Changing the Math: How the Broncos Generate Elite Pressure Without Blitzing

How Vance Joseph uses mugged fronts and creative alignments to manufacture pressure with a four-man rush.

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Unless you have been hiding under a rock, you have seen the meme above. It was created after the 2021 draft, which saw the Bengals select Ja’Marr Chase fifth overall instead of now Lions Right Tackle Penei Sewell. Though the Bengals offense is loaded with talent when healthy, they have consistently been in or near the top ten in sacks allowed since 2021. Since 2020, only Russell Wilson (who famously holds onto the ball) has been sacked more than Burrow.

For two years, I conducted a review of the Titans vs. Bengals game, highlighting the effectiveness of a simple boundary (Whip) Creeper that Shane Bowen and Mike Vrabel would run against the Bengals’ protections (links below). It was guaranteed a sack.

Do simple better. A lesson from the Titans.

The "WHIP" Replacement Pressure

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Over the years, the Bengals have made an effort to strengthen their offensive line. Ted Karras was signed as the starting center in 2022. Orlando Brown Jr. was brought in to hold down the Left Tackle spot in ‘23. The behemoth Right Tackle Amarius Mims (Georgia) was drafted in the first round in 2024. This offseason, Dalton Risner was signed away from the Vikings, and Dylan Fairchild, another Georgia product, was drafted in the third round.

Burrow was lost in Week 2 of this season, during a sack by the Jaguars, to a turf toe injury. Through Week 4, the Bengals are giving up 3.3 sacks a game, enough to be tied for fourth-worst in the NFL. It’s as though each season is Groundhog Day for Bengals fans.

On the contrary, the Denver Broncos have emerged as the sack “kings” of the NFL. Last year, the defense led the league in sacks with 61. The next closest teams, Ravens and Cowboys, finished with 49. Last year’s attack was led by a three-headed monster of Nic Bonitto (13.5 sacks), Jonathan Cooper (10.5), and Zach Allen (8 sacks). Bonitto and Allen both garnered All-Pro status.

Under Vance Joseph, the Broncos’ defense has become one of the most aggressive in the league. Last season, Denver was third in overall Blitz Rate (36.2%) and ran the fifth most man coverage (34.2%) in the NFL (PFF). In 2025, Joseph is blitzing less (27.3%) but running even more man coverage (63%, FTN). Instead of manufacturing one-on-one matchups with pressure, the Broncos are using defensive formations to create them. Against Cincinnati, the philosophy was on full display.

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Not only did the Bengals game highlight a shift in the Broncos’ overall pressure philosophy, but it also revealed the reason behind Joseph’s move to use less five-man pressure. Denver can threaten with their Edges in Bonitto and Cooper. Both have extremely fast get-offs and are mismatches for most offensive tackles. Joseph in ‘25 is using “passive” pressures, such as mugged fronts, to force one-on-one matchups with the tackles on his two elite edge rushers. 

According to NextGen Stats (NFL), the Broncos blitzed Jake Browning on only four of his 29 dropback passing attempts (13.8%). That mark was Denver’s second-lowest Blitz Rate in a game since 2023. When rushing four or fewer players, the Broncos recorded nine total pressures (Pressure % of 36%) and three sacks. Joseph used multiple pre-snap looks to create leverage and matchups. A prime example of Joseph using alignment to create advantageous matchups was a ‘Boss’ front on an early third down.

The Denver Broncos Double Mug Series vs. the Chargers

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Boss (Load) Double Mug “Games” (NTT)

A classic long-yardage stunt is to run “Games,” which features two twisting stunts that are opposite of each other (above). On one side, the defense will run a Tex stunt, with the interior defensive linemen working through the B-gap to contain (COP) while the Edge stabs vertically to “pick” the tackle, then loop back inside. Opposite, the D-line is running an Exit stunt, with the Edge going first, or breaking the pocket, and the iDL wrapping for contian.

The Broncos executed this from a Boss (Load) Front with both linebackers mugged over the guard. Denver aligned the load side into the “boundary,” opposite the passing strength. At the snap, Bonitto (bottom) works to break the pocket. The quarterback (Browning) can’t step up because Cooper has stunted into the opening. Browning escapes to the sideline as Bonitto and Cooper show their quickness by chasing him and forcing him to throw the ball away.