The Denver Broncos definitely have some encouraging things happening as we approach Week 4. Let's look at three early bright spots. A 1-2 record through three games does not mean that the Broncos are a bad football team.
It feels like they are far from; this team blew out the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3, have a positive point differential, and have an elite defense. When you broadly look at the team, the last piece of the puzzle is the offense, and if that unit can get going, the Broncos are all of a sudden a complete football team.
There have been some bright spots here and there for the team through three games. In Week 4, they'll have their toughest test of the season against the New York Jets. But before we get there, let's look at three early bright spots for the team.
3 early bright spots for the Denver Broncos in the 2024 NFL Season
Bo Nix's pocket awareness
Bo Nix has attempted 113 passes through three games, and has been sacked four times. He's on pace to take just 23 sacks in 2024, which is flat-out insane. The best quarterbacks in the NFL today are only taking around that 25 sack mark. Last year, Patrick Mahomes was sacked 27 times. Josh Allen was sacked 24 times in 2023.
This is great stuff from Bo Nix, and nothing has encapsulated just how good he's been in the pocket than this video:
Blessed because Bo Nix is my QB🥹 pic.twitter.com/mv1XOINRqY
— Strez (@Its_Strez) September 23, 2024
Now yes, Nix was out of the pocket here, but the feel for the backside pressure is simply uncanny from a rookie QB. Nix has been able to get the ball out quickly and like in this play, has been able to use his legs to his advantage. Him being this efficient in the pocket after three games in the NFL really makes you encouraged for what he can do when he hits his stride.
Sprinkle that in with a very good offensive mind in Sean Payton, and the Broncos are cooking with fire.
Zach Allen and Jonathon Cooper
Two of the very best players at generating pressure in the NFL right now are on the Denver Broncos. Zach Allen and Jonathon Cooper are turning into stars in front of our very eyes and have just been on fire for the Broncos in the 2024 NFL Season.
According to PFF, Zach Allen is tied for second in the NFL with 18 pressures through three weeks:
QB pressure leaders after three weeks 💪 pic.twitter.com/ZwGKEaXqcu
— PFF (@PFF) September 26, 2024
He's also doing this from the defensive interior, which is extra impressive. Jonathon Cooper is also having an insane start to the season. According to ESPN's numbers, Cooper ranks 15th among all EDGE rushers in pass rush win rate, and 9th among EDGEs in run stop win rate. Both Allen and Cooper are clearly playing themselves into contract extensions with the Broncos next offseason.
And Denver should take care of each player if they continue this play up. Part of what has made the Broncos' defense so great in 2024 is the ability of Allen and Cooper to consistently generate pressure.
The secondary play
How about this secondary? For those who care about PFF grades, CB Riley Moss ranks 23rd among 97 cornerbacks. Brandon Jones ranks 2nd among 75 safeties, and PJ Locke III ranks 18th among safeties. The entire secondary has been electric this year, and the emergence of Riley Moss as a legitimate CB2 gives Denver a high-end trio of CBs with Pat Surtain II and Ja'Quan McMillian.
The Denver Broncos are allowing just 133.3 passing yards per game, which is good for 2nd in the NFL, only behind the Seattle Seahawks, who have played much easier opponents. Overall, the secondary has been a huge positive for the Broncos. And it's spilling with youth as well.
All of Jones, Locke III, McMillian, Surtain, and Moss are 27 years old or younger, and that does not even consider guys like JL Skinner and Kris Abrams-Draine who are waiting in the wings. Denver may have successfuly rebuilt their secondary, and they've got Surtain, Jones, and Locke III under contract for at least through the 2025 NFL Season.