DEFENSIVE PLAYERS MAKE BEST OF BREAK
The Broncos are dealing with injuries to a number of starters, making the playoff bye not only welcome, but needed, especially for the defense.
Outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware, who recently returned from a back injury, injured his left knee in a victory over the San Diego Chargers on Sunday at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Cornerback Chris Harris, who coach Gary Kubiak said was “really sore” Monday, injured his shoulder but played through the pain. And safety Darian Stewart reinjured his hamstring in the first quarter and did not return.
All three were set to have magnetic resonance imaging scans Monday. Harris said his results were good, and he should be able to play.
Inside linebacker Brandon Marshall went into the game with an injured right ankle and played only three snaps. Kubiak said Marshall did not “go backward” with the injury and emphasized the need for time off before the postseason begins.
2016 opponents set.
The Broncos clinched the AFC West title, the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage with their victory over the Chargers on Sunday, and they also set their 2016 opponents schedule with the victory.
The Broncos will again play fellow AFC division champs New England and Cincinnati, and for the first time since 2012, they’ll face NFC South opponents.
The Broncos will host the Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons and play the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road.
The full schedule, with dates and times, will be released in the spring.
The Broncos’ 2016 home opponents: Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, Falcons, Panthers and Patriots.
The Broncos’ 2016 road opponents: Chargers, Chiefs, Raiders, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Buccaneers, Saints and Bengals.
Top-notch D.
With Joe Collier, the Broncos’ former 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. … The Broncos signed four players they worked out in December to reserve-future contracts Monday: wide receivers Jace Davis and DeVier Posey, running back Cyrus Gray and defensive back B.J. Lowery. The four will not join the roster until after the postseason.