WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — Several days before the Broncos' Week 3 win over Tampa Bay, Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph took notice.
Ahead of a matchup against the 2-0 Buccaneers, Joseph and the Broncos' defensive coaching staff installed an intricate game plan to try to slow Tampa Bay's early season offensive success.
And as Joseph watch his team during the Wednesday practice ahead of Week 3, he was impressed with the unit's ability to put the plan in motion.
"I think the players are really, really engaged every week, and they take to the game plan quickly," Joseph said Thursday. "I thought last week, I was so impressed with Wednesday's practice because the game plan [had] more into it, [and] it was more complicated. They took to it quickly, and they got it right on the first day. That was a good sign."
When the defense is able to show those early indications of digesting the game plan, Joseph said, that allows the team to fine-tune its plan of attack.
"We have guys who are studying, who are doing things right," Joseph said. "That allows me to help them, if they can digest game plans. It's a smart group. It's young in some areas. It has enough veterans to push us forward, and I've been proud to watch them play and have fun each week."
Through three weeks, the Broncos' defense has been among the league's top units. Denver ranks third in total defense, sixth in points allowed and tied for eighth in takeaways. Joseph's defense has blitzed at the highest rate in the NFL, and the unit is tied for fifth in sacks.
Joseph said the Broncos' attacking style of defense is predicated on best using the talents of his players.
"[Super Bowl 50-winning defensive coordinator] Wade [Phillips] taught me this years ago," Joseph said. "It's not the scheme, but it's players first. So the scheme evolves around the players we kind of signed last year. So we signed a bunch of [defensive] linemen that were twitchy and fast and active guys. So you kind of fit the scheme to those guys' skill set. It's always players first and scheme second."
Denver's blitz rate, meanwhile, is driven by a game-by-game approach.
"The pressure rate is just game-planning, right?" Joseph said. "Sometimes you're going to bring pressure. Sometimes you don't. We're a 3-4 front, so it can be a four-man rush that sometimes looks like a five-man rush and it's not really five. We have simulated pressure that look like five [and it's] only four. It's just calling plays and having game plans to stop what they do best. That's our first order of business, and the game plan also helps our players to navigate their job. So every week is different. We'll see what happens on Sunday, but every plan is to help our players play well."
Against the Jets, the Broncos' defense faces another stiff test. New York quarterback Aaron Rodgers posted a season-high 118.9 quarterback rating in Week 3 as he completed 77.1 percent of his passes for 281 yards and two touchdowns. Through three weeks, Rodgers has thrown five touchdowns and just one interception.
"The quarterback is obviously special," Joseph said. "He's a [Pro Football] Hall of Fame player. He's played a long time."
Joseph also pointed out the unique challenge of playing Rodgers, who thrived in Week 3 against the blitz. When New England brought pressure, Rodgers was 8-of-11 for 91 yards, two touchdowns and a 136.7 passer rating. Joseph said the Broncos found Rodgers has only been sacked by a four-man rush in recent years, which means they may have to vary their approach.
"Pressure doesn't bother this guy," Joseph said. "He's going to see it. He's seen every kind of pressure you can give him. Obviously, when you're playing a guy like this, you have to be in his head a little bit as far as knowing what he sees and knowing what you're showing him and taking it away. He has seen it all. It's our job to obviously win our one-on-ones. That's the challenge. He's the quarterback; he doesn't catch the ball. So we have to win our one-on-ones, rush the passer, stop the run and do NFL things this Sunday to win."
In the early part of the season, the Broncos' defense has played up to a standard that has put the team within striking distance of winning all three contests.
On Sunday at MetLife Stadium, Joseph and the Broncos' defense will look to continue that top-notch play.
