The Denver Broncos defense hit the ground running against the Atlanta Falcons on Friday, picking up where they left off back in January as the Broncos start to defend their AFC West title and try to get back to the AFC Championship game.
The Broncos want more this year, and the defenses wants to do its part. More than its part, actually, as coach Sean Payton wants more turnovers this year, which the defense was happy to provide against Atlanta.
“It was good going out there with everybody and doing it live again,” said All-Pro defensive tackle Zach Allen in a piece written by Parker Gabriel of the Denver Post. “Some things to clean up, but some good things, too. … We’re just striving to be as consistent as possible. That’s what this time of year is. You’re always trying to find new techniques because you’ve always got to evolve, but at the same time, too, knowing the ins and outs of your job.”
The turnover also produced a score, and cornerback Jahdae Barron grabbed a tipped pass and returned it 97 yards for a touchdown, and Riley Moss had a pick as well.
They’re part of a tough battle for playing time in a competitive secondary that’s trying to get better this year, and Barron struggled with missed assignments and feeling lost last year, while Moss had a tough time with penalties.
Their competition helps make the defense better, as Allen noted in his comments about the team’s attitude going into this game andthe season at large.
“It’s a fun group and guys have a really good attitude right now,” he added.
The defensive starters had a targeted workload of 15 plays against Atlanta, as coach Sean Payton believes in giving his starters work right out of the gate. The Falcons went three-and-out to start, and they ended up running just 13 plays on Atlanta’s first four possessions.
Denver’s trademark on defense is pressure, and the Broncos group produced that. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa produced just 22 yards passing during his brief stint, and the other Atlanta quarterbacks didn’t have much luck, either.
Payton also talks a lot about having a connected team, and that pressure also helped new offensive coordinator call plays. It’s an indirect connection, but the coach thinks it’s important.
“We have to be connected in the three phases,” Payton said. “The better teams are connected as to what the overall plan is. So, as a play-caller, you’re paying attention to how you’re playing defense. Or, you’re paying attention to — you’re playing a really high-end offense and the volleys are different, right? All of that matters.”