Denver Broncos Win Back-To-Back AFC Defensive Players Of the Week
The Denver Broncos have assembled the best defensive line in the entire NFL. They currently lead the league with 30 sacks, and are on pace to shatter the record set by the Chicago Bears in 1984. The Bears’ record was 72 sacks in a single season, and the Broncos are set to beat that record by more than ten sacks.
Broncos Defense Can’t Be Stopped
Nik Bonitto won the AFC Defensive Player of the Week last week, and Jonathan Cooper won the award for the Broncos in the second straight week. Bonitto single-handedly took down the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 5, having 2.5 sacks, 3 QB hits, and 2 tackles for loss. Right now, he has the best odds to win Defensive Player of the Year, which his teammate Patrick Surtain II took home last season.
Jonathan Cooper had two sacks on Justin Fields, along with a tackle for a loss. Cooper had the game-winning sack on Fields, bringing his sack total on the season up to 4.5. Currently, Denver leads the NFL in sacks with 30, followed by the Seattle Seahawks and Pittsburgh Steelers, who are tied with 20 each. In previous seasons, the Broncos’ defensive line was the weak point of their defense. George Paton has been very aggressive in recent offseasons to address it, creating an unbelievably strong unit.
The starters have done an amazing job all season long, but the second unit has also stepped up. Eyioma Uwazurike, Dondrea Tillman, and Jonah Elliss have really stepped up in their roles, making Vance Joseph’s job very easy. Joseph has been able to show different blitz packages and design different schemes, confusing the quarterback.
Defensive Line Is Built Well For Years
George Paton has done an incredible job building this defensive line for the future, and he does not have to worry about paying any of his players. Bonitto is set to become a free agent in 2030, while Zach Allen and Cooper are set to become free agents in 2029. They’re trying to take advantage of Quarterback Bo Nix being on a rookie contract, going all in on other position groups to make a run at a Super Bowl.
Denver is currently on pace to set a record for team sacks in a single season with 85. Pairing this with an elite secondary has created one of the best defenses in franchise history. Entering Week 7, the Broncos have allowed the second-fewest points in the NFL, behind the Houston Texans, who’ve allowed just 61 points this season.
The more impressive part of their defense is that they’ve had an immense amount of success without some of their top players on defense. They’ve been without Dre Greenlaw for the entire season, although there is a chance he returns this week against the New York Giants. Getting Greenlaw back will help with stopping opposing running backs and containing tight ends.
The Broncos’ run defense got a much-needed boost last week in London with Maclom Roach returning from a calf strain. Roach plays a huge part in stopping the run and gives Vance Joseph another weapon in his arsenal.
