Sean Payton Unveils the Truth Behind the Broncos’ Massive Defensive Improvement

The Denver Broncos’ defence has improved dramatically since Week 5 — by leaps and bounds. That 70-burger in Miami, as historically bad as it was, did not represent the Broncos’ defensive low point.

Allowing the New York Jets to stroll into Empower Field at Mile High, score 31 points and total 400-plus yards, and provide offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett with sweet, cold revenge over Sean Payton… that was rock bottom.

However, following that defeat, the Broncos began to improve defensively. Vance Joseph’s unit went from being Denver’s biggest liability to the tip of the spear, containing Patrick Mahomes in a Week 6 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs before shutting down the Green Bay Packers in Week 7.

The Broncos will not be able to end Kansas City’s 16-game winning streak unless they put on an inspired performance in Week 8. The offence in Denver was excellent, especially in key situations, but it was the outstanding defence that allowed the good guys to finally win.

So, how did the Broncos go from being a historically bad defense over the first quarter of the season to battening down the hatches on Mahomes? Coach Payton put his finger on it recently, pointing first to his team’s mental fortitude and belief.

“You get back to work, you go to work. I think it’s never as rosy as we would like to believe, and it’s never as bleak as we would like to believe,” Payton said last week. “I think it first starts with the rushing game and our ability to defend the run. That, really, would be the first tangible thing I’d point to. We’ve created the takeaways, the passing situations have gone in our favor, and guys have worked hard to make corrections and improve… In other words, being better against the run and fitting the run better… Then, situationally, our third down and red zone, particularly in the last two games with Kansas City, have been really good.”

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That’s all there is to it. Nothing miraculous has occurred to explain Denver’s defensive resurgence, but there are factors to consider.

The Broncos have simply executed against the run on a whole new level; they’ve been predatory in taking the ball away and stubborn on third down and in the red zone.