Without Hufanga and Surtain, the Broncos Offense Has to Carry Thursday Night Against Seattle

Broncos Country just took a gut punch. Mile High Report says safety Talanoa Hufanga is looking at two to three weeks out with the ankle he hurt against the Chargers, and Denver hosts the Seahawks on Thursday Night Football.

Our Take: this is the week the offense stops leaning on the defense and starts carrying its share.

Hufanga has been a star: 23 tackles, two interceptions and a pick-six, including that takeover half against the Rams. Per the team's injury report, Pat Surtain II (ankle) was also estimated as a non-participant again Tuesday, and Riley Moss (ribs) is still limited. That's a lot of talent off the back end in a short week. Devon Key, who played close to 40 percent of the snaps last week, looks like the next man up.

The defense has bailed this team out all year. Sean Payton said after the win in L.A. that Denver took it away three times and forced a four-and-out. You can't count on that every week, especially with this many bodies missing.

So Bo Nix and the front five have to give the defense a lead to protect for once. Sustain drives, stay on schedule, and let a short-handed secondary play from in front. Bo said it himself: "This is why you want to be an NFL quarterback." Prove it Thursday.

Sources: [Mile High Report on Hufanga](https://www.milehighreport.com/denver-broncos-injuries/188883/broncos-safety-talanoa-hufanga-could-be-out-2-3-weeks-with-ankle-injury), [DenverBroncos.com injury report](https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/injuryreport/injury-report-cb-riley-moss-remains-limited-practice-participant-ahead-of-week-6-game-vs-seahawks)