Mile High Report
While the Denver Broncos defense had its first truly poor performance last week, they have been quite great all season long. At various times they’ve been compared to the 2015 Broncos’ defense. While I think that mantra is faded a bit, there is a key different with this defense and that one… depth. The 2015 defense had some quality depth at the edge, but it mostly relied on the starting group everywhere else. That isn’t the case in 2025.
The Broncos have quality depth at nearly every defensive position and nowhere is more impressive than along the defensive line. The edge depth is nearly on par with that 2015 squad, but it is the interior depth that outshines that historic Super Bowl defense.
I preface all this, because head coach Sean Payton was asked about pitch counts on defense and he noted depth being the primary reason.
“I just think that when you have depth, it helps a lot,” Payton said on Friday. “I think it’s one of the harder things to do in our league when you’re playing inside and you’re playing defensive line, these are short wrestling matches every six seconds. There’s a fatigue element to it, rushing the passer, the same thing. I think when you can have guys that can fill in… And it’s not always the case. Sometimes you don’t have that depth.”
With D.J. Jones ruled out in this game, that interior depth will be put the test against Ashton Jeanty and the Raiders on Sunday. Zach Allen was rested up and is a full go and the front got edge rusher Jonah Elliss back after a multi-week absence.
The defense has been a bit tame with the quarterback sacks lately, but Geno Smith should get them back on their record-breaking pace. He has taken 25 sacks over the past four games, which includes the six sacks he took against this same Broncos defense a month ago. Smith had the most sacks of his career last year with the Seattle Seahawks with 50. He is already at 46 with five games to go.
Denver’s depth will have a chance to shine again this weekend.
