How Can the Denver Broncos Slow Down Josh Allen?

Despite the Denver Broncos finishing the 2025 NFL season atop the league, many fans still do not view them as true contenders. The word “fraud” has been thrown around frequently. As a result, when they drew a matchup against Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills, some assumed Denver would finally be exposed.

Allen is an elite quarterback with an uncanny ability to take over any given game. However, not every game features a defense like Denver’s. Allen will certainly come out firing, but if Denver’s defense stands tall, the Bills could be going home early yet again.

Wide Receiver Worries

While Allen is still the same dominant player that he’s been for years, his receiving corps is not. Outside of Stefon Diggs, Allen has never had a true elite receiver. This year’s group is maybe his weakest yet. Khalil Shakir has been solid in the slot, but their outside receivers have struggled to consistently make plays.

Buffalo’s 2024 second-round pick, Keon Coleman, has been in and out of the lineup due to discipline-related issues. Veteran additions Josh Palmer and Gabe Davis are unavailable for the rest of the season. That leaves the Bills with 32-year-old Brandin Cooks, who they signed in late November, as the most experienced option.

Nobody is questioning Allen’s accuracy, arm strength, or anything of the sort. However, with a limited receiving corps going up against an elite Denver secondary led by second-team All-Pros Patrick Surtain II and Talanoa Hufanga, the Bills’ passing game should struggle.

Mobility Mishaps

Still, Allen’s impact goes far beyond his arm. He won the 2024 MVP for a reason.

Allen has played against elite defenses for years and always finds ways to elevate his team. Even when he’s struggling to make plays in the pocket, he has another weapon that makes him so hard to stop: his legs. He ranks first among quarterbacks in rushing yards, rushing attempts, and rushing touchdowns.

Even when he’s not getting upfield, his mobility is still incredibly dangerous. Allen’s ability to break sacks, roll out of the pocket, and make throws on the run reinforces why he earned MVP honors. Nevertheless, Denver’s fantastic army of pass rushers should be able to limit not only his arm, but his legs as well.

The Broncos rank first in the NFL in sacks with 68 — 11 more than the second-place Atlanta Falcons. Moreover, 14 of those sacks came from Pro Bowler Nik Bonitto, and seven came from All-Pro defensive tackle Zach Allen. That’s not even mentioning the key contributions from John Franklin-Myers, Jonathon Cooper, and many others. Earlier this season, Denver sacked Jalen Hurts six times, and got home to sack Trevor Lawrence and Justin Herbert five times each. Thus, the Broncos can certainly get after mobile quarterbacks.