Broncos Journal: Denver’s pass rush shows signs of improvement. But can defense be dominant for full game?

The Broncos’ front seven wanted to be a physical and attacking front this fall. They didn’t waste any time in doing so against the Seahawks in the season opener.

On Seattle’s first offensive play, edge rusher Jonathon Cooper pushed off Seattle offensive tackle George Fant before sacking quarterback Geno Smith for a 7-yard loss. On the next play, defensive tackle D.J. Jones pressured Smith, forcing him to throw an interception to inside linebacker Alex Singleton.

While Denver wasn’t pleased with the outcome of its 26-20 loss in Seattle, there were positives to take away from the experience, starting with the Broncos’ ability to apply pressure on Smith in the first half.

After the Broncos finished 29th in pressure rate (18.2%) in 2023, the pass rush showed signs of life. The next step is making the quarterback’s life miserable for an entire game.

“In the first half, that was some really good defense,” defensive end Zach Allen said. “We just gotta learn how to (play like) that for a full (game).”

The Broncos blitzed on half of Smith’s dropbacks, allowing eight completions on 12 attempts and a touchdown, according to Next Gen Stats. Their 50.0% blitz rate was the highest of any defense in Week 1.

“I felt like everybody was in tune,” Cooper told The Denver Post. “We were all (pressuring) the pocket and making the quarterback feel uncomfortable.”

Cooper and edge rusher Baron Browning’s strong showings in training camp translated early on vs. the Seahawks. Both players had five pressures, tied for 10th in the league, according to Next Gen Stats. Cooper finished with a team-best two sacks and six tackles and was responsible for a safety.

“Coop was hot,” defensive end John Franklin-Myers told The Post. “He had the freedom to do what he needed to do.”

Added defensive coordinator Vance Joseph: “(Cooper has) improved each year I’ve been here. Versus the run and pass, he wins his one-on-one (matchups).”

Still, even the first half had some hiccups. Head coach Sean Payton pointed to a play in the second quarter when the defense lost contain, allowing the 33-year-old Smith to scramble for a 34-yard touchdown.

The pass rush opportunities dried up in the final two quarters when the Broncos’ inability to slow down Seattle’s run game put the defense behind the sticks. As a result, Smith threw for 112 of his 171 yards after the break.

“It was two (different) halves,” Payton said. “There are certain things that we’re going to coach off of, things that we liked, and then other things that we have to improve on.”

With rookie quarterback Bo Nix still learning the ropes on offense, Denver will need its pass rush to replicate its effort in the first half against the Seahawks. Despite falling short down the stretch, Joseph is confident Denver has the talent to do just that.

“The rush is going to be consistent,” Joseph said. “We have enough good players and scheme to rush the passer. That won’t be a concern.”

Browning’s backflip tackle: The Broncos couldn’t believe what they witnessed in the second quarter last Sunday.

After Singleton whiffed on a tackle against Seattle running back Kenneth Walker, Browning stormed in, wrapped his arms around the running back’s waist, and did a backflip to bring him down for a 4-yard loss.

Even after rewatching the play, Browning’s teammates remained in disbelief.

“The Undertaker. That was WWE (stuff) for real,” Cooper said. “I ain’t never seen a football play like that before.”

Safety P.J. Locke didn’t realize Browning held on to Walker until he watched the game film.

“That was crazy,” Locke said.

Added Franklin-Myers, “He is better than me because I would flip right on my neck, and that would be it for me.”

Looking to run: When Payton arrived in Denver, he made it known the Broncos’ offensive identity would revolve around the run game. With Nix as the starter, it’s now more important than ever.

That’s probably why he spent two straight days expressing his displeasure with running backs Javonte Williams, Audric Estime and Jaleel McLaughlin combining for 64 yards rushing against Seattle.

In Year 1, Nix shouldn’t be asked to throw the ball 42 times in a game. Denver’s running backs must take pressure off him. Last week was not a good start.

“Whether it’s a clear picture or not, we gotta make something happen. That’s why we are here,” Broncos running backs coach Lou Ayeni told The Denver Post. “Those guys were elite players at some point in their careers, not because everything was blocked clean.”

One of Payton’s criticisms of the run game was the inability to take advantage of open gaps. He said a couple of runs from Estime and Williams could’ve been bigger plays.

Payton might’ve been referring to Williams’ carry in the first quarter. With 7:02 remaining and Denver positioned at its 33-yard line, Williams cut to the right before running out of bounds for a 3-yard gain. However, Williams could’ve rushed for a few more had he taken advantage of an open hole in the middle of the field.

“These guys have been running the ball their whole life, so you just don’t want to handicap their instincts,” said Ayeni. “The biggest thing you want to do is give them some pre-snap clues on what teams (will) do to them. And then get their eyes in the right spot.”

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