I'll go into last week Monday Night Football Showdown with the Cleveland Browns, the Denver BroncosThe defense ranked third in total yards allowed (296.0) and second in points allowed (16.8) per game.
The unit then allowed Cleveland's offense 552 yards and 32 points.
Denver's defense has now fallen to ninth in total yards allowed (315.7) and third in points allowed (18.0) per game. Still good numbers.
While passing yards on Monday, the Broncos also snagged three interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns. These takeaways ultimately made the difference a 41-32 victory.
“I saw three turnovers in important parts of the game,” quarterback Bo Nix said after the game. “Not only is it difficult to score turnovers, but it is even more difficult to return them for touchdowns. The fact that they did it twice was crazy. It was kind of nice. I sat over there. The radiators are on the bench over there and I don't even have to move. So it's pretty nice for the offense if they save us like that.
“It was a complete team win. We made our plays. [We] I have a lot to grow from. And then they made their plays. They have a lot to offer from which to grow. It’s good to have a bye week this week and then we’ll come back and grow from it.”
Denver now ranks eighth with 18 takeaways this season and first with 47 sacks. Individually, pass rusher Nik Bonitto ranks second in the league with 11 sacks, just half a sack behind Trey Hendrickson (11.5).
After the bye, the Broncos will face an Indianapolis Colts offense that ranks 23rd in total yards per game (311.5) and 22nd in points per game (20.5). Indy quarterback Anthony Richardson has averaged one interception and just over a sack per game in the nine contests he has started this fall, so Denver's defense will look to build on their takeaways and sack totals in Week 15 .
