Kellen Moore places pressure on one of his key assistants after Saints' narrow loss that pushes them farther down NFC standings
The New Orleans Saints just came up short of an upset against the New England Patriots in Week 6. Kellen Moore's offense played fairly well, albeit struggling some in the red zone once again. For the defense, the inexperienced group showed some flaws in the first half that forced the offense to play a bit more through the air than they probably would've preferred.
Head coach Kellen Moore was honest about the defensive issues that glared early on in the loss after the game, too.
Kellen Moore expects better starts from defense
After the loss to New England, where the Saints struggled mightily in the first half on defense, Moore was honest about his expectations from the defensive unit. He knows they need to get off to better starts in order to avoid the offense being behind the eight ball. Against the Patriots, lapses in the secondary and the pass rush not getting home were both issues early on.
"We're not starting fast enough from a defensive perspective." - Kellen Moore on slow starts recently
Against Drake Maye's Patriots, the Saints allowed the young QB to record a perfect 158.3 passer rating in the first half of play. Somehow, New Orleans was down just six points at the break. While the pressure got around Maye at times in the game, the Saints could just never seem to actually bring him down before the ball got out.
This strong comment from Moore has placed some pressure on defensive coordinator Brandon Staley to have his unit even more prepared for the start of games.
Additionally, the Saints may need to make adjustments early on in games, compared to what their recent performances have proven. Against New England, the Saints back end struggled badly against play action passes. Their communication, particularly between young players, simply was not good enough.
Let's see if the tough love from Moore after the defeat pushes the Saints defense to come out and make a big play early on next weekend against the Bears.
As of now, New Orleans sits in last place of the NFC South at 1-5 on the season. It will be extremely tough to dig their way out of that in any capacity, but in order to garner any wins, they can't continue to place themselves in a ditch early in matchups.
Nik Bonitto Has Become the Broncos’ Unblockable Wrecking Ball
Denver’s No. 15 is turning every game into his own personal demolition project.
Nik Bonitto isn’t rising anymore. The fourth-year edge rusher wearing No. 15 has become the driving force behind the Denver Broncos’ defense — a player who dictates every snap and wrecks offensive plans the moment the ball is snapped.
Through six games of the 2025 season, Bonitto has piled up 8 sacks, 23 total tackles, and 15 solo stops, leading the Broncos in all three categories. His consistency and relentlessness have turned him from a promising young pass rusher into one of the NFL’s most disruptive defensive players.
A force that sets the tone
Bonitto’s burst off the edge is his trademark. His first step is explosive, but what separates him this year is control. He converts speed to power seamlessly, bending under blocks and finishing plays without losing balance. Tackles can’t cheat outside because he’s developed a sharp inside counter that punishes hesitation.
Every offensive snap now starts with locating No. 15. Teams dedicate tight ends to chip, backs to help, or slide protection his way. None of it has worked for long. Bonitto’s pressure collapses pockets, forces errant throws, and makes quarterbacks look rushed even when they aren’t touched.
His presence has also elevated Denver’s entire front. With Bonitto commanding attention, rushers like Jonathan Cooper and Zach Allen have found easier lanes to attack. Denver’s defense has rediscovered its identity — fast, physical, and opportunistic — because Bonitto keeps the tempo high and the pocket shrinking.
London domination shows the difference
The Broncos’ Week 6 win over the New York Jets in London was Bonitto’s impact in full view. Denver’s defense produced nine sacks and held the Jets to minus-10 net passing yards, one of the most dominant defensive outings of the season.
Bonitto finished with six tackles, including three solo, and one sack. But the box score undersold his influence. From the opening drive, he disrupted blocking angles and forced Jets quarterback Justin Fields to move before routes developed. Several of Denver’s sacks came directly from Bonitto flushing Fields into another defender’s lane.
When Bonitto is active like that, the Broncos feed off it. His energy and effort have become the team’s defensive rhythm — a constant current of pressure that opponents rarely handle for four quarters.
Complete development
Bonitto’s improvement since his rookie year is evident everywhere. He sets the edge better against the run, diagnoses plays faster, and finishes with discipline instead of just speed. He’s learned how to rush within structure, knowing when to crash, when to contain, and when to explode.
That maturity has turned his athletic gifts into production. He’s more patient before attacking, using timing and leverage instead of pure speed. The result is sustained dominance through six games, not streaks of flash plays.
Historic pace
At this rate, Bonitto is tracking toward a 20-sack season — a pace that would challenge Von Miller’s franchise record of 18.5. The numbers are impressive, but his true impact is in how he changes what offenses can even attempt. Quick throws, max protection, moving pockets — none of it has been enough to slow him down.
The Broncos’ defensive revival runs through No. 15. He’s the player every offense must account for, and even then, most can’t stop him.
The bottom line
Nik Bonitto has become everything Denver hoped for and more — a relentless, unblockable presence defining the identity of this defense. Through six weeks, the numbers speak for themselves:
Each week, he brings the same impact — collapsing pockets, forcing mistakes, and setting a tone the entire team follows. Bonitto isn’t the future of the Broncos’ defense anymore. He’s its foundation right now, wearing No. 15 and making every snap a problem for whoever stands in his way.
