RADIO
Denver Broncos D/ST Can Capitalize on Carolina's Protection Issues
The Denver Broncos defense/special teams unit is a Week 9 start at Carolina after the Panthers allowed 11 sacks in their last two games. Green Bay sacked Bryce Young six times and intercepted him once last week. Tampa Bay recorded five sacks and forced three offensive turnovers the game before. Carolina left guard Damien Lewis (knee) missed Friday's practice and will sit again, leaving the line shorthanded against a Denver defense with 15 sacks over its last four games. The Broncos got to Patrick Mahomes twice in Week 8, though he still passed for 321 yards and three touchdowns. Denver safety Brandon Jones (hamstring) is out after missing practice all week, and Talanoa Hufanga (ankle) is questionable after limited sessions Thursday and Friday. They've accounted for four of the team's seven interceptions, so Hufanga's status matters to the secondary. RotoBaller ranks Denver D/ST8 for Week 9. The pass rush gives the Broncos a route to a strong fantasy day in 12-team leagues even if the secondary gives up some production.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Denver Broncos D/ST Remains a Top-10 Play Against Chiefs
The Denver Broncos defense/special teams unit remains a starting option in 12-team leagues for Sunday's home game against the Kansas City Chiefs, ranking ninth at RotoBaller for Week 8. Denver has 21 sacks and seven interceptions this season and has held its last three opponents to 17, 14 and 16 points. Against Arizona, it allowed one touchdown on five red-zone trips and recorded three sacks with 13 quarterback hits. Kansas City managed three points and 213 net yards against Seattle last week, but it regains wide receiver Rashee Rice (hamstring/knee) and tackle Jaylon Moore (concussion). Both practiced fully Friday, with Rice upgrading from limited work, and carry no injury designation, improving the Chiefs' receiving options and protection compared with that loss. Denver counters with Pat Surtain II (ankle), who practiced fully all week and has no designation after missing three games. The Broncos still have concerns elsewhere: Zach Allen (hamstring), their sack leader with 4.5, is questionable after limited work Friday. Safety Brandon Jones (hamstring) is also questionable after a limited session, while Talanoa Hufanga (ankle) is out after missing all three practices.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Patrick Surtain II Cleared to Play Against Chiefs in Week 8
Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II (ankle) does not carry an injury designation into Week 8 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Surtain, who has been a full participant for three consecutive practices, has been cleared to play in Sunday's divisional battle. This is great news for Surtain and Broncos fans, as the star cornerback had missed the previous three weeks with an ankle issue. When Surtain is healthy, he is one of the best defensive players in football. Over his last two full seasons, he has five interceptions, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and 92 tackles. His return comes at a great time for the Broncos, as he'll give them an extra weapon on defense as they face off against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. Back in Week 1 against Kansas City, Surtain played 69% of the snaps but had just three tackles and zero forced turnovers.
Source: Denver Broncos
Source: Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos Defense Retains Top-Five Appeal Despite Injuries
The Denver Broncos defense is a strong starting option, coming off five sacks, 17 quarterback hits, and three takeaways against the Seattle Seahawks, with Ja'Quan McMillian's overtime interception setting up the winning field goal. The unit visits the Arizona Cardinals in Week 7 and ranks fourth in Joey Pollizze's D/ST rankings for RotoBaller. Arizona beat the Los Angeles Rams 18-16 in Week 6 but scored all its points on six field goals. Denver's injuries extend beyond the secondary: safety Talanoa Hufanga (ankle) and edge rusher Jonah Elliss (ankle) are out, while cornerback Pat Surtain II (ankle) is questionable. Arizona will also be without rookie running back Jeremiyah Love (ankle).
