Fansided

Power ranking the NFL defenses for 2019

By Russell S. Baxter

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 05: Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks is sacked by Demarcus Lawrence #90 of the Dallas Cowboys in the first half during the Wild Card Round at AT&T Stadium on January 05, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 05: Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks is sacked by Demarcus Lawrence #90 of the Dallas Cowboys in the first half during the Wild Card Round at AT&T Stadium on January 05, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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CENTENNIAL CO – AUGUST 12: Head Coach Vic Fangio keeps an eye on drills during Bronco”u2019s training camp on August 12, 2019 in Centennial, Colorado. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
CENTENNIAL CO – AUGUST 12: Head Coach Vic Fangio keeps an eye on drills during Bronco”u2019s training camp on August 12, 2019 in Centennial, Colorado. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /

7. Denver Broncos

2018 Review: The team from the Mile High City has relied on this side of the football for quite some time. The Denver defense was the catalyst for the team’s most recent Super Bowl title in 2015. And there was a lot of good moments from this unit, led by the outside linebacking combination of Von Miller (14.5) and Bradley Chubb (12). The Broncos finished with 28 takeaways and this unit as a whole played better in the second half of the season. But the team also finished 21st vs. the run one year after allowing the fifth-fewest rushing yards in the league.

2019 Key Additions: After two seasons of Vance Joseph at the helm, general manager John Elway once again ended up deciding to hire another defensive-minded head coach in veteran Vic Fangio. He and new coordinator Ed Donatell come over after a successful stint in the Windy City. The veteran additions include defensive back Kareem Jackson, inside linebacker Dekoda Watson and four-year cornerback Bryce Callahan – the latter via the Bears.

Analysis: It took a few years and more than a few moves by the front office for Fangio to get the Chicago defense to where he left it. But the Broncos may have more talent at this time than the unit he originally inherited with the Bears. The duo of Miller and Chubb may have just scratched the surface in terms of what they can do together. The key here is to shore up that inconsistent run defense, something the coach did this past season in the Windy City.

Next: No. 6

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