Is Denver’s Defensive Dominance Sustainable?
Early Struggles Against the Raiders
The Broncos faced an early challenge when the Raiders' quarterback Geno Smith completed precise passes on their second drive. Rookie Ashton Jeanty capitalized on this, breaking through Denver’s defense and scoring a rare red-zone touchdown at Empower Field, marking the first since Week 8. This moment deflated Denver’s defense temporarily, as they retreated to the sidelines in frustration.
Halftime Motivation from Talanoa Hufanga
“We gotta be better,” recalled safety Talanoa Hufanga, who gathered the Broncos’ team in the locker room at halftime and took responsibility for the defensive effort.
Despite offensive struggles, Hufanga emphasized that allowing any touchdown was unacceptable for their defense at this stage.
Defensive Standards and Goals
“It’s set every week that — they can’t score at all,” said Hufanga. “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.”
Strong Second-Half Performance
Following halftime, Denver’s defense dominated, shutting out the Raiders for the rest of the game. The Broncos secured a 10-7 victory, supported by six sacks and no points allowed over the final three quarters, under the leadership of coordinator Vance Joseph.
Key Defensive Highlights
- Six sacks recorded in the final three quarters
- Zero points allowed after the early touchdown
- Strong defensive cohesion turning the game around
Author’s Summary
Denver’s defense, energized by leadership and high standards, proved resilient and dominant enough to believe they can stop any opponent moving forward.