The Denver Broncos defense seems to be rounding into tenacious form again.
Last season, the Orange Crush proved to be one of the greatest defenses in NFL history, as they allowed just 283 yards and 18.5 points per game. But this is a different team, and after a few defensive players were poached by other franchises in free agency, we weren’t quite sure if this unit could maintain their dominance.
So far this season, despite facing a few of the top offenses in the NFL, the Broncos are allowing just 291.6 yards per game, and their points allowed has actually dropped to just 17.
One of the biggest obstacles that this group had to face was the loss of defensive lineman Malik Jackson, who departed for a wheel barrel full of money in Jacksonville.
And his absence did create a bit of a gap on the defensive line.
Last year, Jackson accounted for 45 tackles, with five sacks. Those are some sizeable shoes to fill. Credit John Elway with putting together a replacement package.
Derek Wolfe has been coming into his own ever since Elway drafted him with the 36th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.
In his first four seasons, Wolfe accumulated 140 tackles and 17 sacks, and last year the Broncos rewarded him with a four-year contract extension.
This season he has been a force, accumulating 28 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 15 quarterback hits. Not to mention, he seems to be a threat to knock the ball down on any given play.
We expected Wolfe would have an expanded role this year, and so far, he is living up to those expectations.
But did anyone really expect much from free agent Jared Crick?
Crick was drafted out of Nebraska by the Houston Texans, 90 selections after the Broncos took Wolfe, and his NFL results have been mixed. Yes, he has totaled 146 tackles, but has had just 5.5 sacks in four seasons with the Texans.
But head coach Gary Kubiak had been the coach in Houston when they drafted Crick, and the Broncos clearly felt like he was worth a free agent contract.
John Elway inked him to a two-year deal, and Crick seems to be getting more comfortable in this defense every week.
On Sunday against the San Diego Chargers, Crick had two tackles, a sack and even defended two passes as the Broncos eked out an important home win.
And on the season, Crick has racked up 23 tackles, 2.0 sacks and 10 quarterback hits.
Both Wolfe and Crick aren’t just pass rushers, but also take pride in their run defense. They power their way through blocks to eat up opposing ball carriers.
The true test for this Denver defense will, without a doubt, be what they do late in the season. And then, after that, what they do in the postseason.
But Wolfe and Crick are proving to be a solid duo at defensive end, and their play allows the Broncos’ speed rushers to wreak havoc on opposing offenses.
And as we saw last year, a dynamic defense just might carry this team a long way.
