The Denver Broncos’ defense has been forcing turnovers at an impressive pace during the team’s recent winning streak.
Over the last four weeks, the Broncos have totaled 15 takeaways, the most by any team during a four-game stretch since 1989. Denver also has a four-game streak of at least three takeaways, a team-high since 2000.
“It’s huge,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said of the team’s takeaways earlier this week. “If you’re looking at the league in general, with anywhere from 11 to 14 possessions per game — you take it away, you get one, they get one less. You take two away, you get two more and they get two less — just do the math. It was at that 1-5 mark that we were not really good with that. Since that mark, we’ve been really good with that. We have to keep paying attention to it, but it’s significant.”
Denver has totaled 22 takeaways this season, more than any other team.
At some point, there will be some regression. The Broncos have recovered 10 fumbles in their last four games, a historically high total. As Andrew Mason of Denver Sports pointed out on Twitter/X, two of those fumbles were muffed snaps and one was a botched reverse — some luck was involved in those turnovers.
The Broncos can continue to be aggressive, though, punching the ball out when given opportunities while continuing to force interceptions as well. Denver might not be able to keep up its historic turnover pace, but the Broncos can continue this style of play that has led to takeaways.
4 takeaways: Justin Simmons and Ja'Quan McMillian
Justin Simmons (three interceptions, one fumble recovery) and Ja’Quan McMillian (two interceptions, two fumble recoveries) lead the team in takeaways this season.
2 takeaways: 3 players
Kareem Jackson (two interceptions), Jonathon Cooper (two fumble recoveries) and Alex Singleton (two fumble recoveries) all have two takeaways this year.
1 takeaway: 8 players
Pat Surtain, Fabian Moreau and P.J. Locke each have one interception this season. Josey Jewell, Mike Purcell, D.J. Jones, Drew Sanders and Tremon Smith all have one fumble recovery this year.
Forced fumbles: 12 players
Josey Jewell and Baron Browning have both forced two fumbles this season. Ten other players have forced one fumble.
Total takeaways: 22
The Broncos lead the NFL in takeaways this season. Denver’s 12 fumble recoveries are also a league high.
