Denver's defense is carrying the Broncos as rookie quarterback Bo Nix slowly settles in

Updated Sep. 30, 2024 7:29 p.m. ET

Associated Press

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Vance Joseph's defense is playing so well that even without its leading tackler, the Denver Broncos held Aaron Rodgers without a touchdown pass. Only five other times has the four-time MVP been held without a TD throw in a home game where he took every offensive snap.

The Broncos also sacked the notoriously difficult-to-sack quarterback five times in their 10-9 triumph at the stormy Meadowlands that completed a two-game sweep of their Eastern road trip and evened their record at 2-2.

“Our defense played amazing,” Bo Nix said after throwing for just 60 yards but also his first touchdown pass of his career.

The Broncos surrendered just one touchdown and three field goals on their 10-day road trip leading into a stretch in which they'll play three of four at home.

“I'll tell you what, we've got some grit and we're a tough football team,” Nix said.

Even without defensive captain Alex Singleton, whose season is over after tearing an ACL at Tampa last week.

“Yeah, it was huge to go on the road, get two tough wins against two really good football teams, two tough defenses, two tough offenses, you can’t say enough about our defense on this winning stretch,” Nix said.

A year after allowing Breece Hall to rush for 177 yards on 22 carries, including a 72-yard touchdown that put the Jets ahead for good on their way to a 31-21 win in Denver, the Broncos shut down New York's star running back.

Hall managed just 4 yards on 10 carries on Sunday, with a long run of 3 yards.

The Broncos held the Jets to 4 of 17 on third down a week after limiting the Buccaneers to 3 of 11. For the season, Denver is yielding a stellar 28.3% conversion rate.

“They’re going to continue to give us the ball back. Now, we’ve got to find ways to score, more than just a few points,” Nix said.

The five sacks included one by John Franklin-Myers, who also had a tackle for loss and two quarterback hits in his return to the Meadowlands following his offseason trade to Denver.

Replacing Singleton, who was placed on season-ending IR, inside linebacker Justin Strnad recorded his first career sack on the game's first snap.

Cody Barton called Denver's defense and led the team in tackles with 10.

“Those guys stepped up,” coach Sean Payton said Monday. “It's always difficult when you lose someone who's been as productive and certainly one of the team leaders. I was proud of the way those young guys played.”

What’s working

Ben Kotwica's special teams, especially the coverage units. K Wil Lutz missed his first field-goal attempt this year in the waning minutes after making his first 10 tries, and it would have been a killer had Greg Zuerlein not followed suit, also missing from 50 yards.

“Honestly, you just got to put your hope in the defense,” Nix said. “It’s a scary sight with (Rodgers) with the ball at the end, but our defense came out today and won the game.”

What needs help

The ground game finally got going and that saved the day for Denver. But the Broncos are going to need some big leaps in the passing game.

Stock up

Javonte Williams finally broke out in a big way in the sloppy field conditions Sunday. He ran for 77 yards on 16 carries, and Jaleel McLaughlin followed suit with nine runs for 46 yards.

Stock down

TE Greg Dulich caught zero passes and had just one pass thrown his way on the two-game swing out East. That means he has just five catches for 28 yards so far.

Injuries

RB Tyler Badie (back), who collapsed on the sideline after taking a helmet to his back, flew home commercially Sunday night after being released from the hospital. “We're still evaluating him, he's doing better,” Payton said.

Key numbers

5 — TDs allowed by Denver through four games, the fewest in that span since 2009.

10 — different Broncos have recorded at least half a sack.

Next steps

The Broncos host the Raiders, who have beaten them eight consecutive times. Take away games against each other and since 2020 the Raiders are 24-35 and the Broncos are 25-33.

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This story has been corrected to show Aaron Rodgers hasn't thrown a TD pass in a home game six times in his career.