The Denver Broncos have one of the best defenses in the NFL four games into the 2024 season, ranked second in yards allowed per game (256.5) and third in points allowed per game (13.8).
Much of the credit goes to defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, who is getting the most out of stars like Pat Surtain and veteran journeymen like Cody Barton.
Joseph loves to blitz, and he can do so frequently because of the confidence he has in the team’s defensive backs to hold up in man coverage.
“VJ is just dialing up,” Surtain said after a 10-9 win over the New York Jets in Week 4. “He has so much trust in us as players and that allows him to call these exotic schemes, show different looks and frustrate opposing offenses because his ability to trust us and his ability in his play calling. Obviously, these past few weeks it’s paid dividends.
“The offenses we’ve been going against, and we played another great quarterback in Aaron Rodgers and, like I said, we’re just going to keep on building and keep on performing. VJ is just going to keep on calling great calls defensively and we’re going to get after it for sure.”
This week, Denver’s defense will face a Las Vegas Raiders offense that ranks ninth-worst in yards per game (288.8) and 19th in points per game (19.5). After forcing two turnovers and totaling five sacks against the Jets last week, Joseph and Co. will look to keep the momentum going in Week 5.
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