Broncos finish season with team-high 63 sacks

When Pat Surtain II learned that the Broncos defense finished the regular season with a league-high 63 sacks, he asked to hear the number again.

“Sixty-(three)?” This is unheard of,” Surtain said. “Credit to (the defensive line). They’re going after the quarterback. It makes our job a lot easier on the back end, knowing the guys up front are generating pressures and sacks.

Denver recorded the 14th most sacks in a single season after notching five in its 38-0 win over the Chiefs at home on Sunday. It was the sixth game where the Broncos recorded at least five sacks.

The Broncos set the franchise record for most sacks in a season after adding seven last week in Cincinnati. They added to their total on Sunday with help from outside linebackers Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper – which is fitting considering the success both players have had this season.

Cooper sacked Chiefs quarterback Carson Wentz for a 4-yard loss late in the second quarter. Bonitto, who was named to his first Pro Bowl on Thursday, notched two sacks to help the Broncos end their eight-year playoff drought.

Cooper finished the season with 10.5 sacks while Bonitto found himself among the league leaders with 13. The last time Denver had two players record double-digit sacks in a season was in 2018 with Von Miller and Bradley Chubb.

In addition to five sacks against the Chiefs, the Broncos recorded 17 pressures.

“They were a difference maker this season,” safety PJ Locke said. “These guys are amazing and always hungry.”

Broncos defensive tackle Malcolm Roach exuded confidence while speaking postgame about next week’s game against the Bills in the Wild Card round. Even though Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen is playing at an MVP level and is protected by one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, Roach believes the team’s ability to rush the passer gives them a fighting chance.

“Any time you can affect the passer and protect our passer, you have a chance,” Roach said.

Defensive tackle Zach Allen, who finished the season with 8.5 sacks, pointed out that six Broncos had more than five sacks and 16 ended up with at least half a sack.

“It’s definitely a special group and having him in all areas,” defensive tackle Zach Allen said. “They really care about everyone’s success. … It’s not like that everywhere, so it’s pretty special to be part of a group like that.”

Wonderful Marvin. Second-year receiver Marvin Mims Jr.’s late-season surge continued Sunday.

Mims capped Denver’s first touchdown with a 32-yard screen pass from rookie quarterback Bo Nix and added a 7-yard touchdown run in the flat late in the third quarter.

Over the Broncos’ last two games, Mims had 13 catches on 13 targets for 154 yards and four touchdowns.

Those two games tripled Mims’ career touchdown total from two to six.

For the season, Mims caught 39 passes for 502 yards. All but seven of those catches came in Denver’s last eight games.

“We’re young and we’re hungry,” Mims said. “Even if we are hungry, we are willing to go anywhere to get it. We fought all year. What sense does it make to stop now?

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