Week 5: Where do the Denver Broncos stack up in NFL power rankings?

The Denver Broncos are coming off back-to-back road wins over teams who had winning records heading into those games. The New York Jets were coming off a 24-3 dominating win before being stonewalled by Denver’s defense, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers bounced back from their 26-7 beatdown by Denver last week to dominate the Philadelphia Eagles. Maybe the Broncos are good?

In this week’s power rankings, the consensus has begun to rank the Broncos all over the place. Some are still not believers, while others may be believing a little too much. Given the two extremes, it probably makes sense to peg them somewhere around 19th or 20th this week. Another win next week and we might start to see that shift into the top half. Besides, beating the Las Vegas Raiders is always a good thing and its something the Broncos haven’t done since 2019.

Here is where the Broncos are ranking around the NFL.

ESPN – 22nd

Week 4 ranking: 27
Biggest issue on offense: Consistency against the run

This is a bit of a nitpick, as the run defense has improved since allowing more than 140 rushing yards in each of Denver’s first two games. But compared to where the Broncos rank in other categories (they lead the NFL in sacks per pass attempt and are top four in red zone defense, total defense, passing defense and third-down defense), their No. 12 ranking in rush defense is something to work on. Vance Joseph’s unit has gotten better, surrendering only 155 rushing yards the past two weeks, but further improvement will make the Broncos even more stifling than they already are. — Jeff Legwold

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NY Times – 25th

Last week: 28
Surprise: Beat New York Jets 10-9

First-round quarterback Bo Nix had seven completions for minus-7 yards in the first half Sunday. And the Broncos won! Nix finished with 60 passing yards, becoming the first quarterback (with at least 20 pass attempts) to win with so few yards since Eli Manning in 2007, according to ESPN Sports & Info. The only player this season with fewer yards per pass attempt than Nix (4.8) is Bryce Young, who got benched. He’s 32nd in the league in EPA per dropback (minus-.30). Speedy fourth-round wide receiver Troy Franklin also is struggling (four catches, 9 yards).

CBS Sports – 17th

Sean Payton has this team 2-2 with a rookie quarterback. Why? The defense is playing outstanding right now and carrying this group.

ProFootballTalk – 15th

Broncos (No. 21; 2-2): If the offense ever catches up to the defense, they’ll be dangerous.

NFL.com – 20th

Style points are one thing, but at least in the case of Sunday’s game, the Broncos will take a second straight road win. The defense has now allowed 29 points over the past 12 quarters and held each of its past three opponents to 251 yards or fewer. The weather on Sunday might have helped keep the score down, as did the Jets’ rash of penalties, but there’s no denying this Denver defense has come out with hardhats on this season. The Broncos took Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson out of the game and sacked Aaron Rodgers five times with an aggressive, blitz-heavy approach. You’d like to see more from Bo Nix and his wide receivers, but they did just enough with two second-half scoring drives to (barely) finish it off. Is the AFC West open with the Chiefs and Chargers banged up? The chance to make a run is now, with three of the next four at home against a softer part of the schedule.

Yahoo Sports – 23rd

It’s hard for cornerbacks to win Defensive Player of the Year, but Pat Surtain II is playing at a special level. He’s shadowing No. 1 receivers and erasing them from games. The Broncos’ defense is playing very well and Surtain is the biggest reason.

Sporting News – 19th

The Broncos have gone from compressed, uninspiring offense with Bo Nix to getting more than enough with their defense overachieving for Sean Payton. They can make some division noise over the next two games before seeing Payton’s old team, the Saints.

USA Today – 18th

An offense struggling mightily with rookie QB Bo Nix seems to be garnering most of the attention. A second-ranked defense that’s been nearly airtight in the red zone deserves just as much.

Where do you think the Broncos should be ranked after tough back-to-back road wins? Share in the comments section below.