had allowed their opponents to score on opening possessions five times in six games (four touchdowns, one field goal), helping to contribute to the league’s worst first-quarter scoring differential.

The Broncos offense didn’t do its part to help correct that stat in Monday night’s matchup with Houston, but the defense took a major step forward in reasserting itself as one of the dominant forces in the league. Bound and determined to put this team on their back again, the Broncos defense forced a three-and-out on each of the Texans’ first two possessions. And although they would eventually surrender two field goals, the defense allowed just 85 yards on four first-quarter possessions. The six points allowed in that first quarter is made even more impressive considering Denver generated just 40 yards of offense and held the ball for just 4:55 on three possessions in the quarter.

But as the Broncos offense began to find its groove in the second quarter, so too did the defense begin to step up its game even more. Denver allowed just three more points on the night and never allowed the Texans inside their 10-yard line.

The “No Fly Zone” made it a difficult night for Brock Osweiler, despite the former Bronco’s jersey staying mostly clean. Osweiler finished the night with the second-lowest yardage total (131) for any QB with 40 or more pass attempts in a game. Seven of his 22 completions and 50 of his total yards came in the game’s final 6:25, when he was forced to go no-huddle trailing 24-9.

Denver would tack on another field goal to run the final to 27-9, the second time this season they’ve held an opponent to less than 10 points.

The Broncos had a little more difficulty slowing the Houston run game, allowing 140 total yards on the ground. Lamar Miller broke a 25-yard run that set up the game’s first score and Alfred Blue averaged 5.7 yards per carry on the night. But Blue also had the game’s first and biggest turnover.

Having just forced a three-and-out following a field goal that made it 14-9, Houston was driving and had the ball at the Denver 34-yard line. Blue made a run of seven yards on first down only to be met by Darian Stewart and T.J. Ward who forced a fumble into the arms of Todd Davis. The Broncos would turn that into a touchdown and force another fumble – this time by Osweiler – on Houston’s next possession to put the Texans in a hole they could not climb out of in the fourth quarter.

Denver’s defense wasn’t flashy in the win. Their only sack was a pressure sack on Osweiler, credited to the team, and they did not make any acrobatic interceptions or dramatic late plays to seal the game. It was a complete and dominating win for a defense that was ready to show it’s getting back to championship form.

Denver walks away a winner and now claims the No. 3 total defense in the league behind Minnesota and Arizona. Their 175 passing yards per game is tops in the league, as are their 22 sacks.

As always, the team at Mile High Sports was busy on social media documenting the developments. Here’s what they had to say, along with notes and observations from some of our favorite follows, as the defense dominated…

Even before the opening kickoff, people were thinking about the slow starts from the first six games…

The fans gave T.J. Ward and the rest of the defense a big assist on the opening drive…

And it almost started even better than hoped…

Denver entered the game having allowed a score to every team but Tampa so far on the opening possession…

Houston’s second possession was just as promising for the Denver D…

They weren’t perfect, though. A big gain by Lamar Miller eventually set up a field goal…

Neither team looked particularly measured on offense, instead waiting to strike a big play…

The defense surrendered more first-quarter points, but not until the third drive…

The next time down the field, Houston did it again…

Despite scoring twice, Houston had earned just four first downs…

The pass defense did its part all day, especially early in shutting down DeAndre Hopkins…

Denver kept an impressive streak going when the third quarter rolled around…

And Chris Harris’ coverage didn’t lighten up into the second half…

https://twitter.com/RonnieKRadio/status/790751359037378560

This number would change to one team sack, but it’s still a surprising number…