If you’re a fan of the old “Orange Crush” version of the Denver Broncos, you’re probably smiling a lot when you watch the current defense. Pass rushers are once again terrorizing opposing quarterbacks, and the Broncos are among the league leaders in a lot of the latest pass rushing stats. 

Specifically, Denver has 12 sacks in three games, which is tied for the league lead. That pace would break the franchise record for 63 that was set last year.  They’re also the best when it comes to quarterback hits at 36, and they create pressure at the third-fastest rate in the league. 

Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham and Sean Payton deserve plenty of credit for the upgrade, but there’s a fly in the ointment. The overall defensive numbers are still average, with the Broncos trending more toward the middle of the pack in yards allowed, points per game and third-down conversion. 

So what’s the problem? According to Nick Kosmider of The Athletic, Denver can’t close out games defensively. The Broncos yielded late drives to both the Los Angeles Chargers and Indianapolis Colts in their two losses, and that’s not what elite defenses do when games are on the line.

“We’ve just got to finish the game,” said defensive end John Franklin-Myers, who has been part of a very effective pass rush rotation since coming over from the Jets. 

Communication behind the pass rush has been a problem. The Broncos completely lost Chargers running back Omarion Hampton late in last week’s loss, and the result was a big play that negated much of the hard work from the guys up front. 

The absence of free agent linebacker Dre Greenlaw has been a big part of this. Denver signed him to provide more toughness in the front seven, and Greenlaw was also added to clean up some of the messes in the middle of the field. The Broncos have struggled mightily to contain running backs in the passing game, and Greenlaw and fellow injured linebacker Drew Sanders would help solve that problem. 

Fortunately, the Broncos get what looks like a break this week. The Cincinnati Bengals are coming to town without star quarterback Joe Burrow, and the Bengals were blasted by the Minnesota Vikings, 48-10. This looks like a get-right game for Denver, and it will be up to the defense to stifle Cincinnati while Bo Nix and company generate enough points to keep the Bengals from hanging around.