Broncos Linebacker Provides Unexpected Boost To Pass Rush

The Denver Broncos defense had another big game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, and once again it was an unexpected contributor who stepped up in their 30-16 win. The Broncos talked a lot in training camp about Que Robinson’s ability to make plays, and the linebacker came through against Arizona. 

One of Robinson’s big plays happened with 90 seconds left in the game and the Cardinals threatening to make it a one-score game, and a touchdown seemed virtually certain with Arizona driving and on the Denver 1-yard line.

Emphasize “virtually” there. Robinson was expecting a run, but he didn’t hesitate when quarterback Jacoby Brissett pulled back from under center. He forced Brissett to step up, and fellow linebacker Alex Singleton wrapped up the Arizona quarterback for a sack.   

It was Robinson’s second pressure of the fourth quarter, according to Parker Gabriel of the Denver Post via Next Gen Stats. Robinson is becoming a part of a pass rush that’s been getting more involved with each passing week, and the linebacker now has a pressure rate of 14.1 percent. The advanced stats have him trailing only outside linebacker Nik Bonitto, who usually leads the rush and had a pressure rate of 21.6 percent. 

Sean Payton approves. He said it’s “arrow up” when it comes to Robinson’s play and confidence, and it’s slowly leading to a higher snap count. 

The Broncos have been shuffling players at linebacker, so it’s a welcome development with Jonathon Cooper returning as Jonah Elliss left the lineup after hopping off the field on one leg. Bonitto was credeited with 13 pressures on 28 pass-rush attempts against Arizona, per Gabriel, which is the most in a single NFL game since Nick Bosa did it early in 2024. 

Bonitto has over 20 pressures in the last two games, and he’s been elite since the Broncos’ defensive disaster in Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs. The linebacker group will get another chance against the Chiefs on Sunday in what will be Denver’s biggest game of the year to date. 

Cooper, meanwhile is still working his way back into form. He had for pressures for a pressure rate of 14.8 percent, the writer added, and defensive tackle Zach Allen noted that that’s “something we can build on.” 

The Broncos now have a chance to take over the top spot in the AFC West, which seemed unthinkable just a couple of short weeks ago. It’s a perfect example of how quickly things can change in the NFL, especially given how poorly the Chiefs played in their game against the Seattle Seahawks.