The most gratifying part of the Denver Broncos’ win over the Arizona Cardinals wasn’t ending their five-game losing streak. That win meant Denver’s defense was finally rewarded for their play after a season of letdowns by the lackluster offense.

The Broncos’ defense finds itself at No. 3 in points allowed per game (18.1) and No. 5 in yards allowed per game (309.0). With the offense sitting at dead last, averaging only 15.6 points per game, wins have come few and far between. Wildly, five of this year’s losses have come in games in which their opponent scored 17 or less.

Denver’s defensive unit has drawn tons of praise for their performance this year, and rightly so. While it hasn’t been enough to produce an ideal win total, their third down execution has kept them close in games each week.

To wit, last week the Cardinals were only able to convert on 16.7 percent of their 3rd downs.

As it currently stands, Denver’s defense is ranked No. 1 in third down conversions at home (23.9 percent), No. 2 in all third down conversions (32.1 percent), No. 2 in third down success rates (40.6 percent), and No. 3 in third down EPA/play (0.081 points). Against the pass, the Broncos’ defense has the best success rate in the league (41.0 percent). They fall just outside the top ten at No. 11 against the run (39.8 percent).

Here’s a visual on Denver’s success on third downs and the results:

According to the graph, the Tennessee Titans slightly edge Denver out with a 31.55 percent conversion rate. The Baltimore Ravens fall just below the Broncos with 32.32 percent.

The San Francisco 49ers’ defense has been a bit shakier on third downs in comparison to the Broncos. Nevertheless, they’ve had similar overall success sitting atop the league in both points (15.0) and yards (286.1) allowed per game.

Like the Broncos, all three teams of these teams are allowing less than 21 points a game. Unlike the Broncos, all three organizations have offenses scoring an average of at least 18 points per game. They are also all on track to make the playoffs.

What does that mean?

If the Broncos had scored at least 18 points per game in regulation, they’d currently be 11-3 and looking at a playoff berth too.

It’s disappointing to think about what could have been. However, the good news is that success in 2023 is not too far of a reach if the offense can even mildly improve.

Patrick Surtain II, who was just named to the Pro Bowl for his first time, is a cornerstone of the defense moving forward. So is safety Justin Simmons, who was name a Pro Bowl alternate this year. Denver has talent at every level of the defense and seems primed to again be elite next season.

This week, the Broncos (4-10) face the Los Angeles Rams (4-10) on Christmas Day in LA. That game kicks off at 2:30 p.m. MT on CBS4 Denver.