Sean Payton Reveals Truth Behind Broncos' Huge Defensive Improvement

Sean Payton laid out why the Denver Broncos have dramatically improved on defense.

Since Week 5, the Denver Broncos' defense has been dramatically improved — by leaps and bounds. That 70-burger in Miami — as historically bad as it was — didn't represent rock-bottom for the Broncos defensively. 

Allowing the New York Jets to waltz into Empower Field at Mile High, drop 31 points and 400-plus total yards, and provide offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett with that sweet, cold revenge over Sean Payton... that was rock bottom. 

But after that loss, the Broncos began to bounce back defensively. Vance Joseph's unit went from being Denver's biggest liability to the tip of its spear, limiting Patrick Mahomes in a Week 6 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, before putting the kybosh on the Green Bay Packers in Week 7. 

Without that inspired performance in Week 8, the Broncos don't snap Kansas City's 16-game winning streak. Denver's offense performed admirably, especially in key situations, but it was the magnificent defense that allowed the good guys to finally prevail. 

So, how did the Broncos go from being a historically bad defense over the first quarter of the season to battening down the hatches on Mahomes? Coach Payton put his finger on it recently, pointing first to his team's mental fortitude and belief. 

“You get back to work, you go to work. I think it’s never as rosy as we would like to believe, and it’s never as bleak as we would like to believe," Payton said last week. "I think it first starts with the rushing game and our ability to defend the run. That, really, would be the first tangible thing I’d point to. We’ve created the takeaways, the passing situations have gone in our favor, and guys have worked hard to make corrections and improve... In other words, being better against the run and fitting the run better... Then, situationally, our third down and red zone, particularly in the last two games with Kansas City, have been really good.”

What happens next for the Broncos? Don't miss out on any news and analysis! Take a second and sign up for our free newsletter and get breaking Broncos news delivered to your inbox daily!

And there you have it. Nothing miraculous has happened to explain Denver's defensive resurgence, but there are contributing factors. 

The Broncos have simply executed against the run on an entirely different level; they've been predatory in taking the ball away, and they've been stubborn on third down and in the red zone. 

Remember, the Broncos were without two critical starters on defense during that Miami debacle and the games in the immediate aftermath. Getting safety Justin Simmons and linebacker Josey Jewell back — two excellent players with high football IQ and deep leadership roots — was huge for Denver. 

Another critical factor has been the emergence of nickel cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian. Although he was inserted into the defensive lineup in Week 4, his performance in the past three games has been crucial. 

Rush linebacker Baron Browning's return off the PUP list has been enormously impactful, too. He notched two sacks and a forced fumble in Denver's 24-9 win over the Chiefs. 

And let's not overlook safety P.J. Locke's impact. He returned off the injured lists in time to make a huge impact in Week 7's victory over the Packers. 

Locke stepped into Kareem Jackson's starting shoes after the veteran safety was ejected during the Packers game and subsequently suspended two games and helped keep the Broncos' defensive ship afloat. Locke's game-sealing interception in Week 7 was just what the doctor ordered. 

Throw in defensive end Zach Allen finally providing a return on his big free-agent contract, and it all adds up to what fans have seen in recent weeks. 

Credit should go to Joseph for his perseverance in the face of tectonic pressure and criticism. It would have been politically expedient for Denver to jettison Joseph after his defense gave up the most points in a single NFL game since the 1960s, but Payton stayed the course. 

After the Jets debacle, again, Payton had a convenient scapegoat to give the wolves some red meat. But he didn't throw Joseph under the bus, and the Broncos are seemingly all the better for it. 

If this team is going to make a run down the stretch, Joseph's defense will have to continue this new model. To even have a chance against the Buffalo Bills and their top-5-ranked offense on Monday night, the Broncos will have to stop the run with the best of them, get after Josh Allen, and take the ball away. 

If the Broncos can continue to play sound defense, and the offense can keep running the ball with authority, converting on third down, and scoring in the red zone, there'll be no limits to what Payton and company can achieve from here on out, especially if special teams stays on its competent course. 

It's football, though. It's all easier said than done. But the Broncos are on the right track, and now the players have the belief of knowing it can be done. 

Don't underestimate the power of that belief. 

---

Follow Mile High Huddle on Twitter and Facebook.

Subscribe to Mile High Huddle on YouTube for daily Broncos live-stream podcasts!