Denver Broncos Win Back-To-Back AFC Defensive Players Of the Week
The Denver Broncos have assembled the best defensive line in the entire NFL. They currently lead the league with 30 sacks, and are on pace to shatter the record set by the Chicago Bears in 1984. The Bears’ record was 72 sacks in a single season, and the Broncos are set to beat that record by more than ten sacks.
Broncos Defense Can’t Be Stopped
Nik Bonitto won the AFC Defensive Player of the Week last week, and Jonathan Cooper won the award for the Broncos in the second straight week. Bonitto single-handedly
Jonathan Cooper had two sacks on Justin Fields, along with a tackle for a loss. Cooper had the game-winning sack on Fields
The starters have done an amazing job all season long, but the second unit has also stepped up. Eyioma Uwazurike, Dondrea Tillman, and Jonah Elliss have really stepped up in their roles, making Vance Joseph’s job very easy. Joseph has been able to show different blitz packages and design different schemes, confusing the quarterback.
Defensive Line Is Built Well For Years
George Paton has done an incredible job building this defensive line for the future, and he does not have to worry about paying any of his players. Bonitto is set to become a free agent in 2030, while Zach Allen and Cooper are set to become free agents in 2029. They’re trying to take advantage of Quarterback Bo Nix being on a rookie contract, going all in on other position groups to make a run at a Super Bowl.
Denver is currently on pace to set a record for team sacks in a single season with 85. Pairing this with an elite secondary has created one of the best defenses in franchise history. Entering Week 7, the Broncos have allowed the second-fewest points in the NFL, behind the Houston Texans, who’ve allowed just 61 points this season.
The more impressive part of their defense is that they’ve had an immense amount of success without some of their top players on defense. They’ve been without Dre Greenlaw for the entire season, although there is a chance he returns this week against the New York Giants. Getting Greenlaw back will help with stopping opposing running backs and containing tight ends.
The Broncos’ run defense got a much-needed boost last week in London with Maclom Roach returning from a calf strain. Roach plays a huge part in stopping the run and gives Vance Joseph another weapon in his arsenal.
Baker Mayfield Sends Bucs Warning Amid 5-1 Start
If you’re worried the Tampa Bay Buccaneers think they’ve accomplished something after starting the regular season 5-1, we would simply ask you to check the mindset of their leader for the answer.
Once you do that, you’ll realize the Buccaneers are very much not sitting on their laurels and very much in tune with what still needs to be done.
“Baker Mayfield on the Bucs being 5-1: There’s a lot of football left,” Buccaneers.com’s Scott Smith wrote on his official X account on October 16. “We’re not looking at the standings right now.”
The Buccaneers would be well served not to look past the game right in front of them — they travel to face another NFC contender in the Detroit Lions in Week 7 and in front of a nationally televised audience on Monday Night Football.
Mayfield Gaining Steam as NFL MVP Favorite
No player has captured the imagination of NFL fans more this season than Mayfield, who is the people’s choice to win NFL MVP honors through the first 6 weeks.
Mayfield is currently in the Top 5 in the NFL in passing yards (1,539), passing touchdowns (12) and passer rating (108.5) to go with just one interception. He’s also continued to impress with his ability to run the ball when needed with 22 carries for 158 yards, including 11 first down run while averaging 7.2 yards per carry.
More than all of that, Mayfield has become a true leader for the Buccaneers — a player his team seems to rally around every time out.
“I’m just trying to be myself and admit that I don’t have it all figured out,” Mayfield said on October 16. “I’m learning along the way, I’m not afraid to admit that.”
Around the football loving world, Mayfield’s comeback has seemed to resonate. Remember that at one point in the not so distant past it seemed like the career of the 2018 No. 1 overall pick was over after he was traded from the Cleveland Browns to the Carolina Panthers in 2022, then cut by the Panthers.
“Baker Mayfield really went from true freshman walk-on to playing at an MVP level in the NFL,” NFL on CBS wrote on its official X account, “And the journey in between is nothing short of remarkable.”
“Through the first six weeks of the season, it’s crystal clear who the MVP frontrunner is.” FanSided’s Josh Hill wrote on X. “Stats and narrative are locked in. Anyone arguing against Baker Mayfield being the favorite is kidding themselves. This isn’t that hard.”
Buccaneers Just Need Time to Get Healthy
If the Buccaneers can come out intact of what’s sure to be a fierce battle with the Lions, there might be an opportunity for them to finally get healthy.
Tampa Bay has what should be a winnable road game against the 1-5 New Orleans Saints in Week 8 followed by their bye in Week 9 followed by home game against the upstart New England Patriots in Week 10.
Currently, the Buccaneer are missing a good chunk of their projected starters on the offensive side of the ball; running back Bucky Irving, right offensive tackle Luke Goedeke, wide receiver Mike Evans and wide receiver Chris Godwin all missed a Week 6 win over the San Francisco 49ers with a variety of injuries.
Now, 2025 first round pick and leading receiver Emeka Egbuka is projected to miss the Lions game with a hamstring injury.
