The Hufanga Effect

How the Broncos evolved from a blitz-heavy scheme to the NFL's #1 defense by changing the math at the line of scrimmage.

Despite dramatically lowering their overall Blitz Rate, the Denver Broncos' defense has only improved, ranking #1 in EPA/play (FTN). But the aggressive scheme from 2024 has disappeared. The Broncos are still getting after offenses at an elite rate, just in a slightly different way. Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph is evolving his defense and has identified a new, targeted pressure point: Talanoa Hufanga.

Through six weeks, the Denver Broncos' defense currently sits sixth in FTN’s DVOA rankings and #1 in overall EPA/play. For the past two years, the Denver defense has been one of the top-five units in the NFL. The catalyst for this success has been their defensive line, which packs a tremendous punch.

Last year, Denver led the NFL in sacks with 61. Through six weeks, they remain at the top of the league with 30 sacks. The next closest is Seattle with 21. The defensive line consists of All-Pros DE Zach Allen and Edge Nik Bonitto, who has eight sacks already this season. Jonathan Cooper, who had 10.5 sacks last year, is well on his way to double-digit sacks for back-to-back seasons.

2024’s defense was defined by the third-highest Blitz Rate (36.2%) and Early Down Blitz Rate (42.4%). DC Joseph in ‘25 has cooled off on the pressure, but is still finding ways to attack on early downs with pressure, where the Broncos currently sit at seventh (32.2%).

Overall, the Broncos' Blitz Rates have plummeted, and they currently sit 16th (31.6%), slightly above the league average. The main change in the Broncos' defense in 2025 compared to 2024 has been a decrease in manufactured aggressiveness, or simply, blitzing less.

The Broncos are still running some of the highest rates of man coverage in the league (~63%). During the offseason, the Broncos made additions in the secondary to support the front seven. One of those free agent signings was former first-team All-Pro and 49er Talanoa Hufanga. The hard-hitting safety was paired with Brandon Jones to form one of the better safety duos in the NFL.

Throughout the first six weeks of the season, Hufanga has spent about a third of his snaps near the line of scrimmage. Both Jones and Hufanga are hybrid safeties who can play back as deep safeties or near the box as a “box” safety. Joseph does a good job of utilizing both in that down safety role. However, over the past two weeks (Eagles/Jets), Joseph has been employing a targeted approach with Hufanga near the line of scrimmage, mainly as a blitzer.

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One of the key aspects of playing Down Safety is making plays in the run game. According to PFF, from Weeks 1-4, Hufanga had only recorded five total “Stops,” or tackles resulting in a negative EPA for the offense. In Weeks 5 and 6, he’s recorded seven.

Pass rushing has also seen a bump in production. Week 1 was the only time the Broncos’ safety recorded an actual pass rush. Hufanga hadn’t even recorded a pressure until the last two weeks. He now has three. Against the Eagles and Jets, he recorded eight total pass rushes. Joseph is now utilizing Hufanga as a key element in his blitz games, and not only on run downs. Let’s dive into the tape!

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