Bend but Don't Break: The Broncos Defense Keeps Winning in the Red Zone

Broncos fans, the secondary was missing two of its best players on Sunday, and the defense still slammed the door every time it mattered.

Our Take: This defense keeps winning in the red zone because the backups are playing like starters. That depth is the reason Denver can survive a slow offense.

Here's what we know. DenverBroncos.com reports the defense held its opponent to 1-of-5 in the red zone and 5-of-17 on third down, including 1-of-8 on third down in the first half. Denver did it without Pat Surtain II and Talanoa Hufanga. Alex Singleton piled up 19 tackles and a sack, and Ja'Quan McMillian broke up three passes.

"It's a four-point play down there," Zach Allen said of red-zone stops, per DenverBroncos.com.

The backups have been at this for weeks. Sports Illustrated's Broncos injury report listed Hufanga as out and Surtain as questionable with ankle injuries heading into the game, while Riley Moss was a full go after his rib injury. Kris Abrams-Draine also stood out again in the secondary, per DenverBroncos.com.

What to watch: whether Surtain and Hufanga get back on the field this week, and whether the red-zone defense can hold up against a stronger offense in a big division game.

Sources: DenverBroncos.com, Sports Illustrated