Philip Rivers entered Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos averaging 319.2 yards per game in the air. That number will take a dip after the Denver defense held Rivers to just 179 yards on the day (202 minus 23 yards in sacks), his second-lowest total of the year.

Denver’s No. 1 passing defense has made a habit of shutting down high-flying offenses, but on Sunday they had to do so without two stalwarts in the middle of the field. Both T.J. Ward and Sylvester Williams missed Sunday’s game with ankle injuries, leaving their jobs to be filled by David Bruton and Vance Walker.

Bruton had a huge day before leaving the game with a leg injury, amassing 12 tackles (nine solo). Walker struggled to an extent, but had plenty of help from Derek Wolfe and Malik Jackson who both had big days.

Despite missing their run-stuffing tackle and hard-hitting safety, the Broncos still managed to have its best performance of the year in terms of scoring. Denver surrendered just three points on the day, a 51-yard effort in the second quarter. In allowing just 272 yards, it was the fifth time this season Denver has held an opponent under 300 yards of total offense.

Denver got contributions from other backups/rotational guys like Shaquil Barrett and Shane Ray who each had a sack. Barrett also had two tackles for loss and two quarterback hits. Linebacker DeMarcus Ware missed Sunday’s game, his fourth in a row, but went through exercises pregame. He is expected to return next week against Oakland.

Von Miller had an absolutely monster day and added to several personal accomplishments that prove he’s in an elite class of players not just this season, but since he entered the league. Miller had two sacks, two tackles for loss and four quarterback hits on the day, not to mention some choice words for Rivers.

It was a total effort, with as many turnovers as points allowed, by the defense

Here’s what the MHS team and the greater-Denver media had to say about the defense and its impressive effort against San Diego.

There were questions early for the d-line minus Sylvester Williams…

But the safety play minus T.J. Ward was solid all day…

It was the No Fly Zone vs. Philip Rivers…

How bad did it get for Rivers?

Even without some key players, the defense was getting it done…

But it was Von Miller who dominated the day…