DENVER — After scoring 27 factors throughout Sunday’s preseason recreation towards the Packers, Denver’s offense appears 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 saved 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 apply with the Packers on Friday, Head Coach Sean Payton mentioned he’s inspired by the consistency the protection is exhibiting.
“We performed the run properly at Indianapolis after which we got here again off that recreation,” Payton mentioned. “… [We’re] simply sort 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 received 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 exterior 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. Quite a few these guys have an opportunity to contribute, and we’ll simply maintain working with him. It is good to see his progress. He obtained lots of snaps tonight.”
A number of veteran gamers additionally made an impression on Sunday. Defensive finish Zach Allen recorded a sack, whereas exterior linebacker Nik Bonitto utilized strain that contributed to Elliss’ strip-sack and fumble restoration.
Bonitto mentioned that there’s a noticeable distinction with this 12 months’s protection and is raring to see the brand new vitality proceed to translate to on-field efficiency.
“We have got lots of guys that simply wish to show one thing,” Bonitto mentioned. “… Numerous 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 trouble 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 lots 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 got to get lots 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 robust as a result of every time you’re transferring the ball [and] transferring it properly after which you may have a penalty that brings it again, it is arduous to beat that,” quarterback Jarrett Stidham mentioned. “This league is simply too good, the gamers on the alternative facet are too good [and] the coaches are too good. Every time it is second-and-15 or first-and-20, it is all the time arduous to bounce again from that. We’ll positively have a look at it and see what we are able to do to get higher.”