The Broncos may not be leading the NFL in sacks, but the pressure they’re creating tells a much louder story.
Through eight games, Denver sits atop the league in three major pass-rushing categories, according to Pro Football Focus. The Broncos are first in pass-rush grade, first in pass-rush win rate and first in total quarterback pressures. That last number stands out most: Denver has piled up 144 quarterback pressures, 12 more than any other team, per a November 6 analysis by Mile High Report.
The disruption hasn’t stopped there. Denver also leads the NFL with 51 quarterback hits, which is 11 more than the next-closest club. Add in the sacks, and the Broncos have produced 74 sacks and quarterback hits combined, 15 more than any other team.
That kind of volume helps explain why the sack total hasn’t fully matched the pace Denver set over the previous two seasons. The Broncos have already faced quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, Trevor Lawrence, Matthew Stafford and Brock Purdy, all of whom are known for slipping out of trouble and extending plays.
Even so, the Broncos have kept opponents uncomfortable snap after snap. That was on display in Sunday’s 28-24 comeback win over the Kansas City Chiefs, when Malcolm Roach got to Mahomes on the final play and Nik Bonitto helped force the pressure that sealed it.
It’s the latest example of a front that has been doing this for a while. Since the start of the 2024 season, Denver is the only team to allow sacks on fewer than 4% of its offensive dropbacks while recording sacks on more than 8% of opposing dropbacks.
And this hasn’t been a one-man show. Bonitto, defensive tackle Zach Allen and young linebacker Que Robinson have all played their part in a rotation that keeps coming after quarterbacks.
With the offense still looking for more consistency, Denver’s pass rush remains one of the clearest reasons this team keeps winning the trench battle.
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