The Denver Broncos have been off to a ferocious start on defense this season. That especially rings true with respect to their ability of getting after opposing quarterbacks. Last year, the Broncos led
the National Football League with 63 sacks. This season, Denver already has an astounding 21 sacks through five games. That puts them on pace for over 70 if they are able to keep playing at such a high level.
Additionally, they have been one of the best units in the league defending the run. They are just outside the Top 10 in yards per carry given up at 4.1. The Broncos come in at sixth-best giving up just 442 total yards on the ground this season. Last but not least, they are tied with a handful of teams for giving up the fewest rushing touchdowns with just two on the season.
The goal for the Broncos’ defense in 2025 was simple—dominance. In order to do that, Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph is trying to find a balancing act between being aggressive and disciplined at the same time.
“I want us to be smart bullies. I don’t want to pressure and expose a corner or expose a linebacker to a pressure. Every pressure we have is calculated and it’s thought through on matchups, and can we pressure the quarterback if we don’t? How do the matchups look? I think we do a great job of doing that,” stated Joseph after yesterday’s practice.
The downside to Joseph’s penchant for being aggressive with his blitzing can occasionally giving up the big play. He has run a lot of man coverage looks which can put a lot of pressure on players in their individual matchups. The Broncos are tied with the Commanders for the second-worst mark in the league giving up 5 passing plays of 40 yards or more through the air. A majority of those plays have come against cornerback Riley Moss in man coverage and linebacker Alex Singleton when isolated in coverage going up against running backs and tight ends.
This Sunday, the Broncos go up against the New York Jets who have already given up sixteen sacks on the season. Not only that, but their offensive line allows one of the highest pressure rates in the NFL. With that in mind, it’s likely we will see the Broncos get after quarterback Justin Fields throughout the game in order to halt the Jets’ offensive attack from taking flight in London.
“Sometimes it doesn’t work out in our favor, but that’s always our purpose. When we’re playing aggressive or pressuring, it’s to have the best matchups with the pressure. It’s a balancing act, but I pride myself on making us smart bullies, not just blitzing to blitz but with purpose. Moving forward, that’s our job as coaches, to kind of put them in the best spots to have success and to also get pressure. That’s the balancing act each week,” added Joseph.
If Joseph and the Broncos’ defense can pressure Fields without giving up chunk plays down the field, that will certainly bolster their chances of earning their fourth win of the season. Another key to achieving victory would be to force turnovers. The Broncos have only forced four turnovers to date— an interception and three forced fumbles.
Sunday’s battle against the Jets have them poised to turn the corner in that area as well. The Jets have turned over the ball eight times this season, and at least once in every game this season. By all accounts, this is a game where Denver’s defense finally has an opportunity to find the balance Joseph is striving for.
