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Broncos Defense Predicted to Lead 'Deep Playoff Run'

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nelson Hubbell | Last updated Jul 1, 2025 7:00 AM ET

The Denver Broncos enter 2025 with one of the NFL best defenses, and according to Bleacher Report's Alex Ballentine that unit that could carry the team to a deep playoff run. With a league-leading pass rush and a secondary bolstered by the draft and free agency, the Broncos might be capable of slowing down even the NFL's best offenses.

"The best-case scenario for Denver wouldn't just see them finish No. 1 in regular-season metrics, it would also be propelling the team to playoff success," Ballentine said.

Additions like linebacker Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga bring vital leadership and experience to positions of needs. They join the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year in Patrick Surtain II and two of the top pass-rushers in the NFL in Nik Bonitto and Jonathan Cooper.

Oh, and adding cornerback Jahdae Barron in the first round of this year's NFL Draft should help too. All of that makes up a 2025 unit that could be better than the one that had the third least points allowed last season.

However, Ballentine believes there is one question left: did they become good enough to slow down the top-tier quarterbacks in the AFC?

"The road to the Super Bowl in the AFC goes through beating quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson. The Broncos couldn't contain Allen in the postseason last year," Ballentine said. "The next step for the Broncos is becoming the kind of defense that shuts offenses down in January."

After a 10-7 season in 2024 progress should be expected this year. Time will tell if Denver made enough tweaks and improvements to put their team over the top as one of the best in the AFC.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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