Broncos finish season with team-record 63 sacks: “It really is a special group”

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

“Sixty-(three)? That’s unheard of,” Surtain said. “Credit to (the defensive line). They get after the quarterback. It makes our job in the back end much easier, knowing the guys up front generate 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 the Broncos recorded at least five sacks.

The Broncos set the franchise record for most sacks in a season after adding seven last week at Cincinnati. They added to their total Sunday with the help of outside linebackers Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper — fitting given 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 ended up 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 P.J. Locke said. “These dudes are unbelievable and always hungry.”

Broncos defensive tackle Malcolm Roach exuded confidence when talking postgame about next week’s matchup 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.

“Whenever 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 five-plus sacks and 16 ended up with at least a half sack.

“It really is a special group and the fact that it’s across the board,” defensive tackle Zach Allen said.  “They genuinely care about each other’s success. … It’s not like that everywhere, so it’s pretty special to be part of a group like that.”

Marvelous Marvin. The late-season surge for second-year wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. continued Sunday.

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