CAN DENVER’S DEFENSE STIFLE JUSTIN FIELDS, GARRETT WILSON?
Fields’ success certainly isn’t limited to his contributions in the run game, as he’s one of two quarterbacks in the NFL with a 100-plus passer rating and no interceptions this season. Through five weeks, his 119.8 passer rating against the blitz ranks eighth in the NFL.
Denver, though, can get pressure even without bringing an extra rusher. The Broncos have an NFL-leading 43.4 quarterback pressure percentage without blitzing — and Fields’ passer rating is nearly 20 points lower when not facing the blitz. The Broncos also rank first in sacks and second in quarterback pressures without blitzing, and five of their six sacks in Week 5 came without bringing an extra player.
Outside linebacker Nik Bonitto leads the group, and he is on pace to break the Von Miller’s franchise sack record. Bonitto’s seven sacks match the Jets’ sack total as a team through five games.
“For him to be beating Von Miller stats, I’m kind of like, ‘Yeah, that’s what’s up,'” outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper said this week. “I always had faith in my dude — always.”
The Broncos’ 21 sacks rank first in the league, and they’ll face a Jets team that has given up the fifth-most sacks in the NFL. Denver also ranks in the top three in points allowed, third-down defense and red-zone defense.
The play of reigning Defensive Player of the Year Pat Surtain II has certainly contributed to the defense’s performance, as well. On Sunday, he could match up with Garrett Wilson, who ranks in the top 10 in the NFL in catches, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. Wilson also has a receiving touchdown in three straight games, which is the longest streak of his career. Surtain, though, has slowed Wilson in the past. In three career meetings, Surtain has allowed three catches on seven targets for just 34 yards. The All-Pro corner has also recorded a pair of passes defensed and an interception while not giving up a touchdown.
If Surtain can find that level of success again, it could go a long way.
A final interesting defensive twist involves the Broncos’ use of zone defense. After playing a lot of man coverage early in Week 5, Denver shifted to zone and played that coverage on a season-high 66.7 percent of the snaps, according to Next Gen Stats. The Broncos racked up six sacks and a 43.3 pressure percentage while allowing no touchdowns in zone. Fields, meanwhile, has no touchdowns and an 86.4 passer rating vs. zone this season. Against man, he’s racked up four touchdowns and a 126.3 passer rating. As Joseph calls the game Sunday, the Broncos’ style of play could be worth watching.
WILL THE BRONCOS MATCH THE JETS’ INTENSITY?
The Jets haven’t yet earned a win this season, but the Broncos know what they’ll be facing this weekend at Tottenham.
“Desperate teams always win in this league,” tackle Mike McGlinchey told DenverBroncos.com on Thursday. “I think we’re pretty desperate to be great. I think they’re ready to get their first win. It should be a great matchup.”
Across the roster, the Broncos emphasized that they aren’t overlooking a winless Jets team. New York has suffered three of its losses by fewer than seven points, including a pair of losses on game-winning field goals.
“There’s no team in the NFL that you can take lightly, especially this group that we’ve got,” McGlinchey said. “There’s talent all over their roster. … It’s a huge week for us, and we’ve got a great opportunity to try to beat a good football team.”
The Broncos eked out a 10-9 win over the Jets last season, and two of the last three meetings between the teams have been one-score games.
“They’re a good football team,” Nix said. “They’ve been close on some games. They were a couple of walk-off plays away from having two or three wins. I definitely think that is something you’ve got to be careful with. This is not a team to just toss around like they’re winless, but I think we will be ready to go.”
Nix is 5-1 in his career vs. team that entered the game with a losing record, and he’ll face a Jets defense that ranks 31st in points allowed. New York is the only team this season to have allowed at least 25 points in every game, and Payton is 16-3 in his career facing teams with a bottom three scoring defense in Week 5 or later. In those matchups, Payton’s teams have averaged 33.2 points per game and more than 415 yards per contest.
The Broncos will look to reset their focus and continue to find offensive success in Week 6.
