Only Thing Keeping Contender Status for the Denver Broncos

In the NFL, contender status is often a delicate balance—one that can tip toward irrelevance with a single losing streak or positional collapse. For the 2024 Denver Broncos, that balance is being held together by one unshakable force: their "Grim Reapers" defense. Only Thing Keeping Contender Status for the Denver Broncos isn’t a star quarterback, a prolific running back, or a flashy wide receiver—it’s a defensive unit that has repeatedly bailed out an inconsistent offense, secured last-minute wins, and neutralized the AFC’s top playmakers. Through 14 weeks, the Broncos sit at 9-5, clinging to a wild-card spot, but their offense ranks just 22nd in points per game (20.1) and 18th in yards per play (5.4). Without their defense—ranked 3rd in points allowed (17.8) and 2nd in takeaways (26)—the Broncos would likely be watching the playoffs from home. This defense isn’t just a strength; it’s the lifeline keeping their contender hopes alive.

Only Thing Keeping Contender Status for the Denver Broncos was never more evident than in their Week 12 win over the Cleveland Browns, a game where the offense mustered just 16 points and turned the ball over twice. With the score tied 16-16 and 2 minutes left, the Browns drove to the Broncos’ 25-yard line, poised to kick a game-winning field goal. But the Grim Reapers stepped in: defensive end Zach Allen sacked Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, forcing a fumble that linebacker Alex Singleton recovered and returned 32 yards to set up Wil Lutz’s game-winning 43-yard field goal. It was a classic example of the defense’s ability to erase offensive mistakes—something they’ve done in six of the Broncos’ nine wins this season. "Our offense has its moments, but this defense is why we’re in every game," Broncos head coach Sean Payton admitted after the game. "They don’t just stop teams—they create opportunities. Without them, we’re not talking about playoffs right now." The numbers back this up: the Broncos’ defense has generated 18 turnovers that led to points, accounting for 40% of their total offensive scoring.

A key reason Only Thing Keeping Contender Status for the Denver Broncos is the defense’s elite ability to neutralize the NFL’s top offenses—especially in the tough AFC West. Against divisional rivals like the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers, who rank 1st and 5th in scoring respectively, the Broncos’ defense has held them to an average of 19.2 points per game—10 points below their season averages. In their Week 13 win over the Chiefs, the defense limited Patrick Mahomes to 210 passing yards (his lowest total of the season) and intercepted him twice, including a fourth-quarter pick by cornerback Patrick Surtain II that sealed the victory. Surtain, a two-time Pro Bowler, has been the unit’s backbone, holding opposing No. 1 receivers to a 47tch rate and zero touchdowns this season. "We take pride in shutting down the best," Surtain said. "When you play in the AFC West, you have to stop guys like Tyreek Hill and Keenan Allen every week—and we’ve done that." This ability to neutralize elite talent has turned potential blowouts into close wins, keeping the Broncos in the divisional and wild-card races despite offensive struggles.

Only Thing Keeping Contender Status for the Denver Broncos also stems from the defense’s remarkable consistency, even when key players have missed time. In Week 8, defensive tackle Mike Purcell missed his second straight game with an ankle injury, and rookie defensive tackle Elijah Garcia was forced to start in his place. Despite the inexperience, the defense held the Las Vegas Raiders to 12 points and zero rushing touchdowns—marking the seventh time this season they’ve held an opponent to fewer than 20 points. This depth is no accident: general manager George Paton has invested heavily in the defensive line and secondary over the past two drafts, selecting Garcia in the 2024 fourth round and cornerback Riley Moss in the third round. "We built this defense to be resilient," Paton said. "You can’t rely on one or two players in the NFL—you need depth. That’s why we’ve focused on drafting and developing defensive talent. It’s paying off now." For the Denver Broncos, this consistency is critical: in a league where injuries derail most teams, their defense has stayed elite, ensuring the team never falls out of contention for long.

Another factor making Only Thing Keeping Contender Status for the Denver Broncos is the defense’s ability to keep the team in games even when the offense is completely stagnant. In their Week 9 loss to the Buffalo Bills, the offense managed just 13 points and 220 total yards, but the defense held the Bills to 20 points—keeping the Broncos within striking distance until the final minute. In Week 7, against the Chicago Bears, the offense went three-and-out five times in the first half, but the defense shut out the Bears until the fourth quarter, allowing the Broncos to rally for a 17-10 win. "This defense gives us a chance to win even on days when we can’t get anything going offensively," Broncos quarterback Bo Nix said. "As an offense, that takes pressure off us—but it also makes us want to play better, because we know they’re out there fighting for us." For the Denver Broncos, this dynamic has created a unique team identity: an offense that relies on the defense to stay in games, and a defense that takes pride in carrying the load. It’s not an ideal formula for a Super Bowl contender, but it’s enough to keep them in the mix.

Looking ahead, Only Thing Keeping Contender Status for the Denver Broncos will face its biggest test in the playoff stretch, with matchups against the Chargers and Bills—two teams that have historically struggled against the Broncos’ defense but have the firepower to exploit any weaknesses. If the defense can maintain its elite level, the Broncos could make a deep playoff run, even with an offense that ranks in the middle of the pack. But if the defense slips—whether due to injury, fatigue, or opposing game plans—the Broncos’ contender status will vanish quickly. Payton and defensive coordinator Vance Joseph have already started preparing for this, adding new blitz packages and focusing on limiting turnovers (a weak spot that cost the Broncos two games earlier in the season). "This defense has been our rock," Joseph said. "We need to make sure it stays that way. The playoffs are won by great defenses, and we have one of the best." For the Denver Broncos, the message is clear: their defense is the only thing standing between them and a lost season. If it can keep performing at an elite level, they’ll have a shot at shocking the NFL. If not, their contender status will be nothing more than a memory.