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Broncos Defense Looks to Stay Hot in Week 6
The Denver Broncos defense has yet to allow an opponent to score over 26 points this season, as it is coming off another solid performance in a win over the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 5. Denver allowed the Chargers to score just 17 points in a six-point Broncos triumph, limiting Los Angeles quarterback Justin Herbert to 121 yards, a touchdown, and an interception on 14 of 24 passes. Denver also sacked Herbert five times during the victory. Entering Week 6, Denver is RotoBaller's seventh-ranked defense and is projected to score eight fantasy points against the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle has averaged 26.8 points per game this season, the eighth-most in the NFL. In a loss to the San Francisco 49ers last week, the Seahawks were limited to just 251 yards of total offense on an average of 4.2 yards per play, while the 49ers sacked quarterback Sam Darnold five times and intercepted him once, while also coming away with two fumble recoveries. One note: Denver will be without top cornerback Pat Surtain II and safety Talanoa Hufanga, who are each out with ankle injuries.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Broncos Defense Faces Struggling Chargers Offense
The Denver Broncos' defense is RotoBaller's sixth-ranked defense and is projected to score nine fantasy points against a struggling Los Angeles Chargers offense in Week 5. The Chargers are averaging just 16.8 points per game this season, the fourth-fewest in the NFL, while they're averaging just 306.8 total yards of offense per contest, which is 12th-worst in the league. Denver didn't put forth its most productive performance during a Week 4 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, failing to sack 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy a single time and failing to record a takeaway. They allowed Purdy to find the end zone twice through the air, while San Francisco running back Christian McCaffrey also recorded a rushing touchdown.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Patrick Surtain II Likely Avoided a Long-Term Injury
Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II (ankle) likely avoided a long-term injury on Sunday afternoon in Week 4, according to Tom Pelissero of The Ringer. Surtain went down with a non-contact injury, but his Achilles is intact, and the initial round of testing shows that he avoided a worst-case scenario. He will undergo additional testing on Monday to determine the exact severity of his injury and pinpoint a timeline for his return. All in all, it sounds like good news for the former Defensive Player of the Year and two-time First Team All-Pro. The 26-year-old picked off five passes over his last two seasons, and he's up to 21 tackles and one pass defended so far this year. If the injury does still sideline Surtain for a short period of time, we would expect players like Jahdae Barron, Kris Abrams-Draine, and Ja'Quan McMillian to earn more defensive snaps. UPDATE: ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that Surtain is "week-to-week," with one source bracing for the star cornerback to miss "about two weeks."
Source: Tom Pelissero
Source: Tom Pelissero
Broncos Defense Faces Tall Task Against Rams
The Denver Broncos put forth a stout defensive performance during a 20-13 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 2. Denver limited the Jaguars to just 268 yards of total offense, including an average of just 4.9 yards per play. The Broncos sacked Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence twice and intercepted him once. Denver takes on the Los Angeles Rams this week as RotoBaller's 16th-ranked defense and is projected to score six fantasy points. The Rams racked up 481 yards of total offense during a 28-6 win over the New York Giants a week ago. This is a tough matchup for Denver as it looks to improve to 2-1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Keep Broncos D/ST on the Bench in Week 2
The Denver Broncos' defense failed to measure up in a 31-10 Week 1 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, allowing Kansas City to romp for 392 yards of total offense at a rate of 5.9 yards per play. Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III had a phenomenal day in his debut with the team, carrying the ball 23 times for 173 yards and a touchdown. Denver also allowed Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes to enjoy a productive outing in his first game back from a season-ending ACL injury, as he finished with a couple of passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown. The Broncos forced the Chiefs to punt just once in the second half. This week, Denver will go up against the Jacksonville Jaguars, who looked mighty impressive offensively in a 34-10 win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 1. Denver is RotoBaller's 12th-ranked defense in Week 2, but fantasy managers shouldn't expect much against Jacksonville.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Broncos, Sean Payton Agree to New Five-Year Contract
The Denver Broncos and head coach Sean Payton agreed to a new five-year contract on Thursday, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Payton has led the Broncos to the third-most wins in the NFL over the last two years, including an appearance in the AFC Championship game last year. Owner Greg Penner now has both Payton and general manager George Paton under contract through the 2030 season. The 62-year-old Payton had two years remaining on his current contract, with the new five-year deal replacing the old contract. In his third season at the helm in Denver, Payton led the Broncos to a 14-3 regular-season record. The team has gone 32-19 during his three seasons at the helm, increasing their win total each season. The Broncos sent a 2023 first-rounder and 2024 second-rounder to the New Orleans Saints in 2023 to hire Payton, with the team also receiving a 2024 third-round pick in the deal. It's safe to say that the trade has worked out for Denver, as they head into Payton's fourth season in 2026 with playoff aspirations once again.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
