Turnover binge turned around 2023

A look at the numbers behind the Denver Broncos defense in 2023:

Five key defensive numbers

26: takeaways, tied for No. 12 in NFL

24.3: points allowed per game, No. 27

33.2%: opponents third down conversion percentage, No. 2

370.8: yards allowed per game, No. 29

2.16: points allowed per drive, No. 28

High Point

Head coach Sean Payton said at the end-of-season news conference that the team’s ability to force turnovers sparked its five-game win streak in the middle of the season. Denver generated 16 takeaways and forced three or more turnovers in four games during that stretch. In Week 8 against the Chiefs, one of the Broncos’ best defensive performances of the season, they forced five turnovers to help secure a 24-9 victory and snap a 16-game losing streak to their divisional rival.

Broncos season takeaway totals since 2019

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Low Point

The Nightmare in South Beach. The Broncos were flat-out embarrassed, losing 70-20 in one of the worst defeats in franchise history. Denver allowed 10 touchdowns and 726 total yards. Miami destroyed Denver through the air and on the ground. The Dolphins racked up 376 passing yards while rushing for 350 yards. Had Miami head coach Mike McDaniel not shown mercy by sitting on the ball in the waning minutes, the Dolphins would’ve set a record for points scored in an NFL game. In the wake of the loss, fans wanted the organization to tear down the roster and start a full-scale rebuild. Denver, however, managed to use the loss as motivation, becoming a formidable defense as the year progressed. Still, the Broncos were unable to wipe away the stain of that 50-point defeat.

MVP: Pat Surtain II

Denver’s star defensive back strengthened his case to become the highest-paid cornerback in league history. Surtain totaled 69 tackles and 12 passes defended while being named to the Pro Bowl for the second straight season. The former Alabama star matched up against some of the league’s top wide receivers and delivered. He held Cleveland’s Amari Cooper to one catch for 11 yards on four targets in Week 12. In Week 10’s win over the Buffalo Bills, Surtain limited wideout Stefon Diggs to one catch for 11 yards. He handled business against Raiders star Davante Adams, holding the veteran wide receiver to five receptions for 42 yards over two games.

Tough Season: Damarri Mathis

Mathis struggled to build off a solid rookie campaign. Denver’s second-year cornerback gave up 95 receiving yards and two touchdowns against the Raiders in Week 1. Against the Commanders, he allowed seven catches for 83 yards and a touchdown. Mathis started the first six games, giving up 361 receiving yards and four touchdowns before veteran Fabian Moreau replaced him in the starting lineup in Week 7’s win over the Green Bay Packers. Mathis didn’t play a defensive snap during the final five games.

Under the radar: Baron Browning

Denver’s pass rush benefited from the return of Browning, who missed the first five games due to a torn meniscus injury. The third-year outside linebacker totaled 25 tackles, 4.5 sacks and nine quarterback hits in 10 games (nine starts). Browning also had a pass rush win percentage of 12.5%, according to Pro Football Focus. He played a significant role in the win over Kansas City, as he sacked Mahomes twice while forcing a fumble.

Run Defense

Five Key Numbers

137.1: rushing yards allowed per game, No. 30

15: rushing touchdowns allowed, T-17

7: games allowing less than 100 rushing yards

6: games allowing more than 150 rushing yards

5.0: yards allowed per carry, No. 32

The Good

There’s not a lot of good things to say about the Broncos’ run defense in 2023. However, their performance against Raiders running back Josh Jacobs in the season-opener deserved a round of applause. Before the Raiders visited Empower Field in September, Jacobs had tormented the Broncos, having totaled 721 rushing yards and nine touchdowns in seven games. The eighth matchup was a different story, as Denver held him to 48 yards on 19 carries while averaging 2.5 yards per attempt.

The Bad

The Broncos had a brutal three-week stretch where opponents were running all over them. After Denver gave up nearly 400 rushing yards to the Dolphins, the Chicago Bears rushed 171 yards even though the Broncos managed to pull off the win. In Week 5, Jets running back Breece Hall tore apart Denver’s defense, rushing for 177 yards and a touchdown.

Most rushing yards allowed in a game in 2023

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The Unknown

One of the biggest questions this offseason: What will Denver’s defensive line look like in 2024? Jonathan Harris and Mike Purcell are set to hit free agency, and it’s unclear whether or not the team will bring them back. Defensive tackle D.J. Jones, who is entering the final year of his deal, doesn’t have any guaranteed money but he will have a cap hit of $12.95 million, according to Over The Cap. Will Matt Henningsen take on a bigger role? Or will the Broncos use their first-round pick to draft Illinois’ Jer’Zhan Newton? There were questions about Denver’s depth at defensive line entering 2023. Those questions will linger into this offseason, as well.

Pass Defense

Five Key Numbers

42: sacks, T-21

100: quarterback hits, No. 16

233.6: passing yards allowed per game, No. 22

98.0: quarterback rating allowed, No. 30

11: interceptions, T-19

The Good

After the Broncos waived Essang Bassey in early October, second-year defensive back Ja’Quan McMillian took over as the team’s nickel cornerback and excelled. He totaled 51 tackles, two sacks and a pair of interceptions. When McMillian recorded a takeaway in three straight games, it was clear Denver unearthed a gem. Outside linebacker Nik Bonitto took a step forward in Year 2, with eight sacks and 20 quarterback hits. It will be interesting to see how he and edge rusher Jonathon Cooper, who totaled a team-best 8.5 sacks, continue to develop.

The Bad

On Christmas Eve, the Broncos needed a victory against the Patriots to keep their postseason hopes alive. New England had one of the worst passing offenses in the league, yet the Broncos couldn’t stop backup-turned-starting quarterback Bailey Zappe, who threw for a season-high 256 yards, two touchdowns and completed 75.8% of his pass attempts. With the game tied at 23 in the fourth, Zappe completed a 27-yard pass to wideout DeVante Parker, with Pat Surtain II in coverage, that helped set up Chad Ryland’s game-winning field goal.

Broncos’ pass rush numbers in 2023 vs. 2022

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The Unknown

Who is starting on the opposite of Pat Surtain II next season? As long as Surtain is on the field, teams will try to avoid him, putting the second outside corner in a tough position. Moreau held his own, but he’s not a long-term answer. The Broncos view Riley Moss as a potential starting cornerback in the league, even though he only played three snaps on the outside as a rookie. Denver could also fill the role through the draft. Alabama’s Terrion Arnold could be an option for the Broncos with the 12th pick. He was named first-team All-American by the Associated Press after recording 63 tackles, five interceptions and 12 passes defended in 2023.

Special Teams and Miscellaneous

Five Key Numbers

24.9: kick return average, No. 8

88.2%: field goal percentage, No. 13

16.3: punt return average, No. 1

41.5: net yards per punt, No. 17

99: penalties committed, T-14

The Good

In the eyes of general manager George Paton, Denver’s effort on special teams was the biggest sign of progress. Last season, the Broncos were 28th in field goal percentage and 32nd in kick return yards. Under special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica, the unit transformed into one of the best in the league this season. The Broncos finished first in punt return yards (16.3 per game), eighth in kick return yards (25) and 13th in field goal percentage (88.2%). Broncos rookie returner Marvin Mims Jr. was named a Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro by the Associated Press. He averaged 26.5 yards on 15 kick return attempts.