Fansided

5 reasons Broncos can win the Super Bowl this year

By Russell S. Baxter

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 30: Bradley Chubb (55) of the Denver Broncos after forcing Philip Rivers (17) of the Los Angeles Chargers to throw an interception during the first quarter. The Denver Broncos hosted the Los Angeles Chargers at Broncos Stadium at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, December 30, 2018. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 30: Bradley Chubb (55) of the Denver Broncos after forcing Philip Rivers (17) of the Los Angeles Chargers to throw an interception during the first quarter. The Denver Broncos hosted the Los Angeles Chargers at Broncos Stadium at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, December 30, 2018. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 09: Von Miller #58 of the Denver Broncos warms up prior to their game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on December 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 09: Von Miller #58 of the Denver Broncos warms up prior to their game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on December 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /

1. Defensive déjà vu

We have seen a few over the years, even in this offensive era of the NFL. A defensive unit that strikes fear into nearly every opponent and winds up being the guiding force to a Super Bowl championship. As for this century, the 2000 Baltimore Ravens, 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers and 2013 Seattle Seahawks come to mind.

And of course, there’s the Denver Broncos of 2015 under the command of celebrated coordinator Wade Phillips. The eventual Super Bowl 50 winners were stifling on defense throughout the season and made up for a shaky year by quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Brock Osweiler. Then-head coach Gary Kubiak’s club turned over the ball 31 times in 16 contests – 24 of those by the two signal-callers.

Denver surrendered only 29 offensive touchdowns, totaled an NFL-best 52 sacks and forced 27 turnovers. In the postseason sweep of the Steelers, Patriots and Panthers, the Broncos allowed a combined 44 points, rolled up 14 quarterback traps (5 by eventual Super Bowl MVP Von Miller), came up with seven takeaways and gave up only four offensive touchdowns.

So does this team have the right parts in place to come up with a similar performance? Heralded Vic Fangio and defensive coordinator Ed Donatell were part of a Chicago Bears’ team in 2018 that allowed the fewest points in the league while forcing an NFL-best 36 turnovers. Khalil Mack spearheaded a pass rush that totaled 50 sacks and the team allowed only 27 offensive TDs.

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The coaches inherit Miller and Bradley Chubb, who make for a potent outside linebacking duo. There’s a number of newcomers in the secondary in cornerbacks Kareem Jackson and Bryce Callahan. These Broncos have some big cleats to fill to duplicate that 2015 defensive performance. But Fangio and Donatell definitely have some pieces to work with.

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