The Denver Broncos snagged a 23-17 win against the Los Angeles Chargers this past Sunday, and honestly, they needed it, because their pass rush, which was nowhere to be found, actually showed up when it counted. For real, before this game, it felt like they were allergic to quarterbacks. My own dive into the stats last week confirmed it: they were scraping the bottom in pressure, sacks, and QB hurries, even though Vance Joseph was calling blitzes like crazy.
Five Sacks and a Spark of Life (But Don’t Get Too Excited Yet)
So, what changed? This past Sunday, it finally clicked, at least partially. Their D-line racked up five sacks on Justin Herbert in the second half, which is huge! That effort actually pulled them into the Top 10 in sacks *overall* for the season. That’s a massive jump from where they were. But here’s the kicker, folks: even with that impressive five-sack outing, they’re still dead last in QB hurries. Last place! It’s like they can get the big hit, but they’re still not consistently making life miserable for opposing QBs in the pocket. It was an “ugly win,” as the Broncos’ own recap put it, but the defense absolutely rallied in the fourth to secure it. Let’s hope this five-sack performance is a sign of things to come and not just a one-off.
Payton’s Poker Face and the Short Week Grind
Head Coach Sean Payton isn’t shying away from challenges, that’s for sure. He’s still backing Bo Nix, even though Nix’s third year hasn’t exactly been the leap fans were hoping for. Payton’s sticking with his guy, which, you gotta respect the conviction, right? The coach was also asked about the short week prep for their next game, and his answer was classic Payton: it’s all about “time” and “proper recovery” for each player. Sounds like a lot of ice baths and film sessions are coming up. And when asked about J.K. Dobbins’ appreciation for his increased workload, Payton deadpanned, “We’re not taking polls. We’re trying to win games.” That tells you everything you need to know about his focus. He also made it clear that ball security, the early punch out, and that interception were “huge plays” and crucial for the defense’s identity.
Next up, the Broncos are staring down a TNF matchup against the defending champs. They’re going to need more than just five sacks to compete with that kind of firepower. Can that defense bring the heat again and finally start getting some consistent hurries? We’ll see if that spark they showed against the Chargers can ignite into a full-blown fire under the bright lights.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Mile High Report.
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