Tag: Sack

Eagles generated 16 pressures, 6 sacks in Super Bowl LIX without blitzing Chiefs

The #Eagles generated 16 pressures and six sacks against Kansas City in Super Bowl LIX without blitzing #Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes.

The Philadelphia Eagles consistently pressured Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in Super Bowl LIX, but they didn’t have to do anything creative to keep him under duress.

According to a post by Next Gen Stats on Twitter, Philadelphia didn’t send more than a four-man pass rush throughout the game, marking just the fourth time that a team didn’t send a blitz in the Next Gen Stats era.

Mahomes was pressured 16 times in Super Bowl LIX, and the Eagles tallied six sacks in their winning effort against Kansas City.

Check out Next Gen Stats’ post about Philadelphia’s unconventional approach below:

Though the Eagles conceded 22 points to the Chiefs late in the game, the outright dominance of Philadelphia’s front four ultimately proved too much for Kansas City to overcome.

Stay tuned to see how Chiefs general manager Brett Veach decides to fix Kansas City’s offensive line in the coming months ahead of the 2025 season.

Broncos’ sack leaders from 2024 season (Nik Bonitto led the way)

The Broncos led the NFL with 63 sacks as Nik Bonitto (13.5) led the way. Here are the team’s individual sack leaders from the 2024 season.

The Denver Broncos‘ impressive defense led the NFL with 63 sacks during the 2024 season, setting a new franchise record.

Broncos outside linebackers Nik Bonitto (13.5 sacks) and Jonathon Cooper (10.5 sacks) became the team’s first double-digit sack duo since Von Miller (14.5) and Bradley Chubb (12.0) in 2018.

Not far behind were defensive linemen Zach Allen (8.5) and John Franklin-Myers (7.0). Denver also got solid productive from backup rotational pass rushers Jonah Elliss (5.0) and Dondrea Tillman (5.0).

The Broncos had 16 different players record at least a half-sack in 2024, which helps explain how they ended up leading the league with 63. Here’s a look at all of Denver’s individual sack totals from the 2024 season.

Broncos 2024 sack leaders

  1. Nik Bonitto: 13.5
  2. Jonathon Cooper: 10.5
  3. Zach Allen: 8.5
  4. John Franklin-Myers: 7.0
  5. Jonah Elliss: 5.0
  6. Dondrea Tillman: 5.0
  7. Justin Strnad: 3.0
  8. Malcolm Roach: 2.5
  9. Cody Barton: 1.5
  10. D.J. Jones: 1.0
  11. P.J. Locke: 1.0
  12. Ja’Quan McMillian: 1.0
  13. Devon Key: 1.0
  14. Jordan Jackson: 1.0
  15. Drew Sanders: 1.0
  16. Eyioma Uwazurike: 0.5

Bonitto, Cooper, Allen, JFM and Ellis are all under contract for 2025, so the Broncos should be able to continue appling heavy pressure next season.

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Broncos led the NFL in sacks this season, the mark of ‘a top tier defense’

The Broncos led the NFL with 63 sacks this season, setting a new franchise record. That pressure made Denver “a top tier defense” in 2024.

The Denver Broncos‘ defense led the league with 63 sacks during the NFL’s 2024 regular season, setting a new franchise record.

“You said [63]? Man — that explains it all right there,” cornerback Pat Surtain said after the team’s regular season finale. “[Sixty-three] sacks, that’s unheard of. Credit to those guys. They just get it — they get after the quarterback. It makes my job easier. It makes our job in the backend much easier knowing that the guys that you have up front generate pressures, create sacks, create turnovers.

“It just gives us confidence as a defense and as whole. I’ll say without that rush, without that pressure — defensively that’s where it all starts with the guys going to work up front and providing pressure making us be more aggressive and making us be a top tier defense so far in the league. Credit to those guys for creating that mark and I still know they have much left in the tank for this playoff run. I’m glad that they’re on my team.”

Denver’s defense will face a tough test in the first round of the NFL playoffs as the Buffalo Bills’ offensive line allowed a league-low 14 sacks in 2024. If the Broncos are going to upset the Bills in the Wild Card round, Vance Joseph’s unit will need to continue bringing the heat up front.

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Broncos’ record-setting defense leads the NFL in sacks

The Broncos are on pace to lead the NFL in sacks and they have already broken the team’s single-season sack record with 58 sacks in 2024.

Going into a Week 13 game against the Cleveland Browns at the start of December, the Denver Broncos‘ defense ranked third in total yards allowed (296.0) and second in points allowed (16.8) per game in 2024.

Four games later, the Broncos’ defense now ranks 15th in yards allowed (330.8) and fifth in points allowed (19.4) per game. The drop off was initially attributed to the Riley Moss absence, but he also struggled in his first game back from a knee injury last week.

