Nik Bonitto, Defensive Player of the Year?
After back-to-back breakout games, each highlighted with a turnover-touchdown, Bonitto is in the running for the award.
He deserves to be mentioned among the best defenders in the NFL this season, as his stats clearly show.
Denver’s defense leads to comeback vs. Colts
On Sunday afternoon, the Denver Broncos struggled against the Indianapolis Colts.
Denver’s defense, hailed as one of the best in the NFL this year, was sliced and diced by the hungry Colts.
And Indy should have gone up 20-7 to begin the second half, but Jonathan Taylor fumbled the ball just before he crossed the goal line. It was a case of premature celebration.
Little went right for the Broncos most of the game, offensively or defensively. But Marvin Mims’ special punt return in the fourth quarter set Denver up at the Colts’ 10, where Bo Nix connected with Nate Adkins to take the 14-13 lead.
Six plays later, Bonitto brought the house down at Mile High Stadium.
Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson threw a backwards pass to Adonai Mitchell, who attempted to throw it back to Richardson. But Bonitto jumped the route with speed and smoothness, taking it 50 yards to the house.
Casa Bonitto Part 2!
CASA BONITTO!!!!#ProBowlVote + @nikkkkbonitto pic.twitter.com/F3PgKZ0dry
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 16, 2024
That play resulted in absolute bedlam at Empower Field. In fact, it was on the same level as the Tim Tebow to Demaryius Thomas TD in overtime against the Steelers in 2011. And that was in the playoffs.
For Bonitto, it was a second straight game with a touchdown. He had the 71-yard pick-6 against the Browns two weeks ago on Monday Night Football.
Nik Bonitto could win Defensive Player of the Year, but T.J. Watt still leads
Bonitto just scored two touchdowns in back-to-back games. That’s incredible for a defensive lineman and he’s the only player in the league with a pick-6 and fumble-6 this year.
That’s a huge part of his resume that could win Nik Bonitto Defensive Player of the Year.
His 11.5 sacks are third only to Trey Hendrickson and Danielle Hunter, and they’re tied with Watt. Bonitto put together a six-game sack streak earlier in the season, and has at least half a sack in his last five games.
He also has two forced fumbles, 14 tackles for a loss, and 20 QB hits.
Add it all up and his resume is looking muy bonito. He’s playing so well, it’s hard not to compare him to a young Von Miller.
Here’s how his stats compare to T.J. Watt, the odds-on favorite:
Bonitto: 11.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 3 passes defended, 14 TFL, 20 QB Hits, 1 pick-6, 1 fumble-6.
Watt: 11.5 sacks, 6 forced fumbles (NFL-high), 3 passes defended, 18 TFL (NFL-high), 27 QB Hits.
According to FanDuel, Watt (-155) is the favorite, with Patrick Surtain (+380) second, and Bonitto (+1300) third for Defensive Player of the Year. The Broncos edge rusher went from +4000 odds to +1300 with his great game against the Colts.
Watt is regarded as the best defensive player in the NFL, and he won player of the year in 2021. For Bonitto to jump him, the Broncos rising star needs an edge in sacks, and maybe another touchdown, too.
At 9-5, the Broncos have a 91% chance of making the playoffs this year. Next up they play the 8-6 Chargers in LA on Thursday Night Football. Keep an eye out for No. 15 as he pins his ears back and goes after Justin Herbert.