Denver’s defense has played well so far this season, though on Monday night it was hampered substantially by penalties.
Ejiro Evero’s group committed eight for a total of 137 yards in the 19-16 overtime loss to the Chargers.
A big chunk of that — four and 87, respectively — came on pass interference penalties against rookie Damarri Mathis in his first career start.
But the Broncos also had personal fouls called against Dre’Mont Jones (facemask), Mike Purcell (unnecessary roughness) and Bradley Chubb (roughing the quarterback). The last was an off-sides against Baron Browning.
“Some penalties I’m not going to over-coach just because the game is so fast and bodies are moving around and there’s so much reactionary stuff going on that it’s just part of the game,” Evero said.