Denver Broncos general manager George Paton has done a good job getting the team out of a sticky situation. After acquiring quarterback Russell Wilson before the 2022 season, Paton made him the highest dead cap hit in league history just two seasons later. Now, he’s in Year 2 of Bo Nix — and the final year of Wilson’s dead cap hit. Denver is currently on a six-game win streak thanks to Paton’s roster construction.
The Win Streak
The Broncos’ six-game win streak is tied for their longest active win streak since 2015, while their three straight road wins are the most since last season. In addition, the Broncos’ four fourth-quarter comebacks are tied for the most in the league this season as well.
Historically, though, Denver’s defense is starting to reach great feats. Against the Houston Texans, the Broncos’ defense did not allow a touchdown. That is the fourth time the Broncos’ defense held the opposing offense to no touchdowns. That number is tied for second-most games without a touchdown in team history, with eight games to go.
More specifically, 3-4 DE Zach Allen has now recorded at least five sacks in four straight seasons after a one-sack performance in Week 9 vs. the Texans. For reference, Allen is one of seven players to do so. Allen now sits at 30 career sacks.
Zooming back out, the Broncos’ defense now sits at 40 team sacks on the season. It’s the second-most sacks by a team through nine games since 2000. And after holding the Texans’ offense to three of 17 on third downs, the Broncos now have their fifth game of holding opposing offenses to under 20% on third down.
Rounding things out, the Broncos’ defense did not allow the Texans’ offense to score on three red zone trips. That is the fourth game this season without allowing the opposing offense to score a touchdown in the red zone.
All praise is due to Paton. After trading for Wilson, Paton did not have first- or second-round picks in the 2022 and 2023 drafts. That said, he drafted 3-4 OLB Nik Bonitto 64th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft and Riley Moss in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Both are stalwarts on Denver’s 2025 defense.
The Broncos are No. 1 in PFSN’s Defense Impact Score, Bonitto is No. 18 in PFSN’s EDGE Impact Score, and Moss is No. 20 in PFSN’s CB Impact Score.