The Denver Broncos’ defense has been superb through the first three weeks of the season, just as fans expected them to be.
Denver has allowed the second-fewest total yards per game (221.7), the second-fewest rushing yards per contest (59.3) and the third-fewest passing yards per game (162.3) so far this season.
Denver’s defense is also tied with the fourth-most interceptions (four) and the seventh-most forced turnovers (five) in the league. The Broncos have also totaled eight sacks, tied for tenth-most in the NFL.
Most importantly, Denver has allowed just 8.7 points per game, which ranks No. 1 in the league.
“This defense, man, we’ve had to face them all training camp, all spring, that’s what we expected of them,” quarterback Teddy Bridgewater said after the team shutout the New York Jets in Week 3. “I’m on the sideline, and I’m looking up at the scoreboard and every time the quarterback draws back, I’m yelling ‘pick’ because this defense has the ability to just change games.
“You saw that today, creating turnovers, getting to the quarterback, stuffing the run, playing tight coverage in the pass game, you know, that’s what we expected of them. So honestly we’re not surprised by it, but we also know the sky is still the limit for those guys and they understand that too. Like man, there’s so much more out there for us, and we just got to keep that mindset as a team.”
Broncos linebacker Alexander Johnson was one of the team’s standout performers last week, totaling five tackles and two sacks in a 26-0 win over New York.
This week, Johnson and his teammates will face a Baltimore Ravens offense that has averaged 185.3 rushing yards per game (No. 1 in the NFL) and 27.3 points per contest (11th-most in the league).
Denver’s defense has been excellent so far this year, but Sunday’s matchup will be the unit’s first big test of the season.
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