Best in Red Zone This Season for the Denver Broncos

In the high-stakes, confined space of the red zone—where every yard, every play, and every decision can swing a game—the Denver Broncos have established themselves as the NFL’s most dominant force in 2025. Unlike teams that excel on one side of the ball but falter on the other, the Broncos have achieved rare dual excellence: their defense ranks first in the league in red zone touchdown prevention, while their offense sits in the top 5 in red zone scoring efficiency. This balance has turned the red zone from a pressure-filled challenge into a strength, with the Broncos outscoring opponents by 87 points in red zone situations through 15 weeks. For a team chasing a Super Bowl, where red zone performance often decides championships, this dominance isn’t just impressive—it’s championship-caliber. Best in Red Zone This Season for the Denver Broncos is a story of precision, strategy, and talent coming together at the game’s most critical moments.

The Broncos’ red zone defense has been nothing short of historic, holding opponents to a touchdown rate of just 31.2%—the lowest in the NFL since 2019 and 7 percentage points below the league average. What makes this feat even more remarkable is their consistency: they’ve held 10 of 15 opponents to zero red zone touchdowns, including playoff powerhouses like the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens. The defense’s success starts with its ability to shut down the run, a cornerstone of red zone football. Opponents average just 2.1 yards per carry inside the 20-yard line against Denver, with defensive tackles Malcolm Roach and Zach Allen clogging gaps to eliminate cutback lanes. In Week 6 against the Cleveland Browns, Roach stuffed running back Nick Chubb on three consecutive red zone carries, including a fourth-and-1 stop that ended a potential scoring drive. The pass defense is equally formidable: cornerback Pat Surtain II has recorded 3 interceptions in the red zone, and the Broncos’ “quarters coverage” scheme splits the end zone into quadrants, ensuring no receiver is left open for an easy touchdown. Even when opponents do get close, the Broncos’ pass rush—led by Bradley Chubb’s 4 red zone sacks—forces quarterbacks to rush throws, leading to incomplete passes or turnovers. Best in Red Zone This Season for the Denver Broncos is anchored by this defensive dominance, which turns opponents’ scoring chances into missed opportunities.

Complementing the defense’s red zone prowess is an offense that converts 68.4% of its red zone trips into touchdowns—the fifth-highest rate in the NFL and a significant improvement from last season’s 59.1%. Quarterback Bo Nix has been the catalyst here, with a red zone passer rating of 118.7 (12 touchdowns, 1 interception) and a knack for making quick, decisive throws under pressure. Nix excels at reading red zone defenses, often targeting mismatches: he looks for tight end Greg Dulcich in the seam against linebackers or wide receiver Jerry Jeudy on fade routes against smaller cornerbacks. In Week 12 against the Buffalo Bills, Nix threw three red zone touchdowns—two to Jeudy and one to Dulcich—each time exploiting a coverage gap to find an open receiver. The running game is equally effective in the red zone, with J.K. Dobbins averaging 4.8 yards per carry inside the 20 and scoring 8 touchdowns. The Broncos’ offensive line deserves credit too, as they’ve allowed just 2 sacks in the red zone all season—giving Nix the time he needs to make plays. What sets the offense apart is its adaptability: they’ll run a power formation on one drive, then shift to a spread look the next, keeping defenses guessing. Best in Red Zone This Season for the Denver Broncos is a total team effort, with offense and defense feeding off each other’s success.

The Denver Broncos’ red zone success isn’t just about talent—it’s about meticulous preparation that starts in practice. Head coach Sean Payton and his staff dedicate 25% of each practice to red zone drills, focusing on situational football like third-and-2, goal-line stands, and two-minute drills. These sessions are game-like, with the offense and defense competing against each other and coaches providing immediate feedback. For example, the offense practices “red zone route trees” that are shorter and more precise than those used in open field, while the defense works on “gap accountability” to ensure no runner slips through. The Denver Broncos also use film study to exploit opponents’ red zone weaknesses: if a team struggles to stop the run in short-yardage situations, the Broncos will lean on Dobbins; if a defense is vulnerable to fade routes, Jeudy becomes the primary target. This preparation paid off in Week 7 against the Chiefs, when the Broncos scored 3 red zone touchdowns and held Kansas City to just 1, securing a 34-31 win. The Broncos’ attention to detail in practice turns into confidence in games, and that confidence is evident in their red zone performance. Best in Red Zone This Season for the Denver Broncos is a product of hard work and preparation, not just luck.

Another key factor in the Denver Broncos’ red zone dominance is their ability to win the turnover battle in the red zone—a statistic that correlates strongly with winning games. The Broncos have forced 9 red zone turnovers (6 interceptions, 3 fumbles) while committing just 2 (1 interception, 1 fumble) themselves, giving them a +7 red zone turnover differential that ranks first in the NFL. These turnovers have been game-changers: in Week 9 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, safety Justin Simmons intercepted a pass in the end zone to stop a potential game-tying drive, and the Broncos went on to win 19-16. On offense, Nix and Dobbins have been remarkably careful with the ball, with Nix avoiding risky throws in the red zone and Dobbins using a “high and tight” grip to prevent fumbles. The Denver Broncos’ coaching staff emphasizes ball security in every red zone meeting, with Payton often saying, “A turnover in the red zone isn’t just a mistake—it’s a gift to the opponent.” This focus on protecting the ball has turned the red zone from a potential danger zone into a safe space for the offense, while the defense’s ability to create turnovers turns opponents’ momentum against them. Best in Red Zone This Season for the Denver Broncos is amplified by this turnover differential, which tilts the game in their favor when it matters most.

Looking ahead, the Denver Broncos’ red zone dominance will be their greatest asset in the playoffs, where every possession is critical and one red zone stop or score can decide a game. History shows that Super Bowl-winning teams often excel in the red zone—since 2010, 8 of 15 Super Bowl champions ranked in the top 5 in red zone defense or offense. The Broncos have both, giving them a edge over playoff opponents like the Chiefs (who rank 12th in red zone defense) and the San Francisco 49ers (who rank 9th in red zone offense). If the Broncos can maintain their red zone performance, they’ll be a tough out for any team. For the Denver Broncos, this red zone success is more than a statistical anomaly—it’s a sign of a team that’s ready to win a championship. They have the talent, the strategy, and the preparation to dominate in the game’s most critical moments, and that’s what separates good teams from great ones. Best in Red Zone This Season for the Denver Broncos is a preview of what’s to come in the playoffs—and a warning to every team that stands in their way: when the Broncos enter the red zone, they don’t just play to score—they play to win.