The replay of the Denver Broncos’ 10-9 victory over the New York Jets was just as hard to watch as the original – unless you were a duck. Or one that enjoys watching future Hall of Fame Quarterback Aaron Rodgers and rookie Quarterback Bo Nix throw ducks across a pond that resembled MetLife Stadium. It was not a thing of beauty, but in the National Football League, good teams find ways to win. The Denver Broncos may not be a good football team yet, but this win may help navigate them through the storm of the regular season and back into playoff contention.
High-Pressure System
The Denver Broncos defense is building like a storm system on the horizon and growing into a force to be reckoned with. When the Denver Broncos lost leading tackler and captain Alex Singleton for the season last week with a torn ACL, fans, analysts, and even coaches wondered who would fill the void.
Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph answered that question on the very first play of the game. Linebacker Justin Strnad took the blitz command from the captain of the defense, Joseph, flashed through the left side of the Jets offensive line and thundered Aaron Rodgers to the turf for the first of the Denver Broncos’ five sacks of the afternoon. The Denver Broncos now had 12 sacks in their last two games and trail only the Minnesota Vikings (17 total sacks) with 16 on the season.
For the fourth straight game, the Broncos’ defense was outstanding. The game plan was to stop Breece Hall and Braelon Edwards’ running attack and force Rodgers to beat them in adverse conditions. They gave up only 64 yards on the ground and kept Rodgers from gaining momentum. Cornerbacks Patrick Surtain II and Riley Moss were elite, holding Mike Williams and Allen Lazard to a combined nine catches for 125 yards. The Denver Broncos rank second in total defense, third in passing defense, and 12th in rushing defense and are a bright orange spot on every opponent’s radar.
Storm Shelter
There was a stark contrast between the Broncos on Sunday afternoon and the New York Jets. It was the image of New York Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, in the fourth quarter, barely able to pull himself off the soggy turf and looking like the 40-year-old with 19 seasons under his belt and the rookie quarterback, Bo Nix, who was running around and making plays.
The Broncos’ defense was not only able to sack Rodgers five times but hit him an additional 14. The Denver Broncos did not allow one sack of rookie Nix, and they rarely were pressured. The Broncos have not surrendered a sack in two straight games. That hasn’t happened since weeks 16 and 17 in the 2016 season. The shelter the offensive line has provided Nix is a welcome sign in the “Mile High City.” The improved protection allowed the Nix to avoid pressure, in stark contrast to last year when Russell Wilson was sacked once every 11.3 pass plays. This year, that number has improved to once every 35.5 pass plays.
Steady As She Goes
For a rookie quarterback to continue to improve, the shelter of a clean pocket goes a long way in steadying the ship. Time will tell if the pattern continues and Nix can improve as the dreaded Raiders sail into town this Sunday. If the Broncos’ defense continues its solid play, it will not matter how choppy the waters get; the Broncos will be able to follow their heading toward the playoffs. Steady as she goes.
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