Just one season removed from allowing a woeful 70 points in one game, it seems the Denver Broncos defense has turned a page.
The Broncos have one of the top defenses in the NFL right now. What makes it even more impressive is that there is only one first-round pick on the Broncos defense. The rest are second-round draft picks and later, including undrafted free agents.
Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph says he thoroughly enjoys coaching his group of “self-made guys that are just grinders.”
“Playing together and being team-first guys. It’s a group of self-aware, young, hungry guys who are still trying to reach for more,” said Joseph. “So I don’t have a problem motivating guys, keeping guys humble, because it’s there every day. Again, we have one guy, Pat, who’s a first-rounder. Everyone else are just self-made guys who want to get better every day.”
One of the most interesting aspects of the Broncos defense has been their pass rush. They are currently tied for the second-most sacks in the league with 28. The Broncos are also spreading the wealth, with 12 different players recording sacks this season.
The teams with the most QB pressures this year 💪 pic.twitter.com/3jEFdqgtAp
— PFF (@PFF) October 23, 2024
In fact, the Broncos’ defense has a bit of an internal competition going on. Defensive end Zach Allen, who has the second most pressures in the NFL this season, says the team has turned their pass rush into a bit of a race.
“It’s a race to the quarterback,” said Allen. “You have to make sure you’re winning and winning fast or a guy like Bonitto is going to beat you there. The standard is high and we just have to keep on pressing.”
Denver @Broncos this season
NFL Rank
Sacks Allowed 9 t-1st
Sacks 28 2ndNo one better in the trenches pic.twitter.com/HoeRRlilua
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Linebacker Nik Bonitto currently leads the Broncos with 5 sacks. However, Jonathon Cooper is not far behind with 4.5.
Cooper is in the final season of his contract, and has set a lofty goal for himself for the season.
“It’s 10-plus sacks across the room. That’s the goal,” said Cooper. “Nothing short.”
Up next the Broncos are set to face the Carolina Panthers, who are sitting at an abysmal 1-6 record. The Panthers also have one of the worst offenses in the league, so the Broncos’ defense has got to be licking their chops. Don’t be surprised if a handful of Broncos defenders put up a multi-sack performance.