Denver Broncos Finding New Identity in Stifling, Opportunistic Defense

When the Denver Broncos signed future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning three years ago, there was no doubt they figured Manning could be the key piece to a Super Bowl puzzle. And Manning was indeed a major difference-maker for an offense that ranked 25th in scoring in 2011 but scored more points than anyone else in football during his first three seasons.

However, the Broncos won just two playoff games in that three-year span and have yet to capture that elusive third Lombardi Trophy in franchise history, and now the 39-year-old quarterback—he's the oldest starting position player in football—has clearly lost some zip on his passes. 

As a result, the Denver offense is no longer what it was in 2012, 2013 and 2014. 

TGFWPD, or Thank God for Wade Phillips' Defense.

Denver is off to a 3-0 start this season not because of Manning, stud receiver Demaryius Thomas or new head coach Gary Kubiak's system. No, the Broncos are 3-0 in spite of that. 

They're 3-0 because that Phillips-led D has been built to make plays, and it's come up huge three consecutive times to open the season for a team that could just as easily be 0-3. 

While Manning has failed to consistently hit on intermediate passes while rarely even attempting deeper ones, the D has registered 10 takeaways in three close victories against the Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions, all of whom had winning records in 2014. 

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Two of those takeaways served as icing on the cake as the Broncos grinded out a road victory Sunday night in Detroit, with defensive end Malik Jackson recording a fourth-quarter strip-sack of rattled Lions pivot Matthew Stafford and safety David Bruton intercepting Stafford on the very next series. 

Those guys enabled the Broncos to steal a tough road victory despite turning the ball over twice and mustering just 41 rushing yards on 19 attempts against a solid Detroit defense. 

One week ago in Kansas City, the same group gave Manning a chance to put the game away despite the fact he completed just 57.8 percent of his passes and averaged just 5.7 yards per attempt. On that night, for the second consecutive week, No. 18 and his aging right arm went 0-of-4 on passes that traveled 20 yards or more, according to Pro Football Focus, but the Broncos forced five Kansas City turnovers, which is something the Chiefs hadn't done in their previous 46 games.

Denver had two fourth-quarter takeaways in that one-score game as well, which means five of the 10 turnovers it has generated this season have come in those situations. 

Mike Rice of 850 KOA pointed out Denver's knack for coming up with big defensive plays:

Simply put, the Broncos are built to dominate on defense and control opposing quarterbacks.

They have arguably the best starting cornerback duo in football in Chris Harris and Aqib Talib, both of whom posted elite numbers in Pro Bowl 2014 seasons and have combined for three takeaways while consistently providing blanket coverage (often on islands). Talib understands what he's part of and doesn't shy away from what the on-field product and the stat sheet are showing week in and week out, per NFL Network's Albert Breer:

Throw in Pro Bowl safety T.J. Ward and emerging second-year corner Bradley Roby—who had a work-of-art pick against the Lions and scored the game-winning touchdown in Kansas City—and this might be the best secondary outside of Seattle.

And they also have a loaded pass rush—led by stars Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware—which assaulted Stafford in a four-sack effort Sunday and rank fourth in the league with a sack rate of 9.7.

Leon Halip/Getty Images

It's not that the offense is killing the Broncos. They've been working out kinks under Kubiak and have seemingly taken steps forward each week. The pistol produced some promising results Sunday night, and Manning made some huge throws when it mattered. 

But Manning hasn't had to carry this team, and yet it's 3-0 after playing three tough games, two of which came on the road. And that's primarily due to the fact the Broncos have quietly been building a defense—led by those stud corners and elite pass-rushers—that is frequently able to carry the load. 

The Denver defense has probably been underrated and overlooked for several years. It ranked in the top 10 through the air and on the ground last season and ranked in the top four in terms of points and yards allowed while leading the league in sacks in 2012.

But now the Broncos have Ward, a rejuvenated Ware and a healthy Miller, and those corners are only getting better. And don't forget about Phillips, who has an impeccable record as a defensive coordinator. 

Year	Team	Ranking
2006	Chargers	10th
2007	Cowboys	9th
2008	Cowboys	8th
2009	Cowboys	9th
2011	Texans	2nd
2012	Texans	7th
2013	Texans	7th

A lot of folks have their hearts set on seeing Manning ride into the sunset the same way John Elway did in 1997 and 1998. And if the Broncos can keep this up and capture the Super Bowl, Manning will get the lion's share of the attention, just as Elway did 17 years ago.

But the reality is a 37- and 38-year-old Elway was frequently carried in those days by a running game that ranked fourth and defense that ranked fifth in '97 and a running game that ranked second as well as a top-10 scoring D in '98.

Manning will continue to require that type of support. And so far, the defense is offering it.

Brad Gagnon has covered the NFL for Bleacher Report since 2012.

Follow @Brad_Gagnon