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Can Denver’s defense keep playing to the same standard?

Can Denver's defense keep playing to the same standard?


After one of the most exhilarating offseasons in Broncos history, the 2022 season is close at hand.

In just a few days, the Broncos will gather for training camp and begin to prepare for the regular season. The task is simple: Return to the playoffs for the first time since a Super Bowl 50 win — and perhaps challenge for another Lombardi Trophy.

As the Broncos embark on that effort, though, they’ll need to answer a series of questions that will help determine whether they can find success in Year 1 of the Russell Wilson era. Leading up to training camp, we’ll take a look at those questions that span across the roster.

Up next, we’ll take a look at the Broncos’ defense.

CAN THE BRONCOS’ DEFENSE KEEP PLAYING TO THE SAME STANDARD?

As Russell Wilson and Denver’s offense presumably take a massive step forward, it’s critical the defense doesn’t regress.

While the Broncos did not reach the postseason under former head coach Vic Fangio, their defensive prowess is hard to debate. The unit wasn’t perfect — there were times when the secondary allowed too many deep passes and the run defense struggled in 2021 — but it was the strength of the team.

In 2021, the Broncos posted the third-best scoring defense in the league, and the unit boasted the league’s top red-zone defense in both 2019 and 2020.

As far back as 2016, when the Broncos’ playoff drought began, Denver had the best defense in the NFL under former defensive coordinator Wade Phillips.

If the Broncos are to battle their way out of the tough AFC West and into the postseason, they cannot solely rely on a new-look offense.

“It’s going to be extremely crucial,” safety Justin Simmons said in February of maintaining the standard of play. “If anything, [when the] offense gets going, we’re just going to have to be better. Once we’re able to score more points, whatever that looks like, we’re going to have to be able to go out there and stop teams giving their best shot. We’re going to get their best plays, we’re going to get…

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