Denver’s unit led the NFL in sacks and yards allowed yet ranked dead last in forced turnovers. The gap between dominance and playoff glory is a turnover margin they can’t afford to ignore in 2026.
The Denver Broncos’ defense finished 2025 as one of the NFL’s most fearsome units—leading the league in sacks and ranking among the top five in total yards allowed. Yet the Broncos’ inability to force turnovers exposed a glaring flaw: elite yardage stats don’t matter if you can’t create short fields for your offense. Denver ranked near the bottom of the league in forced takeaways, a statistical black hole that neutralized their dominance.
While the pass rush and coverage thrived, the turnover margin remained a liability. The Broncos finished the season with a negative turnover differential, a trend that undermines even the most statistically sound defenses when the stakes rise in January. This wasn’t just a matter of bad luck; the defense ranked 32nd in fumble recoveries and 31st in interceptions, numbers that reveal a systemic issue rather than a fluke.
The gap between Denver’s defensive prowess and its turnover drought isn’t just a curiosity—it’s a roadblock. Teams like the Chiefs and Raiders thrive on controlled field position, and a defense that can’t flip the field is one that surrenders too many scoring opportunities. The Broncos’ brass knows the fix isn’t about overhauling the unit; it’s about adding a ballhawk mentality to an already elite pass rush.
Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph pointed to the Ravens’ 2023 turnaround as a blueprint, noting that Baltimore’s leap from 28th in takeaways to first came from a cultural shift, not a roster overhaul. The Broncos’ personnel already ranks among the league’s best in generating pressure, with players like defensive end Jonathon Cooper and linebacker Alex Singleton logging double-digit sacks. Yet pressure alone isn’t enough without the finishing touch of a turnover.
Fangio’s postgame interview underscored this tension: “We’re not changing who we are. We’re adding to it. The difference between good and great is the ability to make game-changing plays.
” The Broncos’ turnover deficit wasn’t just a statistical anomaly—it was a pattern that cost them games. In 2025, Denver’s negative turnover margin placed them dead last in the league, a gap that translated to longer drives for opponents and fewer scoring opportunities for their own offense. The unit’s elite pass rush and coverage masked the issue in the regular season, but in high-leverage moments, the lack of takeaways became a liability.
Teams like the Chiefs and Raiders thrive on field position, and Denver’s inability to flip the field handed opponents a built-in advantage, especially in close games. Adding ballhawks won’t require a wholesale roster overhaul, but it demands a cultural shift. The Ravens’ 2023 turnaround proved that a defense can vault from worst to first in takeaways without changing personnel—only by prioritizing ball-tracking, pursuit angles, and aggressive coverage techniques.
Denver’s coaching staff is already planning targeted drills to sharpen those skills, with a focus on forcing fumbles and baiting quarterbacks into risky throws. The goal isn’t to abandon the unit’s strengths but to layer in the finishing moves that separate playoff teams from also-rans. What’s next: The Broncos enter the 2026 offseason with a clear mandate—turn the turnover deficit into a turnover surplus.
Expect targeted drills in training camp, a renewed emphasis on ball‑tracking in practice, and potential roster tweaks to add playmakers who thrive in the turnover market. If Denver can flip the script, the AFC West won’t just fear their defense—it’ll dread it. The first real test will come in Week 1 of the 2026 season, when the Broncos face the Chiefs in a game where field position could decide the outcome. Read at ESPN
Turnover margin is the clearest predictor of postseason success in the NFL. Denver’s defense already ranks among the league’s best in sacks and yards allowed, but without takeaways, elite yardage stats won’t translate to January wins. If the Broncos can cultivate a ballhawk mentality alongside their fearsome pass rush, the AFC West becomes dangerous ground for opponents. The difference between a playoff berth and a first-round exit often hinges on a single turnover in a critical moment.
ESPNespn.comBy Jeff LegwoldJul 2, 10:00 AMen
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