Broncosand#039; the defense made an amazing turnaround after a 70-point rout How Fantasy Leaders Can Use Broncos WRs (1:50) Jeff Legwold, ESPN Senior Writer
Denver Broncosand#039; the first month of the season went as bad as it could in defense.
But veteran players like safeties Kareem Jackson and Justin Simmons and linebacker Josey Jewell made sure the team had a solid game plan and they just didn’t live up to their 1-4 start.
andquot;If you don’t do something I meant to do, it will look stupid,andquot; Jackson said. As the 4-5 Wildcats now know, a few weeks don’t make a season — and the defense made a big turnaround.
After giving up 40.7 points per game through the first three weeks of the season and allowing 28 or more points four times this season and in the first five games, the Broncos have given up 16 points in their last four games.
They’ve held Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes to one touchdown in two of three weeks and are riding Denver’s first three-game winning streak since September 2021.
andquot;Sounds easy but is much harder to do… great communication and great execution and#039;and#039; Simmons said.
andquot;[Fewer] touchdowns are scored in the red zone and weand re coming down the field on third down.and#039;and#039; 70-20 loss to Miami Dolphins in Week 3, 10 touchdowns,
726 yards rushing, continues to choke the Broncosand#039; statistics Denver ranks last in the league in several important statistical categories such as total defense, scoring defense, and run defense.
The Buffalo Bills piled up 192 yards on Monday night, but since Week 5, the Broncos have been among the best red-zone defenses in the league (allowing five TDs on 13 outings inside their 20), far from 1-3.
when the Broncos allowed touchdowns on 11 and 13 drives. In their last three games, they have given up six touchdowns to their opponents#039; total last 42 properties.
andquot;When we get into that rue zone, our standard is to keep them out of contact and#039;and#039; Cornerback Pat Surtain II said. andquot; …
Donand#039;t break.and#039;and#039; Justin Simmons (#31) and Broncos defensive linemen celebrate after a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills.
Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph kept faith in his players during the slump, even as he said they all needed to be better and adjust the lineup. Fabian Moreau became the starting corner against Surtain three games ago,
and Jaand#039;Quan McMillian was a bit of a revelation at the nickel corner. Mike Purcell also reached a dive in some personnel groups. andquot;I felt that, for the most part, we had guys who had a high buy-in factor in what we were doing,
and#039;and#039; coach Sean Payton said. andquot;Was it disappointment or frustration? Of course But there must be energy in training.
You have to be able to look closely and say, and#039;Hey, these are the things that hurt us.and#039; And then you have to have honest conversations when correcting and honest conversations about the approach you take in our teaching.and#039;and#039;
Throw in Baron Browning and his return to the pass rush three games ago — he had two sacks and a forced fumble in an Oct. 29 win over the Chiefs — and the Broncos have now found a combination that’s worked well enough to generate momentum.
andquot;You can’t panic and#039;and#039; Joseph said. andquot;Just keep training.and#039;and#039; The Broncos also have nine turnovers in their last two games, and their plus-3 turnover margin now ranks ninth in the league.
Their 16 sacks are tied for third most and their seven sacks are tied for second most. With the rest of the schedule, things are still quite tight to see if everything lasts until December.
Minnesota (6-4), Cleveland (6-3) and a resurgent Houston (5-4) stand alone in their next three games, traveling to Detroit (7-2) in mid-December for an AFC West matchup.
. andquot;Our defense has been
unstoppable over the last few weeks
and#039;and#039; quarterback Russell
Wilson said.
andquot;Everybody was talking about
them, but I’m against these guys every
day. I know how hard they work and what
they do.andquot;
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