Unsung hero on defense helps the Broncos get an illusive win

The Denver Broncos got back in the win column in Week 7. In a matchup of two bad teams, the Broncos came out on top of the Green Bay Packers 19-17. This was the first win at home for Broncos this season, and it was HC Sean Payton’s first win in front of the home crowd.

Are things trending in the right direction, specifically for the Broncos defense? Over the last two games, one win and one loss (to the Kansas City Chiefs), the Broncos defense has held opponents to 19 and 17 points respectively. The Broncos are now 2-5 with another game coming up against the Chiefs in Week 8.

After the game, Payton was happy to win at home.

“(I’m) pleased for our players. This game’s—after a while you see enough of it. The ability to kind of get on to the next play, put the adversity behind you—it’s going to come in each game. The teams that have that trait generally fare better. I was glad to see us do that. We had some tough breaks, tough calls, but you have to keep playing. Anyway, glad we ended up with a win.” Payton said.

Here are three observations from the Broncos win over the Packers in Week 7.

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Locke it Down

Broncos starting safety Kareem Jackson was kicked out of this game for another big hit. In his place, the Broncos turned to P.J. Locke. He responded with a game-clinching interception to stop the Packers’ final drive.

It was great to see Locke back out there. He was lost to a foot injury in training camp, and Locke began the 2023 season on Injured Reserve. This automatically cost him the first four games of the season, but Locke was back out there in Week 7 and seemed to be full strength.

While Jackson is a hard hitter, Locke has more athleticism. One could easily make the argument that Jackson would not have had the speed to race across the field for the interception like Locke did.
After the win, Locke explained what he saw on that play.

“I was in a half. Normally when I’m in a half, I stay as the deepest man. I read the quarterback and I see the quarterback on the opposite side of the field. He threw it and I didn’t hesitate. I saw the ball in the air and I was like, ‘It’s mine.’” Locke said.

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Tackling an Issue… Still

There are improvements to acknowledge from the Broncos defense over the last two games. However, there are still things this team needs to improve massively in order for the defense to play much better. First and foremost, the Broncos need to be a better tackling team.

This was evident on a few plays, but mainly it was when the team went to stop Packers’ power back A.J. Dillon. Multiple players didn’t bring Dillon down, and he’s tough to bring down, but there needs to be better effort when playing that type of player.

I’d like to see this defense get more plays they can score on, but first I’d just like to see them smother the run better. Had the Packers not gotten into penalties on their final drive, perhaps a player like Dillon could have sealed their victory.

Star safety Justin Simmons knows his team has more to work on, regardless of the progress the defense seems to have made over the last two weeks.

“One of the things that we need to continue to work on is, there always seems to be like that one play that happens, and we can kind of get caught up. Maybe (it) was a bad call, this that or the other, but you got to move on to the next play. In the second half, we are doing a terrible job of getting off the field. We had opportunities and third downs and things like that and we kept saying, ‘We’re going to make a play; we’re going to make a play.’ Believe in it and [S] P.J. [Locke] came up with a big play.” Simmons said.

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Browning is Back!

I believe in Baron Browning. He missed the start of the regular season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn meniscus. On Sunday, Browning was playing for the first time this season.

I like the young group of EDGE rushers on this team, with Browning perhaps having the largest upside of any of those players. As he gets healthier this year, I want to see Browning take the strides he was on the path for this season. This game wasn’t perfect, but it was good to see Browning out there for the Broncos.

A couple of offsides penalties in the second half marred his return, but I can give him a pass. Not only did the Broncos win, but Browning was just getting his feet under him for the 2023 season. He’s not known to get a lot of penalties when on the field, so I will give him a pass for these gaffes.

Browning commented on how it felt to be back out there.

“I just wanted to do my job and help boost the defense. I just wanted to go out there and make plays. I knew I was going to play. I just did not really want to deal with all the media. Coming off injury, I just wanted to focus and not deal with the distractions. I wanted to be able to take it all in. Sometimes it can kind of be a lot. I just wanted to focus. I have been on the outside looking in the last few months. I just wanted to embrace it and take it in and get back with my teammates. Not saying I am not a part of the team, but it is not the same when you are injured. I just wanted to appreciate this opportunity to be back out there with this group.” Browning said.

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