Oct 23, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) sacks San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) during the first half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
After the first month of the season, the Broncos were struggling finishing games. They blew fourth quarter leads against the Colts and Chiefs, and allowed the Seahawks to march down the field in overtime for a touchdown and the win.
With just two sacks in the first month of the season, it looked like it was going to take some time for Von Miller to re-acclimate himself after an ACL injury that sent him to injured reserve last season.
It didn’t end up taking that much time.
In the month of October, Miller was dominant. He helped the Broncos to the number one defense in total yardage allowed as well as rushing yardage allowed at under 50 yards per game. Miller was sensational over that timeframe, racking up seven sacks and a lot of plays resulting in a failure for the offense.
Miller’s dominance earned him defensive player of the month honors from the NFL, an award he credits to the work of the entire team. Whoever he wants to give credit to is just fine, but Miller knows as well as anyone that he is hitting a stride, and it doesn’t look all that different from the version we saw in 2012 when he could not be stopped from getting to the quarterback.
In fact, he might even be better this season.
Miller is back to his lighter playing weight after experimenting with coming back last season from suspension bulkier and stronger. He’s so quick off the ball, but Miller is not just a speed rusher and Broncos fans know that. He uses instincts, strength, a variety of moves, as well as that world-class speed to get to the quarterback, and it’s starting to look pretty easy for him.
That’s why I think Miller is on his way to re-establishing himself as the best pass rusher in the NFL if he hasn’t already. He’s making Broncos fans forget about the 2013 season that was really a dud as far as Miller is concerned, but the great thing is is he’s not focused on getting a lot of sacks. He wants to take the Lombardi Trophy to Denver.
“That’s when satisfaction for me will come,” Miller said. “I’m just here doing my job. It does feel great though to do your job and make everybody else’s job a whole bit easier. That’s where my minds at.”
Miller is also benefiting greatly from having a guy like DeMarcus Ware rushing on the opposite side of him, as well as a fully healthy interior defensive line with guys like Terrance Knighton, Derek Wolfe, Malik Jackson, and Sylvester Williams providing some ‘assists’ so to speak on alley-oop sacks to Miller.
But the fact remains, offensive linemen and tight ends or whoever stays in to block Von Miller can’t really do anything about it. He’s too big, too fast, too strong, and too good right now.