November 1st 2024.
Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph faced a tough first season back in Denver. He wanted to keep things similar to the previous regime, but it didn't work out as planned. The Broncos ended up giving up the third-most rushing yards in the league, with the most yards per attempt and 56 runs for 10-plus yards according to Next Gen Stats. Their game against the Dolphins, where they allowed a total of 726 yards with 350 on the ground, left a stain that was hard to erase.
During the offseason, Joseph realized that a change in philosophy was necessary. He wanted to move away from shell coverages and encourage his defensive linemen to play with more aggression. And so far, the results have been impressive. The Broncos have become one of the best run defenses in the NFL, which makes their upcoming matchup against the Ravens, led by quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry, highly anticipated.
Joseph believes that in today's NFL, playing on your own terms is crucial. He told The Denver Post, "If you're not playing on your terms, you're losing. Last year, we weren't doing that and it didn't help our team win." The Broncos' success can also be attributed to their acquisitions in the trenches, as they tailored their defense to fit Joseph's vision. They traded for former Jets defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers and signed run-stopper Malcolm Roach to a two-year deal. Edge rusher Nik Bonitto also worked hard during the offseason to improve as a run defender, instead of just being a pass-rush specialist.
The Broncos have held opponents to under 100 rushing yards four times, and each of those games resulted in a victory. This is a significant improvement from the previous season, where they only had six games with fewer than 100 rushing yards allowed. As linebacker Allen told The Post, "We brought in some guys who play an attacking style, which I think, personally, a lot of top defenses play that way. It's been a lot of fun, and when you stop the run, you get opportunities to rush the passer." Allen himself has been one of the league leaders in quarterback pressures, with 17 run stops according to Pro Football Focus. Other players such as edge rusher Jonathon Cooper and inside linebacker Justin Strnad have also played crucial roles in the success of the Broncos' run defense.
But the ultimate test for the Broncos' progress will be their upcoming game against the Baltimore Ravens. Baltimore has had one of the best rushing attacks in recent years, finishing first in rushing yards three times since 2018. Jackson, who has collected 5,579 rushing yards in his seven seasons, has played a significant role in this. Joseph believes that the Ravens' running game is unmatched, saying, "I don't think anyone runs the ball as well as those guys because of Lamar. It's like Michael Vick back in the day... offenses were always in the top five in rushing because he added 60 yards."
Although Jackson missed two days of practice due to a back and knee injury, Ravens coach John Harbaugh has assured reporters that the two-time MVP will be available for the game. Joseph is also planning for Jackson to play, saying, "I think Lamar's going to play. It's midseason, so maybe he's a little beat up, but he's always answered the bell."
The Ravens also added Derrick Henry to their roster in the offseason, making their rushing attack even more formidable. In his ninth season, Henry has played on an MVP level, rushing for 946 yards and nine touchdowns on 145 carries. He has had four games with over 100 rushing yards, but the Broncos have only allowed one player to top 100 yards rushing in a game this season.
Roach, who has previously trained with Henry, says, "It's a testament to him. I've seen him train before in Dallas, and it was a sight to see. There's no surprise why he has so much success." Joseph acknowledges that the Ravens have done an excellent job executing "The Henry offense," which consists of power runs, outside zone plays, and toss plays. According to Next Gen Stats, Henry has 77 carries for 632 yards and five touchdowns on outside zone runs.
But the Broncos' biggest challenge will be containing Jackson and Henry's explosive runs. Jackson leads the league with 20 rushing attempts for 10-plus yards, with Henry right behind him with 19. Joseph says that it will take more than just stacking the box with eight-plus defenders to stop them. He believes that the Ravens' read-option plays, which make both Jackson and Henry a threat to run, will be difficult to defend. He also mentions the importance of having enough schemes to cover the extra gap created by the read-option.
However, stacking the box with more defenders can also leave the Broncos vulnerable to explosive plays in the passing game. Jackson is fifth in yards, second in touchdowns, and first in passer rating. He has also done a great job at spreading the ball around, with nine different players catching a touchdown pass. As cornerback Pat Surtain II says, "Some teams fill the box, but that sets up a lot of opportunities with the passing game. When you're committed to stopping the run, it allows for plays like play-action, RPOs, and other things to have success in the passing game."
On Sunday, the Broncos' unstoppable force meets the Ravens' immovable object. The Broncos' defense has transformed into one of the best in the league, and they are determined to maintain that status against the Ravens. As outside linebacker Baron Browning says, "They're the number one ranked offense in the NFL, so it'll definitely be a great challenge for us to see where we match up against them. I think we're all up for the challenge."
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