There’s not much positive to say about the first game in which the Broncos’ were shut out in nearly a quarter-century. In a game where so many things went wrong, it can be challenging to look deep enough to find anything that went well.
If it’s any consolation, the Broncos’ defense is still championship-worthy. In fact, it’s still the league’s best. After all was said and done, the defense held the Chargers to 242 yards, their lowest total — by 101 yards — since their three-week winning streak began against the New York Giants back on Oct. 8. The effort was a solid bounce-back after giving up 412 yards to the Giants the previous week, which included giving up a season high of 148 rushing yards.
The team still leads the league in rushing defense, still having yet to surrender a touchdown and ranking second overall at 71.8 yards per game, despite facing the fifth-most running plays through the first seven weeks.
That defense once again shut Chargers running back Melvin Gordon down, holding him to a measly 38 yards on 18 carries and zero touchdowns, also his lowest output since the Chargers’ winning streak began.
The passing defense, while still struggling as compared to the 2016 season, gave up slightly lower than their average, holding Philip Rivers to 138 total passing yards, 42 of which came on a touchdown pass late in the game to Travis Benjamin.
The defense made several statements throughout the afternoon, including holding the Chargers to a turnover on downs on their first offensive drive, notably stuffing Gordon at the one-yard line for four straight plays. They also held the Chargers to three-of-12 on third downs, and sacked Rivers three times.
Despite all of this, the one area in which the Broncos are still struggling is turnovers. The Denver defense has not forced a turnover since safety Justin Simmons’ leaping interception against the Oakland Raiders. The Broncos also have yet to force a fumble; only one of three teams in the league through seven weeks unable to do so. Overall, Denver is ranked 29th in the league in turnover differential, sitting at minus-eight.
Defensive players believe that the lack of turnovers might be hindering any efforts to get the offense kick-started.
“We have to create turnovers,” said linebacker Von Miller. “We obviously have to get turnovers and we have to create a short field for our offense. We have to make plays. We have playmakers all across the field, and we have to get them to make plays on defense to put our offense in a better position.”
Moving forward, the Broncos will take their defense into Kansas City next Monday night, where they will face a Chiefs offense that is currently ranked second in the league.
