Is Denver’s Defensive Dominance Sustainable?
Denver’s defense momentarily faltered early in the game, allowing rookie Ashton Jeanty to break through for a red-zone touchdown—the first scored at Empower Field since Week 8. The opening half ended in a sluggish 7-7 tie, leaving the Broncos frustrated on their home turf.
At halftime, safety Talanoa Hufanga gathered the entire defense for an impromptu meeting inside the locker room. The message was clear: the standard must remain high, regardless of offensive struggles.
“We gotta be better,” Hufanga recalled telling his teammates.
Hufanga made it known that any touchdown allowed was unacceptable for the unit.
“It’s set every week that they can’t score at all,” he said after the game. “It’s tough for us to even give them a touchdown. We want to hold teams to field goals, or get off the field if we can’t get turnovers.”
The defense delivered in the second half, holding the Raiders scoreless while logging six sacks and preserving a 10-7 victory. Coordinator Vance Joseph’s group once again served as the deciding force behind Denver’s win, continuing a streak of defensive grit and resilience that has defined their season.
Author’s Summary
Denver’s defense proved its resilience after an early setback, dominating the Raiders in the second half and reinforcing its belief that it can shut down any opponent.