The Denver Broncos defense is elite, folks.
Sure, we already knew this from the last two seasons-plus, but they may have gotten even better this offseason.
Their phenomenal play on Friday night continued to prove that.
Denver Broncos elite defense could propel them to the Super Bowl
Super Bowl talk after one preseason game?
You bet!
These Broncos are incredibly good. On both sides of the ball—Courtland Sutton was a man possessed out there—but especially on defense.
It should be noted that the Atlanta Falcons look like they’re going to be terrible this season. They have a new head coach in Kevin Stefanski and are trying to figure out if Michael Penix is their QB of the future among other issues.
But that doesn’t take away how great this Broncos defense is.
The Falcons couldn’t get anything going on offense through their first two drives. Then on their third, Riley Moss brilliantly jumped a pass and picked off Cooper Rush.
Moss was running in to tackle the would-be receiver, but when the ball was off-line (was it tipped by Malcolm Roach?) the defensive back was in perfect position and reacted with cat-like reflexes.
It was a beautiful interception that set the Broncos up with the ball in enemy territory. The offense capitalized five plays later when Jarrett Stidham connected with Jaleel McLaughlin for a passing touchdown.
When Atlanta finally got to moving the ball and drove into scoring range, Karene Reid deflected a pass and it bounced directly into Jahdae Barron’s hands.
Barron didn’t mess around, he turned on the speed and gave 100% as he flew the length of the field, 98 yards in all, for the touchdown.
While he did have an interception against Dallas in the regular season last year, the play last night might have been his best in the NFL to this point.
The thing about Barron is the Broncos are so deep at cornerback that he doesn’t need to play that often. Denver’s led by former Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain and the aforementioned Moss is the second-best corner on the team.
Then there’s Ja’Quan McMillian still holding down the slot ahead of Barron, too.
At times last year, Barron looked like a rookie when he did get on the field. Maybe he’s ready to take a leap this year, which would only make the Broncos elite defense even better.
Defense wins championships
The old adage still holds true, even in today’s high-scoring NFL.
For instance, the Seattle Seahawks rode their No. 1 defense to a second Super Bowl win last year. Meanwhile, the Broncos and Patriots—who were third and fourth in points allowed, respectively—played one another in the AFC Championship Game.
Many people have pointed to the Pats and Broncos weak schedules in 2025, but teams have to play who they’re scheduled against. And despite each team’s offensive issues at points, the defense carried them deep into the playoffs.
Similarly, the final four teams alive in the NFL last year led the league in explosive play differential. For Seattle and Denver, that meant limiting their opponents’ explosives with great defense.
The same can be true this year for the Broncos yet again.
The entire starting lineup outside of Dre Greenlaw and John Franklin-Myers is back in the Mile High City. Surtain leads a star-studded group which includes Zach Allen—one of the best interior linemen in the league—and Nik Bonitto, who’s becoming a well-respected EDGE.
And the depth is insane, especially on the defensive line and defensive backfield.
There’s little doubt that these Broncos will be led by the defense again this year.
But, the offense will take a step forward as well.
Bo Nix has a lot to prove in Year 3, and I think he will. He’s going to take a step forward in his consistency, in throwing the ball over the middle of the field, and on the deep balls he’s errantly overthrown the last two years.
Obviously the offense goes as he goes, but his supporting cast got better.
Jaylen Waddle didn’t even play on Friday night, and he will be the key that unlocks the offense. But Sutton reminded everyone he’s still a great receiver and won’t just fade away.
Then there’s J.K. Dobbins who’s back with something to prove, RJ Harvey has a professional season under his belt, and Jonah Coleman has been delighting in camp. Coleman’s run through contact on Friday night for 13 yards was a thing of beauty.
So, while we know defense wins championships, they can’t do it alone.
This year, the offense has all the parts needed to be a better complimentary piece to the elite Denver Broncos defense.
Denver opened their Super Bowl window a year early, and it’s fully open right now.
I can’t wait for next week, and especially to see what this team can do against Kansas City on Monday Night Football on Sept. 14.