5 reasons Broncos won’t win AFC West

2) Defensive injuries

It’s undeniable that the Broncos have one of the NFL’s best defenses. They lead the league in points allowed, passing yards allowed and total yards allowed per game. During the opening seven games, the Broncos won every game in spite of Peyton Manning’s struggles, relying on their great defense. The defense scored four touchdowns in the first six games, and then held a high flying Packers’ offense to only 10 points the next week.

However, such defensive dominance has wavered in recent weeks. In the two consecutive losses to the Colts and Chiefs, the Broncos allowed 27 and 29 points, and then allowed 24 points to a Patriots offense bereft of its biggest weapons. While Wade Phillips’ defense did limit the Bears to only 15 points in Week 11, Jay Cutler and his team were only a 2-point conversion from tying the game. Last week, Oakland scored all its points in the second half, including six in the fourth quarter of the 15-12 defeat of Denver.

The defense has been coping with some key injuries of late. Outstanding safety T.J. Ward and nose tackle Sylvester Williams both went down in against the Patriots; the banged up Williams returned last week, but Ward is still a weekly question mark. With edge rusher DeMarcus Ware still working his way into form after dealing with back issues, the Denver defense is banged up and won’t be in top form to close out the week.

Next: 3. Offensive Line Issues