Moss and Co. will look to bounce back when Denver hosts the Kansas City Chiefs to wrap up the regular season in Week 18. Vance Joseph’s unit ranks sixth in takeaways (25) this season and first in sacks (58). With a six-sack lead on the Baltimore Ravens (52), the Broncos will likely end up leading the league in sacks this season.

Denver has already broken the franchise record for most sacks in a single season, beating the previous record of 57 sacks set in 1984. More recently, the Broncos totaled 52 sacks in 2015 (and in 2012 and 1991).

It’s an impressive accomplishment for Denver’s current group of defenders to collectively total more sacks than the team’s historic defenses of years past that included Von Miller, Simon Fletcher, DeMarcus Ware, Karl Mecklenburg and Elvis Dumervil.

The Broncos’ leader in sacks this season has been pass rusher Nik Bonitto, who was named a Pro Bowl starter with 11.5 sacks. Not far behind is fellow edge defender Jonathon Cooper (9.5), followed by Zach Allen (8.5), John Franklin-Myers (6.0), Jonah Ellis (5.0) and Dondrea Tillman (5.0).

This week, Denver’s defense will face Chiefs backup quarterback Carson Wentz, who has been sacked an average of 2.57 times per start in his career. The Broncos’ franchise record could extend beyond 60 sacks after Sunday.

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Chiefs DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah breaks down his sack on Christmas Day: ‘Snatch him down’

Kansas City #Chiefs defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah breaks down his sack on Christmas Day: ‘Snatch him down’ | @EdEastonJr

The Week 18 matchup for the Kansas City Chiefs against the Denver Broncos will be a signature moment for young players who haven’t had many opportunities on the field. One of the many young Chiefs players likely to see more playing time on Sunday will be second-year defensive lineman Felix Anudike-Uzomah.

Anudike-Uzomah spoke with reporters on Wednesday about the recent grueling three games in eleven days schedule.

“Our coaches always remind us to take care of our bodies just to make sure that we are in top shape to play those three games,” said Anudike-Uzomah. “So basically, we had to just focus on what we can control the whole time and pull through.”

In Kansas City’s fifth team sack on the day, Anudike-Uzomah dropped Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson in the backfield for a loss of five yards. He has three sacks in his two-year career and has logged 2.5 this season, including a takedown of Broncos quarterback Bo Nix.

“What I did was a play-action pass. I tried to power, snatch him down, and burn the edge,” said Anudike-Uzomah, describing his sack. “And then I came up with the sack.”

The former first-round selection has shown flashes on the crowded defensive line, and Sunday’s game could be a standout performance for the coaching staff to evaluate.

Chiefs DT Chris Jones praises veteran’s impact: ‘Vital for our defensive line’s success’

Kansas City #Chiefs DT Chris Jones praises Charles Omenihu’s impact: ‘Vital for our defensive line’s success’ | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs defense had its most productive game in Week 15’s victory over the Cleveland Browns. Multiple players with sacks and interceptions included veteran defensive lineman Charles Omenihu.

Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones spoke with reporters on Wednesday about Omenihu’s getting his first sack as necessary to motivate him for the postseason run.

“Well, the big relief (is that) Charles (Omenihu) got his first sack. We were able to make sure Charles got a sack and make sure you got in the rhythm,” said Jones. “We definitely need Charles playing his best, especially towards the end of the year, and creep up into the playoff. It can be vital for our defensive line success. I think he’s continuing to do that; Tershawn Wharton is playing some of his best ball right now. And got to keep George (Karlaftis) at it.”

Omenihu recorded his first sack since returning from injury two weeks ago. He now has eight sacks since joining the Chiefs in 2023. He missed six games to start last season due to suspension but still finished with ten sacks.

Nik Bonitto has matched an impressive Von Miller stat

Nik Bonitto and Von Miller are the only players in Broncos history to record 10+ sacks and grab a pick-six in the same season.

Denver Broncos pass rusher Nik Bonitto had another huge performance in a 41-32 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Monday Night Football in Week 13.

Bonitto recorded a sack and grabbed a 71-yard pick-six in the win. Following that impressive play, Bonitto became just the second player in franchise history to record at least ten sacks and a pick-six in the same season, joining Broncos legend Von Miller.

Nix’s 71-yard return was the third-longest by a linebacker in franchise history, only trailing Randy Gradishar (93 yards in 1980) and Tom Jackson (73 yards in 1977).

Bonitto reached a top speed of 19.88 mph on his return, the second-fastest among linebackers carrying the ball this season, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.

Following the play, the father of Broncos star cornerback Pat Surtain called for Bonitto to win the Defensive Player of the Year award.

