With Joe Collier, the former Broncos defensive coordinator and architect of the legendary Orange Crush defense, in attendance Sunday, the Broncos’ closed out the season as the best defense in the league in yards allowed per game (283.1), a franchise first.
The defense also finished No. 1 in yards allowed per play (4.4), rushing yards per attempt (3.3), passing yards per game (199.6) and total sacks (52).
“That was really special,” Kubiak said. “Going into the game, that was something we talked about. We had a pretty good lead going into the game as far as yardage and how we would finish. (Defensive coordinator) Wade (Phillips) and the coaches have come in and done a great job. The players responded to Wade’s scheme very well. I think the thing that I’m most proud of is there are a lot of guys involved in that. We’ve had our problems defensively, health-wise, but everyone has pitched in and we continue to play good defense.”
Footnotes. Inside linebacker Danny Trevathan finished as the Broncos’ leading tackler with 110 combined (74 solo). Marshall was second with 101. … Outside linebacker Von Miller finished with 32 of the team’s 120 quarterback hits and a team-high 11 sacks.
