Run defense shows big improvement
SANTA CLARA, CALIF.» The job of a nose tackle lacks glamour. The task is to absorb contact, take up space and allow your teammates to fly through the slivers of real estate that exist between massive bodies.
Although the position occupied for the Broncos this season by new addition Domata Peko may not draw much attention, it’s a major component in their effort to become a better run-stopping unit. Flaws in that group were exposed during a 2016 season that did not included a playoff berth in six years. The Broncos were 28th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game at 130.3.
If Saturday night’s results were any indication, the Broncos’ revamped ground control centered around the 6-foot-3, 325-pound Peko is making progress.
Despite missing more than twothirds of its starting defense, the Broncos held San Francisco to 25 yards rushing on 10 carries in the first half, with the 49ers’ starters playing most of that time. The Denver defense forced four turnovers, including a strip and recovery in the second quarter by reserve safety Dymonte Thomas, who made the play after a swarm of Broncos defenders held up 49ers running back Tim Hightower near the line of scrimmage.
Defensive end Shelby Harris also recovered a fumble after a pass slipped backward out of the hands of 49ers quarterback Brian Hoyer in the first half. And Chris Lewis-harris, battling for a roster spot at cornerback, impressively intercepted a Hoyer pass to Marquise Goodwin after ripping the ball out of the hands of the wide receiver while leveling a hit on him.
The Broncos also forced a turnover on special teams.
But the play of the defensive line was particularly notable, given that the Broncos were without starting defensive ends Derek Wolfe and Jared Crick. Neither made the trip to California as they continue to rehab injuries. Defensive ends Adam Gotsis and Zach Kerr, who have moved into firstteam roles for now, found creases to make tackles (four combined) and wreak havoc as Peko held the center of the line.
It’s a formula that Wolfe, a few days before suffering an ankle injury Aug. 12, said he could see taking shape early in training camp.
“It’s proof on the film, that’s what I’ve seen,” Wolfe said. “I’ve seen it on the film where everybody is fitting in the same gaps and holding the point. Domata is doing a great job in the middle, Crick is holding it over there — he’s put on some extra weight. Our linebackers are hitting and we’re fitting really well.”
The Broncos pitched a first-half shutout Saturday. It may have just been the preseason, but the 49ers had nowhere to run.
Nick Kosmider: 303-954-1516, nkosmider@denverpost.com or @nickkosmider