DENVER — After scoring 27 factors throughout Sunday’s preseason sport towards the Packers, Denver’s offense seems to be to be constructing optimistic momentum forward of the 2024 season.
However the Broncos’ protection arguably stole the present on Sunday, because the unit recorded two key takeaways and stored the Packers from scoring in Denver’s 27-2 win. Inexperienced Bay’s solely factors got here through a security late within the third quarter.
Coming off of a powerful defensive efficiency final week towards Indianapolis and a promising joint observe with the Packers on Friday, Head Coach Sean Payton mentioned he’s inspired by the consistency the protection is displaying.
“We performed the run nicely at Indianapolis after which we got here again off that sport,” Payton mentioned. “… [We’re] simply form of stacking these practices and constructing confidence. We had two takeaways. I believe we scored 10 factors off of them. We did not win the penalty battle, [but] we gained the turnover battle. I am inspired.”
These two takeaways got here from gamers who made their presences felt in final week’s win over Indianapolis. Defensive again Keidron Smith recorded his second interception of the 2024 preseason, whereas outdoors linebacker Jonah Elliss noticed his constant strain repay with a strip-sack and fumble restoration.
“I like his vitality,” Payton mentioned of Elliss. “… He is somebody that it is not only one rush plan. He performs with ardour and once more, I am inspired with the rookie class. A variety of these guys have an opportunity to contribute, and we’ll simply preserve working with him. It is good to see his progress. He acquired loads of snaps tonight.”
A number of veteran gamers additionally made an influence on Sunday. Defensive finish Zach Allen recorded a sack, whereas outdoors linebacker Nik Bonitto utilized strain that contributed to Elliss’ strip-sack and fumble restoration.
Bonitto mentioned that there’s a noticeable distinction with this yr’s protection and is keen to see the brand new vitality proceed to translate to on-field efficiency.
“We have loads of guys that simply wish to show one thing,” Bonitto mentioned. “… Loads of these guys have been ready [for] their time to play, so it has been good to have them on our crew.”
Security P.J. Locke can also be inspired by the hassle he sees throughout the board from Denver’s protection, and he believes the sky is the restrict for the hungry group.
“I believe we are able to go so far as we wish to go,” Locke mentioned. “It is all about confidence. … Our job as leaders, the older guys, is to let the [rookies] know … we are able to actually do one thing.”
DENVER LOOKING TO ‘CLEAN UP’ PENALTIES
Whereas Payton mentioned that “there have been loads of positives” from Sunday’s win, he famous errors that the crew might want to keep away from with the intention to discover success this season.
“We had sufficient penalties for 3 video games, and we have to get loads of that cleaned up,” Payton mentioned.
Denver dedicated 13 penalties for 120 yards on Sunday, and the Broncos will look to scrub up their play forward of the 2024 season.
“The penalties are powerful as a result of every time you’re transferring the ball [and] transferring it nicely after which you have got a penalty that brings it again, it is onerous to beat that,” quarterback Jarrett Stidham mentioned. “This league is just too good, the gamers on the alternative aspect are too good [and] the coaches are too good. Each time it is second-and-15 or first-and-20, it is all the time onerous to bounce again from that. We’ll undoubtedly take a look at it and see what we are able to do to get higher.”