The Denver Broncos’ playoff chances might be in jeopardy after Sunday’s loss to the Chiefs, but Von Miller‘s 10 tackle, three sack performance has him in a good place to earn some postseason hardware. Both Bryant McFadden and Clement Townsend of 120 Sports say that despite the strong season Oakland’s Khalil Mack is turning in, Miller is the current favorite for Defensive Player of the Year.
“Double-digit sacks currently,” McFadden said Monday about Miller, who leads the NFL with 12.5. “We saw how he dominated the ballgame, granted they lost the ballgame against Kansas City … but he did everything in his power for his team to win. He hasn’t lost a step. He picked up right where he left off being the Super Bowl MVP. Currently 49 tackles, 12.5 sacks. This guy is a beast. He’ll continue to improve on those numbers and I think that will keep him the strongest candidate to be defensive MVP.
Townsend agrees, citing Miller’s consistency.
“I was trying to figure out who else has been as consistent as Von Miller,” Townsend says. “Khalil Mack is a guy who probably hasn’t done it from the start of the year, so to speak … I don’t know if you want to put [Kansas City’s] Dee Ford in that conversation. He’s probably been a surprise guy.
“The thing about Von Miller is, coming off his Super Bowl MVP season, everybody is keying on Von Miller. Every opposing offense knows, ‘We have to block Von Miller.’ But you can’t block the man.”
Townsend is also quick to note that Miller’s partner in crime, DeMarcus Ware, has missed significant time this year and Miller has still been effective in isolation.
Miller will have chances to pad his stats over the next two weeks against Jacksonville and Tennessee. Although both teams are better than Kansas City at protecting their passer, those two teams have only faced Miller a combined three times in his NFL career – and none since he’s become the unstoppable pass rushing force of the past two seasons.