Denver Broncos: Defense responded to Von Miller vs Arizona
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller had strong comments earlier in the week. Denver responded with a victory over the Arizona Cardinals.
Earlier in the week, before their Thursday night primetime game against the Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller told media members that the team was going to “go out there and kick their [butt]”.
Miller made good on the promise, and the Broncos defeated Arizona 45-10.
After going multiple games without a sack, Miller has shown up in recent weeks. Last week against the Los Angeles Rams, Miller recorded 1.5 sacks. Against Arizona on Thursday, he had two more.
Three other players recorded sacks on Thursday night: defensive lineman Zach Kerr and linebacker Shaquil Barrett with one each, and rookie first-round linebacker Bradley Chubb with two.
Derek Wolfe tipped a pass which forced a Todd Davis interception that he ran for a touchdown. Brandon McManus’ extra point made it 7-0 just 59 seconds into the game.
The Broncos intercepted rookie quarterback Josh Rosen three times, including the first one coming inside the first minute of the game—a Todd Davis pick-six. Denver’s second pick-six was from cornerback Chris Harris Jr with just over two minutes left in the first quarter. It came on a pass intended for Cardinals receiver JJ Nelson.
Nelson stopped on the route and therefore was not where quarterback Josh Rosen expected him to be. The secondary of the Broncos had a tremendous game against Arizona.
Rosen connected on just 53 percent of his passes while throwing three interceptions.
The most eye-opening accomplishment, though, was from the team’s run defense. After allowing a 200-yard rusher two weeks in a row, the Broncos held Arizona’s star running back David Johnson to just 39 yards on 14 carries.
This was a vast improvement from recent weeks. Although Johnson has not recorded a 100-yard performance this season, he definitely has the ability to. That is what makes this defensive performance even sweeter.
The Broncos really showed up on Thursday night.
Next. Five ways the Broncos kicked the Cardinals' butt. dark
Even though the victory came against one of, if not the worst team in the league, it is still a good starting point to get back on track. This could be the spark of something great to come for the Broncos.
The Broncos have a couple of extra days to prepare to head to Arrowhead Stadium to face the Kansas City Chiefs.