Mile High Report
For his 2.5 sack performance against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Denver Broncos edge rusher Nik Bonitto has earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors in Week 5.
Beyond the statistical dominance, it was how Bonitto affected the game during the Denver Broncos comeback fourth quarter win over Philly. His third down sack late in the third quarter forced a critical three-and-out, the first of three consecutive three-and-outs for the Eagles.
He would then make the critical tackle in space on DeVonta Smith to force their third three-and-out the drive after the Broncos took their first lead of the game. Then during the Eagles final desperation drive, he got his second full sack of the game. Bonitto was nothing short of dominate on Sunday.
Surprisingly, this is Bonitto’s first defensive player of the week award and the first linebacker since Von Miller in 2018 to earn one. He is also the first Broncos since Von to record multiple sacks in three straight games. Nik Bonitto is firmly in the NFL Defensive Player of the Year conversation here early in the regular season and leads the NFL with seven sacks.
