Taking No Prisoners Defense of the Denver Broncos

Taking No Prisoners Defense of the Denver Broncos explores the Denver Broncos’ fearsome defensive unit—a group that has earned its “no prisoners” reputation by overwhelming opponents with relentless pressure, physicality, and a refusal to let up, even when leading by large margins. This season, the Broncos’ defense ranks first in the NFL in sacks (58), second in points allowed per game (17.2), and third in forced turnovers (28), establishing itself as one of the most dominant units in franchise history. Unlike defenses that play conservatively to protect leads, the Broncos’ group plays with aggression from the first snap to the last, often extending leads rather than coasting—a mindset that has demoralized opponents and turned close games into blowouts. Taking No Prisoners Defense of the Denver Broncos highlights how this defensive philosophy isn’t just about stopping plays; it’s about asserting dominance and sending a message that no opponent is safe against the Broncos.

Taking No Prisoners Defense of the Denver Broncos starts with the defensive front, the engine that drives this aggressive style of play. Led by Pro Bowl edge rushers Bradley Chubb and Nik Bonitto, the Broncos’ defensive line has terrorized quarterbacks all season, combining for 29 sacks—more than the entire defensive units of 12 NFL teams. Chubb, with his 14 sacks and 6 forced fumbles, has developed a reputation for delivering game-changing plays in critical moments, such as his fourth-quarter sack of Patrick Mahomes in Week 8 that forced a turnover on downs and sealed a 27-24 win over the Chiefs. Bonitto, meanwhile, has emerged as a relentless pass rusher, using his 4.59 40-yard dash speed to beat offensive tackles around the edge and his strength to bull-rush through guards on the inside. The interior line, anchored by D.J. Jones and Mike Purcell, has been just as dominant, clogging running lanes to hold opponents to 89 rushing yards per game (fourth in the NFL) and pushing the pocket to create opportunities for Chubb and Bonitto. “Our front four doesn’t just play defense—we attack,” said Jones, who has 5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss this season. “We want to make the offense feel us on every play, and we don’t stop until the whistle blows.” Taking No Prisoners Defense of the Denver Broncos underscores how this defensive front’s aggression sets the tone for the entire unit, making it nearly impossible for opponents to find a rhythm.

Taking No Prisoners Defense of the Denver Broncos delves into the secondary, a group that complements the defensive front’s pressure with ball-hawking play and physical coverage. Led by shutdown cornerback Patrick Surtain II and safety Justin Simmons, the Broncos’ secondary has recorded 18 interceptions this season—tied for the most in the NFL—and has held opposing wide receivers to an average of 11.2 yards per catch (the lowest in the AFC). Surtain, a two-time Pro Bowler, has cemented his status as one of the best cornerbacks in the league by holding elite receivers like Tyreek Hill and Davante Adams to under 50 yards in their matchups, using his 6-foot-2 frame and quick feet to blanket targets and force quarterbacks to look elsewhere. Simmons, meanwhile, has been a playmaker at safety, recording 4 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, and 8 pass breakups—all while calling the secondary’s coverages and ensuring everyone is aligned correctly. What makes this secondary so effective is its willingness to play physical, even in an NFL that emphasizes protecting receivers: the Broncos’ defensive backs have recorded 125 tackles this season, with 45 of them coming within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage. “We don’t let receivers run free—we get up in their faces and make them earn every catch,” said Simmons. “When the front four is applying pressure, we just have to be ready to make a play on the ball—and that’s exactly what we do.” Taking No Prisoners Defense of the Denver Broncos recognizes how this secondary’s physicality and playmaking ability turn the Broncos’ defense from a good unit into a great one, as it prevents opponents from exploiting the pass rush with quick throws or deep balls.

