Klatt: Broncos ’17 defense ‘might be better’ than Super Bowl 50 team
Oct 6, 2017, 8:10 PM
It’s no stretch to argue Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller’s among the best, if not the best, pass rushers in the NFL.
The “No Fly Zone” is just that for a reason. Cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Chris Harris Jr grade among the top players at their position, according to Pro Football Focus, along with safeties Justin Simmons, Will Parks, and Darian Stewart.
But, one of the key questions heading into the Broncos 2017 campaign — the ability to stop the run — has one analyst saying this squad “might be better” than the Super Bowl 50-winning unit.
Joining “Schlereth & Evans” this week, Fox Sports football analyst Joel Klatt said this year’s Broncos defense defends the run better than the 2015 squad without giving up its edge in the secondary and the pass rush.
“It’s not like they’re out there facing New England, who’s just not going to feature the run game,” Klatt said. “They’ve faced Ezekiel Elliot and the Dallas Cowboys. They’ve faced all these great backs — LeSean McCoy. And they have held all these guys under a combined 100 yards.
“So, to me, that’s the difference.”
In four games, Denver’s faced four Pro Bowl caliber running backs — Marshawn Lynch, Melvin Gordon, Eliott, and McCoy — and lead the league in rush defense with 203 yards.
Perhaps even more impressive, however, the Broncos have held opponents to just 2.4 yards per attempt in 2017, nearly a full yard (3.3) less than the 2015 team that led the NFL in rush defense.
And with a defense as dominant as Denver’s, Klatt said Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian is plenty good enough to lead the team on a deep postseason run.
“Trevor Siemian is good enough to get you to the ship. I’m telling you right now. That guy is good enough,” Klatt said.
He added: “To me, this team is good enough to compete for a division title, and in this division, that means you should be competing for a Super Bowl as well.”
Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @johnnyhart7.
