Allowing an average of 87 yards per game on the ground is no small task in the NFL, in fact it is good enough for fourth in the league.
Consider that the New York Jets hold the number one overall defense and they allow just 73.8 rushing yards per game - a very small difference. The Broncos are just one great game away from having that number one spot.
That’s all well and good, but statistics do not tell the whole story.
The Broncos are ranked 30th in average passing yards allowed with 287.9 and their 26 sacks this season tie them for 14th overall. Neither stat is something to brag about but what you don’t often hear about is their league leading 13 interceptions or that they also have 70 deflected passes this season. In fact, the Broncos have had more passes attempted against them than any other team this year, so it’s no wonder they have given up the most yards. Not to mention that they just recently became healthy and put the core together on the same field.
Some of that can be looked at as yards in “garbage time” and the explanations for what they've given up can even be looked at as an excuse, and maybe that’s true. But in a league that takes pride in the term, “what have you done for me lately” the Broncos certainly have an adequate response.
This team has recorded seven sacks in their last two games, has handed RGIII the worst game of his career after he had put down almost 400 total yards the week before, and even held Phillip Rivers to one touchdown pass with barely 200 yards passing.... CONTINUE READING