Astonishing stat exemplifies Broncos LB Nik Bonitto's dominance

The Denver Broncos have been playing as advertised this season, building a 3-2 record through five games, the same record they had through five games last season. 

Thanks to a defensive unit that ranks fifth in total yardage allowed, as well as eighth in passing defense and fifth in rushing defense, and an equally strong offense, the Broncos are a real contender in the AFC West. The unit is led by linebacker Nik Bonitto, who could be a Defensive Player of the Year candidate with the numbers he is putting up. 

Nik Bonitto is a sack fanatic for the Broncos 

On a historic pace, which could help him break the NFL sack record set at 22.5 sacks by T.J. Watt in 2021 and Michael Strahan in 2001, Bonitto has seven sacks through five games and is coming off his best game against the Philadelphia Eagles, where he had 2.5 sacks. 

Bonitto’s seven sacks, according to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team, are tied with the New York Jets, the Eagles, the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tennessee Titans. That number also outranks the Chicago Bears (five), the Carolina Panthers (five), the Baltimore Ravens (six) and the San Francisco 49ers (six).