In a game where the Denver Broncos’ offense seemed to be stuck in neutral for most of the contest, the defense stepped up to the plate – scoring a touchdown of their own as they overcame the Indianapolis Colts 31-13 at home.
It was an ugly blowout as the Broncos struggled early, falling behind 13-7 in the second quarter before running away with it in the second half.
Let’s look at how the Denver Broncos Player Power Rankings shake out following this bout that featured a number of standout performances.
Nik Bonitto has taken a lot of attention from Jonathon Cooper but he has been a very integral part of this defense. While he has generated 43 quarterback pressures this season his real strength is in the run game. According to NextGenStats (NGS), his 11.2% run stop rate is the 10th-highest among edge defenders with at least 150 run defense snaps.
This week, Mike McGlinchey replaces Quinn Meinerz as the second-highest-ranked offensive lineman on the Denver Broncos Player Power Rankings. The complete lack of run game this season makes it challenging to justify Meinerz in the top 10. He’s going to have to do a better job opening lanes for whoever the running back is going to be going forward.
Mike McGlinchey, on the other hand, continues to build upon a sneaky-good season. In Week 15 he was one of five tackles in the NFL to not allow a single pressure. After some up-and-down play early this season, he’s put together four consecutive strong games, both in pass and run blocking.
While the stat line is far from eye-popping, Courtland Sutton still had a solid game. He’s flashed incredible footwork at times this season, but the route he ran to create his fourth-quarter touchdown catch stands out as especially marvelous. His perfectly executed stop-and-go gave Nix the easiest touchdown throw of his life.
There are still places Sutton needs to improve to be the long-term No. 1 receiver, but we continue to see him taking steps towards that summit.
After several good weeks from the rookie, Sunday was a definite step back. He threw a season-high three interceptions as the offense barely managed over 200 yards. This became the first time since Weeks 1 and 2 that Bo Nix has had back-to-back games with an interception.
These ups and downs are to be expected from a rookie quarterback and the Broncos desperately need to help the first-year quarterback out by being even moderately productive run game.
This isn’t a panic-button moment, and Nix should bounce back on Thursday Night, but he slides down two spots this week nonetheless.
Nobody expected Brandon Jones to be this good. George Paton and the coaching staff deserve their flowers for this signing. Not only is he playing in the most consistent role of his career, he’s posting the stats to match.
On Sunday, Jones hit a new career-high with his third interception. Jones isn’t just relying on splash plays either, as he’s allowing a mere 49.0 quarterback rating when targeted.
Garett Bolles has had an up-and-down career, but this season he’s been remarkably reliable, consistently turning in solid performances against the league’s best.
Now signed through 2028, it looks like Nix has his blindside protector cemented for the near future.
While Kris Abrams-Draine turned in a very serviceable performance, Riley Moss’ presence in this secondary is still missed. With Moss out yet again, this time for Thursday night’s key divisional game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Broncos fans will have to hope Abrams-Draine can provide an encore.
Zach Allen’s drop this week has nothing to do with his play and everything to do with our No. 2 player in these Power Rankings – Nik Bonitto.
Allen continues to be a dominant force in the middle continually clogging run lanes and providing elite-level pass rush production from the interior.
Add “ball hawk” to the growing list of titles for the third-year pro, along with “potential sack king” and “Defensive Player of the Year candidate”.
Early in the fourth, Bonitto perfectly read a double-lateral trick play, jumping Adonai Mitchell’s throw back to Anthony Richardson, and taking it 50 yards to the house for his second touchdown in as many games.
With that, he became the first player since J.J. Watt in 2014 to record 10 sacks and two touchdowns in a single season, and just the fourth player in NFL history.
His breakout season continues to get better with each week.
According to NextGen Stats, When he has been targeted, opposing offenses have lost -28.1 EPA, the second-lowest target EPA of any defender in the NFL.
He’s not just a number’s darling either, as the best in the league put on another clinic this week, adding a leaping interception to his extensive highlight reel.
Honorable Mentions: Cody Barton, Quinn Meinerz, PJ Locke, Malcolm Roach
Dropped from Top 10: Quinn Meinerz (8th last week)