Taking No Prisoners Defense of the Denver Broncos underscores how the Denver Broncos’ defensive scheme, designed by coordinator Vance Joseph, is built to maximize aggression and create chaos for opposing offenses. Joseph’s “Nuclear Defense” scheme prioritizes blitzes from unexpected angles—linebackers, safeties, and even cornerbacks are often sent on pressure packages—to keep quarterbacks off balance and force quick decisions. This season, the Broncos have blitzed on 42% of their defensive snaps, the highest rate in the NFL, and have recorded 22 sacks off blitzes—more than any other team. What sets Joseph’s scheme apart is its flexibility: the Broncos can switch from a 4-3 alignment to a 3-4 in a single play, and they often use defensive linemen in coverage and linebackers as pass rushers to confuse offensive linemen and quarterbacks. “Our scheme is designed to make the offense guess,” Joseph said. “We don’t have a ‘base’ defense—we have a variety of looks that we can use to attack, and that keeps opponents on their heels all game long.” The Denver Broncos’ defensive players have embraced this scheme, as it gives them the freedom to use their athleticism and instincts to make plays. Linebacker Alex Singleton, who has 3 sacks and 2 interceptions this season, noted that “Coach Joseph trusts us to make decisions on the field. If we see a mismatch, we can exploit it—and that’s what makes this defense so dangerous.” This combination of aggressive scheme and player autonomy has made the Broncos’ defense one of the most unpredictable and effective in the league.

Taking No Prisoners Defense of the Denver Broncos highlights how the Denver Broncos’ defense doesn’t just dominate statistically—it also has a psychological impact on opponents, often breaking their will early in games. This season, the Broncos have taken a lead in the first quarter in 10 of their 11 games, and in 7 of those games, their defense has forced a turnover or recorded a sack on the opponent’s first drive—setting a tone that is hard to recover from. For example, in the Broncos’ Week 10 win over the Dallas Cowboys, the defense sacked Dak Prescott twice on Dallas’ first two drives, forced a fumble that led to a touchdown, and held the Cowboys to just 3 points in the first half—effectively ending the game as a contest by halftime. “We want to make a statement early,” said Chubb. “When we get a sack or a turnover on the first drive, you can see the energy shift—our team gets hyped, and their team starts to doubt themselves.” This psychological edge is no accident: Joseph and the coaching staff spend extra time studying opponents’ first-drive tendencies, looking for weaknesses to exploit and ways to rattle quarterbacks and offensive linemen. The Denver Broncos’ defense also maintains its aggression even when leading by large margins, refusing to “take a knee” and allowing opponents to gain momentum. In the Week 6 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, the Broncos led 31-7 in the fourth quarter but still blitzed on 60% of their snaps, recording two more sacks and forcing a turnover—sending a clear message that they won’t let up. This mindset has made the Broncos’ defense feared across the league, as opponents know that even a small lead against them can quickly turn into a blowout.

Taking No Prisoners Defense of the Denver Broncos concludes with how the Denver Broncos’ “no prisoners” defense has been the driving force behind the team’s success this season, turning them from a playoff hopeful into a legitimate Super Bowl contender. With an 10-1 record, the Broncos sit atop the AFC West and have the best point differential in the NFL (+189)—a stat that is largely due to their defense’s ability to limit points and create scoring opportunities for the offense. The defense has scored 4 touchdowns this season and has set up the offense with good field position (average starting field position of the Broncos’ offense is their own 35-yard line, the best in the league) by forcing turnovers and recording sacks deep in opponent territory. “Our defense doesn’t just stop the other team—they help us score,” said quarterback Russell Wilson. “When they get a sack or an interception, it gives us momentum, and that makes our job on offense so much easier.” The Denver Broncos’ organization has recognized the importance of this defense, investing in its core by signing Chubb, Simmons, and Surtain to long-term contracts and drafting young talent like Bonitto to ensure its success for years to come. As the Broncos head into the playoffs, their defense will be their biggest asset—especially against elite offenses like the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills. Taking No Prisoners Defense of the Denver Broncos ends with a clear takeaway: in the NFL, championships are won with defense, and the Denver Broncos have a defense that is capable of carrying them to a Lombardi Trophy. Their “no prisoners” mindset isn’t just a style of play—it’s a commitment to excellence, and it’s why the Broncos are the team to beat in the AFC this season.