October 30th 2024.
On Sunday afternoon at Empower Field, the Carolina Panthers faced off against the Denver Broncos in what turned out to be a thrilling game. The Panthers started off strong, scoring two touchdowns against the Broncos defense on their first and last possessions of the game. However, in between those two trips to the end zone, Denver's defense stepped up in a major way.
They forced five punts and recorded two turnovers, ultimately leading to a 28-14 victory for the Broncos. This win brought their season record to 5-3, putting them in a strong position as they approach the mid-point of the season. The Broncos defense, in particular, has been making a name for itself with its ability to make adjustments and shut down opponents in the second half of games.
Aside from their season opener against the Seahawks, where they gave up 17 points in the last two quarters, the Broncos defense has only allowed a total of 31 points in the second half of their other seven matchups. Outside linebacker Nik Bonitto credited their success to their ability to lock in and make adjustments on the sideline, something that the team has been excelling at.
The Broncos defense's dominance in the second half has been nothing short of remarkable. Since Week 1, they have only given up six points in the third quarter and have not allowed a single touchdown. In fact, in five of their last six games, they have only allowed one opponent to score in the third quarter, with the exception being a field goal from the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 6.
Their success can be attributed to their impressive stats, with 20 sacks and 74 pressures in the second half alone. When it comes to the fourth quarter, they lead the league with 13 sacks and 43 pressures, according to Next Gen Stats. In their latest game against the Panthers, they recorded two sacks and 12 pressures in the second half alone.
Cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian spoke about their strategy, saying, "First, we want to stop the run and then put them into passing downs. We've got a pretty good secondary and the guys up front know the quarterback. We're working together to get sacks. We're holding the receivers up enough time for them to get the sacks."
Even in their losses to the Steelers and Chargers, the Broncos' second-half defense remained solid. Against the Chargers, they allowed 20 points and 246 yards in the first half, but only a field goal and 104 yards in the second half. A big part of their success has been their ability to generate turnovers, with four interceptions in the second half alone, including two against the Panthers.
Rookie cornerback Patrick Surtain II spoke about their communication and how it has led to their success, saying, "We have built on our communication, and that has led to success and turnovers. There's a lot left in the tank, and that's the best thing about this defense."
Despite their overall dominant performance against the Panthers, outside linebacker Nik Bonitto expressed disappointment in the team's performance in the final minutes of the game. After a fumble from wide receiver Courtland Sutton, the Panthers were able to score a touchdown on a 98-yard drive.
This trend of allowing touchdowns in the fourth quarter has been a cause for concern for the team, even though they have managed to secure wins in those games. With a tougher schedule ahead, the Broncos know that closing out games will be crucial to their success.
Bonitto said, "Everybody loves winning, but we want to be dominant every time we step on the field and from beginning to end. So not being able to finish the way we wanted to kind of put a little bad taste in our mouths with the win."
As the Broncos continue to make strides on the defensive end, fans can expect to see even more impressive performances in the second half of the season. Sign up for the Broncos Insider for all the latest news and analysis on the team.
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