Broncos’ defense sets franchise record in suffocating effort vs. Jets
The Broncos’ defense made franchise history in a shutdown performance, leading the team to a 13-11 victory vs. the Jets.
The Denver Broncos’ defense sculpted a historic performance on Sunday in London, leading the team to a 13-11 win over the New York Jets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, stacking three wins in a row.
Denver held New York to just 82 total yards of offense, including a staggering -10 net passing yards, the fewest ever allowed in franchise history and the second-lowest in the NFL since 1990 (h/t Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post). The Jets’ total was also their worst passing output in team history.
New York quarterback Justin Fields bore a nightmare outing, completing just 9 of 17 passes for 45 yards and suffering nine sacks, losing 55 yards in the process. The Broncos' pass rush came from all directions, with eight different defenders recording sacks, the team’s most in a single game since 1996. Jonathon Cooper led the way with two, while Justin Strnad, Talanoa Hufanga, Nik Bonitto, John Franklin-Myers, Zach Allen, Eyioma Uwazurike, and Brandon Jones each added one.
Denver entered Week 6 already leading the league with 21 sacks and ranking second in points allowed (16.8 per game). The Jets didn’t record a first down until one minute before halftime and managed only 32 yards in the opening half. On New York’s final two drives, the Broncos’ defense forced a combined loss of six yards and ensured the win with back-to-back sacks.
While Denver’s defense shone, the offense was wandering in the weeds. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix finished with 174 passing yards and one touchdown, but after a solid first half, he failed to complete a pass in the third quarter. The Broncos’ offense mustered only 63 rushing yards, with J.K. Dobbins leading the ground game (14 carries, 40 yards). A holding penalty in the end zone by Quinn Meinerz resulted in a safety that briefly gave the Jets an 11-10 lead.
Denver’s only touchdown came on a Nate Adkins reception at the end of the first quarter, while kicker Wil Lutz added two field goals, including the decisive one with five minutes remaining. The Broncos gained just 248 total yards, but it was enough thanks to the defense’s relentless pressure and the Jets’ offensive feebleness.
The win improved Denver to 4-2, their best start to a season since 2016.
What surprised Sean Payton about Broncos’ offensive struggles vs. Jets
Payton, who is 61 years old, admitted that he thought the Broncos were going to be successful at running the ball against the Jets, according to Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette. New York stuffing the run was seemingly not on Sean Payton's BINGO card for Sunday's matchup.
“Broncos coach Sean Payton: ‘I didn't think we played well up front. Said ‘This was a game coming in, I thought we would be able to run the ball.'”
Denver finished with just 78 rushing yards as a team. Running back JK Dobbins led the way with 40 yards on 14 attempts, while quarterback Bo Nix had the second-most yards with 24. The Broncos had eight different players have at least one rush attempt in the game.
Even the passing was nothing to gloat about, as Nix ended the contest with 174 yards and a touchdown while completing 63.3% of his throws. His lone touchdown score went to tight end Nate Adkins.
Luckily, the defense played at an elite level. Jets quarterback Justin Fields struggled throughout the contest, as the Broncos sacked him nine times. If the defense can continue getting after the quarterback like that, then this team will be a problem in the later portion of the 2025-26 season. The Broncos move on to Week 7, where they will take on the New York Giants.
Derrick Henry Had Brutally Honest Take on How Bad the Ravens Were in Loss to Rams
The Ravens' nightmare season hit another new low Sunday as they lost at home to the Rams, 17-3. Batimore was expected to once again to be one of top teams in the AFC this year, but they are now 1-5 and coming off another ugly loss without their star quarterback, Lamar Jackson, in the lineup due to a hamstring injury.
The Ravens have scored a combined 13 points in their last two losses and their offense was unable to find the end zone against the Rams.
Derrick Henry was the lone bright spot for the team on Sunday as he ran for 122 yards on 24 carries, but after the game he was rightfully frustrated with his team's inability to score a single touchdown against Los Angeles.
In the second quarter the Ravens had 2nd-and-goal from inside the 1-yard line, but failed to score on two tush push attempts and then Henry was dropped for a loss on fourth down.
After the game Henry had a brutally honest take on his team's struggles:
"We got down there and they held us out of the end zone on those three plays which we all know we have to be better and get the ball in there on the 1-yard line, that’s unacceptable," Henry said. "We just have to watch the film. There’s a lot of good on the film but three points is not going to cut it anywhere in this league and we all know that. Just wasn’t good today."
The good news for the Ravens is that they now have a bye week and are expecting to get Jackson back for their next game on Oct. 26.
But his return might be a little too late for a team that looked to hit rock bottom on Sunday.
