The Denver Broncos defense overall played better than most people thought following Sunday’s 26-20 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1. From their improved front seven, good coverage in the secondary, Denver’s defense was stout most of the day, but a few breakdowns were the difference maker in the end result.
Denver Broncos defensive film room vs. Seattle Seahawks
In this film series, you’ll see Jonathon Cooper’s two sack performance, Riley Moss having good coverage against Tyler Lockett despite him making some catches, and two breakdowns defensively that led to touchdowns for Seattle.
Jonathon Cooper’s first sack vs. Seattle
Cooper starts off the Broncos season with a bang, crashing off the left side and nearly strip-sacking Geno Smith. He manages to come up with the sack and backs up Seattle for a second and following play.
Jonathon Cooper’s second sack vs. Seahawks
Cooper gets his second sack of the game deep into Seahawks territory. The Broncos coverage is good, and their pass rush is even better. Denver sends four, and both Cooper and Baron Browning bow the pocket around Smith. Browning pushes the left tackle into Geno’s lap, and Cooper finishes the play.
Geno Smith gashed Denver’s D for 34 yard touchdown
Denver’s defense on this play sends an all-out blitz with man coverage across the board. Singleton blitzes the open gap, and it appears like Zach Allen is trying to spin back to close the gap that opens up. Smith tucks it and takes advantage and scampers in for a 34-yard touchdown. I love the blitz design, and Nik Bonitto was close to getting home, but sometimes an aggressive look can lead to a negative outcome if it doesn’t get home.
Alex Singleton intercepts Geno Smith
On Denver’s second play of the game, the pass rush gets home in time, forcing Smith to throw a bit off platform, which takes the velocity off of his pass and allows Alex Singleton to intercept the pass while dropping into the middle hook.
Patrick Surtain II shuts down DK Metcalf on third down
Loved this matchup on Sunday. Patrick Surtain II coming off of getting paid a big money contract, steps up against DK Metcalf. In Sunday’s game, Surtain held Metcalf to three catches for 29 yards on four targets and was in coverage against him on 25 coverage snaps on Sunday. Surtain gets in phase and sees Metcalf looking back for the ball, where he body adjusts. He brings his hand through Metcalf’s at the end to force it incomplete.
Broncos defense has busted coverage vs. Seahawks RB
This was a play that not only confused me but also confused legendary film guru Brian Baldinger. Denver drops defensive tackle Malcolm Roach back into coverage. It’s unclear who was at fault and where things went wrong, but this was a costly play that made a big difference in a 26-20 outcome.
Riley Moss has tough coverage on a great backshoulder throw and catch
Riley Moss was sticky in coverage nearly all day long against the Seahawks, despite giving up some catches on Sunday to Tyler Lockett, nearly every throw and catch made was tightly covered by Moss. Smith and Lockett’s chemistry was on display, with great ball placement, great technique and while Moss had great technique himself, there wasn’t much he could do in some of these situations. These catches you live with every time as a coach.
Geno Smith goes backshoulder to Lockett once again
Another example of good coverage for 95% of the play here from Riley Moss. Moss gets in phase with Lockett who sells the nine route strongly, but Seattle’s veteran receiver throttles down quickly to gain some separation on the backshoulder.
Lockett seals the game for Seattle
This was a tough one for Denver’s first game to end on because it’s such a difficult play to cover and Riley Moss once again has tight coverage on this play.