Talk about a rollercoaster. Despite some rough moments with missed tackles recently, the Denver Broncos are rocking arguably the best, or at least second-best, safety duo in the entire league with Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones. These guys are seriously making plays, and the stats back it up.
Unpacking the Havoc: Denver’s Safeties Are Elite Playmakers
Gridiron Grading just dropped some “Havoc play” stats for safeties, and Hufanga is up in the stratosphere, with Jones right there among the elite in that upper left box. “Havoc plays” means turnovers, tackles for losses, and pass breakups. Yeah, both Broncos starting safeties are absolutely balling out in 2026 when it comes to making those game-changing defensive plays. And get this: NFL S production through eight weeks shows Zakee Wheatley has been the best rookie safety so far. Nobody saw that coming! But back to Denver, those two are legit.
Another chart, from Jrfortgang, focused on separation prevented and on-ball grades for all qualifying safeties, also screams “elite.” Both Jones and Hufanga are solidly in the quality starter range here. Hufanga, in particular, is among the best on ball, which is huge. While Denver actually had four safeties on that chart, Taylor Rapp has struggled a lot, and Devon Key, despite being really good on his on-ball grade, is lacking on separation percentage. But when it comes to the top guys, Hufanga and Jones are absolutely bringing it.
The Nagging Truth: Elite Duo, But a League-Average Squad
Here’s the gut-punching caveat to all those incredible stats: neither Hufanga nor Jones has been able to stay on the field consistently. We’re not talking about major, season-ending stuff, but that “minor nagging type” of injury has caused both players to miss significant time. You’ve got two of the best safeties in the game, and they just can’t catch a break to be out there week after week. It’s gotta be frustrating for the team.
This injury issue hits even harder when you look at the Broncos through an EPA lens. The team isn’t exactly a Super Bowl contender, falling more into the “league average” category. And get this, despite having a talented defense with these two studs, the unit is actually below-average against the pass when you examine EPA per dropback. Their offense is right there in the middle of the pack, too. So, if your elite playmakers aren’t on the field, that “below-average against the pass” is going to sting even more.
Bo Nix is Clutch, and Cap Space is Brewing
It’s not all grim, though. Bo Nix is quietly becoming a comeback king. Another week, another fourth-quarter comeback and game-winning drive for the guy. He’s now got 13 fourth-quarter comebacks and 16 game-winning drives in just 43 games started. That’s one 4QC every 3.3 starts and one game-winning drive every 2.7 starts. That’s a serious knack for winning when it matters. Colin Cowherd even had Coach Sean Payton on, and Payton said, “I know we have the right quarterback in the building.” That’s high praise.
On the business side, the Broncos also restructured Talanoa Hufanga’s contract, which creates nearly $4 million in cap space for the 2026 season. Could they be eyeing an extension for a particular player? Maybe it’s not directly related to Nix, but it shows they are making moves.
It’s clear Hufanga and Jones are absolute game-wreckers when they’re healthy. Hopefully, after the bye week, we finally see them both back out there consistently, locking down the back end of that defense and helping turn that “league average” into something more.
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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