Surtain Sr. certainly isn’t alone in his stance.

Bonitto still has another year on his contract after this season, but after giving Jonathon Cooper a big extension, Bonitto’s deal should be the team’s next priority.

“I’ve been trying to tell people I used to play safety back in the day and people are surprised,” Bonitto said after the game. “Just trying to do my job. When I saw a chance to break on the ball, I kind of just went and did that.”

Bonitto’s 11 sacks this season rank second in the NFL, only trailing Trey Hendrickson (11.5). He’ll look to build on that total after the bye when the Broncos host the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15.

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Broncos haven’t had a pass rusher as productive as Nik Bonitto in 6 years

Nik Bonitto (10.0) is the first Bronco to record double-digit sacks since Von Miller (14.5) and Bradley Chubb (12.0) did so in 2018.

Nik Bonitto’s historic pace continues.

The Denver Broncos‘ pass rusher recorded one sack in a 29-19 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, bringing his season-long total to 10 sacks. Bonitto became the team’s first player to record double-digit sacks in a single season since Von Miller (14.5) and Bradley Chubb (12.0) did so in 2018.

Amazingly, Bonitto said after the game that he’s never had a double-digit sack season since high school. He posted 0-, 3.5-, 8- and 7-sack seasons in four seasons at Oklahoma before being drafted by Denver in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft.

Pressure from Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper helped force a game-changing interception against the Raiders:

As a team, the Broncos have recorded 44 sacks this year, which ties for the second-most through 12 games in franchise history. The team’s all-time record was 47 sacks through the first 12 games of the 1986 season.

Bonitto and Co. will look to keep the momentum going when Denver hosts the Cleveland Browns on Monday Night Football in Week 13.

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Chiefs vs. Panthers: Mike Danna sacks Bryce Young for huge loss

#Chiefs DL Mike Danna sacked #Panthers QB Bryce Young for a huge loss during Kansas City’s Week 12 matchup against Carolina.

The Kansas City Chiefs are in the middle of a heated battle with the Carolina Panthers, and while Patrick Mahomes has struggled to get his offense in rhythm, the reigning Super Bowl champions’ defense is firing on all cylinders.

After a disappointing red zone trip by Kansas City that resulted in a field goal, the Chiefs’ defense stepped up and stopped quarterback Bryce Young’s hot start to Sunday’s game.

On a pivotal second down for Carolina on the Panthers’ side of the field, defensive end Mike Danna broke through the offensive line and brought down Young for a loss of 15.

Take a look at Danna’s sack, which was posted by the Chiefs’ official Twitter account:

If Danna can continue to bring pressure to the young quarterback, the reigning Super Bowl champs may be able to walk away from Sunday’s game with a win.

Stay tuned to see if the Chiefs’ defense can help Kansas City earn its tenth win of the regular season.

Broncos’ defensive dominance is a good omen for NFL playoffs

The Denver Broncos are on pace to finish in the top three in yards allowed and points allowed, which is a good sign for the playoffs.

Eleven games into the 2024 NFL season, the Denver Broncos rank third in yards allowed (289.4) and third in points allowed per game (16.6).

As NFL.com’s Kevin Patra pointed out on Twitter/X earlier this week, 44 teams have finished in the top three of both yards allowed and points allowed over the last 30 seasons. Of those teams, all 44 made the NFL playoffs and 19 of them made it at least to the conference championship game.

Vance Joseph’s unit certainly has the team on track to make some noise down the stretch.

“They’re playing great,” Broncos quarterback Bo Nix said of Denver’s defense. “They’re having a great year. They get us the ball back in a timely manner. They stop the offense. They keep it relatively low scoring. We have been good at certain points, and we haven’t at times on offense to parallel that. At the same time, they’re going to continue to play that way. We just have to continue to rely on them and know that they’re going to make plays. Then we kind of have to pick it up and match it when they do. We have to help them out and be there for them. They’ve done a spectacular job all year.”

After sacking Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins three times on Sunday, the Broncos now rank first in the NFL with 39 sacks this season. Perhaps even more impressive was the team holding Falcons star running back Bijan Robinson to just 35 rushing yards on 12 carries.

“He’s explosive,” coach Sean Payton said of Robinson. “Their wide-zone scheme, they do a great job with him. If that gets going, then everything else falls in place for the quarterback. We felt like the primary key to winning this game was when the game ended, who won the rushing battle. We know that they were a good rushing team, but they’re a hard team to beat if you don’t have an answer for him. He’s an extremely talented player. They do a great job by design. That was really important.”

Denver remains on pace to make the NFL playoffs, and if the defense continues playing at this level, the Broncos could make some noise in the postseason.

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