ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The "No Fly Zone" remains the best pass defense in the league, but in the last five weeks, the run defense has been among the game's worst, ranking 29th in yardage allowed per game (140.4), and 24th in yardage allowed per rush (4.53).
Only in first-down rate does it still excel; the Broncos are 11th, allowing one first down every 4.56 carries, in part because the Broncos continue to be gashed by explosive runs rather than a death-by-paper-cuts series of 5-to-10-yard pickups.
"Last year we were 3.3 yards per rush, which was the best in the last four years of anybody," Defensive Coordinator Wade Phillips said.