Powerful Defense: Broncos Lead NFL with 36 Sacks After 8 Games, Far Ahead of Second-Place Steelers with 20
The Denver Broncos have emerged as the most dominant defensive force in the NFL, leading the league with an impressive 36 sacks after just 8 games. This staggering total has put them far ahead of the second-place Pittsburgh Steelers, who have recorded 20 sacks over the same span.
The Broncos’ pass rush has been relentless, with defensive coordinator Vance Joseph orchestrating a scheme that maximizes pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The team's ability to disrupt offenses has been a key factor in their success this season, allowing them to dictate the flow of games and create turnovers.
“We’ve been firing on all cylinders,” said Broncos head coach Sean Payton. “Our defensive front has been exceptional. The pressure they’re generating is unlike anything we’ve seen in recent years. It’s a testament to the hard work and preparation the guys have put in.”
The Broncos’ defense, led by stars like linebacker Bradley Chubb and edge rusher Randy Gregory, has been relentless, consistently making it difficult for quarterbacks to feel comfortable in the pocket. The team’s defensive line has been wreaking havoc, constantly collapsing the pocket and forcing hurried throws.
“I think the key to our success has been our relentless attitude,” Chubb said. “We’re not letting up, and we know that pressure leads to mistakes. We want to keep bringing it every week, and we’re hungry for more.”
As the Broncos continue to lead the league in sacks, their defense is quickly becoming one of the most feared units in the NFL. With eight games in the books and a relentless pass rush, the Broncos’ defense is poised to keep causing problems for opposing offenses as they continue their push for the playoffs.
Colts resurgence has one gigantic red flag nobody’s talking about
There are a few reasons why the Colts are still fighting for respect despite their record.
It is really simple: the Colts are red hot. A 7–1 record, one of the best offenses in football, all while resurrecting a quarterback once labeled as a bust — it’s a lot to get done in one year. However, what should we make of a team that last made the AFC Championship Game in 2015? A year in which their star running back was still in high school, and their oldest player, long snapper Luke Rhodes, was still in college. How are we to view contenders when their institutional knowledge of winning is virtually nonexistent?
The odd thing is this isn’t only found in this Colts team. The top four teams in the AFC halfway through the year haven’t seen sustained playoff success in recent memory, and many haven’t been to the playoffs in some time.
At the top are the Colts, who haven’t made the playoffs since 2020. Then the Patriots, who haven’t won a playoff game since 2018. The Broncos, who haven’t won a playoff game since 2015. And finally, the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have lost in the Wild Card or missed the playoffs every year since 2020.
Obviously, you can’t be a winner until you start winning, so I want to stay away from “moving the goalposts” simply because a poor team last season is winning this year. To think, though, that an 8–9 Colts team from 2024 would be 7–1 in 2025 would have been difficult for anyone to believe this summer during OTAs.
There are a few reasons why the Colts are still fighting for respect despite their record.
So, what should we believe? As Chiefs fans, we’ve seen the end of Brady and the Patriots’ chokehold on the conference, and we have seen over the years the resurgence of teams like the Titans, Bengals, Bills, Ravens, and Dolphins as potential standard-bearers of the AFC. What makes this Colts team different, for good or bad?
First of all, the running game sets the Colts apart. Jonathan Taylor is a nightmare, and a good run game has historically made for a well-rounded offense and is difficult to stop in the postseason. Compiling 850 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns through eight weeks is an outstanding start and something to be fearful of with the Colts moving forward. Averaging three rushing yards before contact, Taylor benefits from a great offensive line to open lanes for him. A consistent run game makes life easy for both Daniel Jones in the passing game and for the Colts defense, staying off the field.
A better-than-average defense has kept the Colts’ opponents at bay. Ranked 23rd in yards allowed, the Colts are letting teams move the ball all over them. However, they’re ranked 6th in points allowed, meaning they hold their opponents to field goals or they force turnovers, in which they are also ranked 3rd. It is worth noting that the Colts allow almost as many first downs on defense as their offense picks up, but they find a way to get off the field. Whether this defense finds sustained success in the second half of the season remains to be seen.
Lastly, and maybe most importantly, a more than ideal schedule. The only teams the Colts have played that are above .500 are the Broncos, Rams, and Chargers. The rest of the opponents they have played are a combined 7–23 through the first eight weeks of the season. Hard to see a team underperforming when they have had opponents like the Colts have thus far in 2025.
With a remaining schedule that includes bouts against Kansas City, Jacksonville, Pittsburgh, and Seattle, it seems improbable that this Colts team maintains a single blemish on their record throughout the second half. Moving forward, we will most definitely see a Colts team that will be challenged, and how they respond will be the true test of whether this team is as good as it seems.
