Is Denver’s Defensive Dominance Sustainable?
The Broncos' defense faced an early test as the Raiders scored the first touchdown of the game. On the Raiders’ second drive, quarterback Geno Smith completed tough throws, and rookie Ashton Jeanty broke through Denver’s defense to score in the red zone — the first such touchdown allowed at Empower Field since Week 8.
Despite this setback, safety Talanoa Hufanga rallied the Broncos' locker room at halftime during a 7-7 stalemate. Emphasizing accountability, Hufanga demanded better defensive performance, placing the responsibility squarely on the defense.
“We gotta be better,” Hufanga recalled telling the team.
“It’s set every week that — they can’t score at all. It’s tough for us to even give them a touchdown. We want to hold teams to field goals, or get off the field if we can’t get turnovers.”
Hufanga considered the early Jeanty touchdown unacceptable, illustrating the team's strict defensive standards despite the offense’s struggles to move the ball.
Denver’s defense rose to the challenge in the second half, shutting out the Raiders and contributing six sacks. Their performance helped secure a 10-7 victory, following a familiar pattern of defensive heroics under Vance Joseph’s coaching.
Key Defensive Highlights
- Only touchdown allowed was Jeanty’s early red-zone score
- Six sacks recorded in the final three quarters
- No points allowed after the first quarter
- Defense’s goal is to limit opponents mostly to field goals or turnovers
The Broncos’ defense clearly believes in their ability to stop any offense, maintaining a standard of near-impenetrability as a defining feature of their success.
Author’s summary: Denver’s defense upholds a strict no-touchdown standard, relying on resilience and pressure to maintain dominance and fuel team wins despite offensive challenges.