The Lead
Following the Broncos' defense's strong start to the season, national NFL analysts are sharing their appreciation for Denver's pass rush.
In a recent episode of "The Mina Kimes Show," ESPN’s Kimes pointed to the Broncos’ pass rush as a strength of the team and a key factor in determining the outcome of Sunday's matchup with the Jets.
"If this pass rush plays the way they have, that ball's going to come out pretty quick," Kimes said. "I mean, I know Aaron Rodgers was moving around a bit against New England — which was really encouraging by the way — but he wants to win from the pocket. He wants to win quickly. And he's going to have to, I think, because this Broncos pass rush has been really impressive."
Kimes said after three weeks of play, she has "seen enough" to believe Denver's pass rush is a "pretty legit group."
"I think that is extremely meaningful against this Jets offensive line, which has been good, but, of course, did lose the right tackle," Kimes said, "and there's definitely an opportunity there."
Kimes specifically called out three players in outside linebackers Jonathon Cooper and Nik Bonitto and defensive end Zach Allen in her analysis, and all three players have found success.
Cooper has posted three sacks through three games, and he could become the first Bronco since Von Miller in 2021 to record at least four sacks in the first four weeks of a season. Bonitto was one of several Broncos to tally his first sack of the season against Tampa Bay, and he stepped into a starting role after Baron Browning was placed on injured reserve.
Allen, meanwhile, is tied for the second most quarterback knockdowns in the NFL through three weeks. According to ESPN Analytics and the NFL's Next Gen Stats, Allen ranks first and Malcolm Roach ranks sixth in the league in pass-rush win rate for defensive tackles.
The Broncos also feature John Franklin-Myers, D.J. Jones, Jonah Elliss and Dondrea Tillman as options to get after the quarterback.
Kimes noted the group, as a whole, is third in pass-rush win rate and third in pressure rate without blitzing. Toss in a blitz rate of 50 percent that ranks first in the NFL, and the Broncos have started the season strong.
"I've always said that our rushers were underrated," Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph said Thursday. "Once we get a lead and having 'JFM' [Franklin-Myers] inside pushing the pocket with Zach, you'll see 'Coop' and those guys come alive, and I believe that. They're a lot better than people think they are. It comes with having a lead. It comes with getting people down and getting multiple chances to rush the passer. Those guys will play well."
