Could the 2025 Denver Broncos Defense Match the Greatness of 2015?

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In the history of the National Football League, few defensive units have been as dominant and revered as the 2015 Denver Broncos defense. Widely considered one of the best defenses in league history, that unit carried a declining Peyton Manning and a struggling offense to a Super Bowl 50 title. In 2025, after a strong showing in the 2024 season and strategic offseason upgrades, speculation has grown that the current iteration of the Broncos defense could flirt with that same level of greatness. While matching the historic 2015 unit will be no easy feat, the 2025 Broncos defense appears poised to enter that elite conversation. The 2015 Broncos defense was a juggernaut in nearly every defensive metric. They finished the regular season ranked fourth in points allowed (18.5 points per game) and led the NFL with 52 sacks. That unit also produced 86 tackles for loss and 123 quarterback hits, while limiting opposing quarterbacks to a passer rating of 78.8. They intercepted 14 passes and allowed only 19 passing touchdowns. On the ground, they gave up just 1,337 rushing yards—the third fewest in the league. The star power on that team was immense, featuring Von Miller, DeMarcus Ware, Chris Harris Jr., Aqib Talib, and Malik Jackson. Under defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, the Broncos' defense dominated every level of the field.

Fast forward a decade, and the 2024 Broncos defense delivered a performance statistically comparable to their 2015 predecessors. Denver ranked third in the league in points allowed (18.3 points per game), accumulated 63 sacks, 94 tackles for loss, and 142 quarterback hits. They allowed 22 touchdown passes, posted 15 interceptions, and yielded a passer rating of 86.2 to opposing quarterbacks. The defense also allowed the third-fewest rushing yards in the NFL, giving up 1,639 yards over the season.

These numbers suggest that the 2024 defense, while not yet as iconic as the 2015 group, was more than capable of dominating opponents across all phases. The 2025 version of the Broncos defense has the potential to be even better. The team addressed its two weakest positions—linebacker and safety—through the draft and free agency. These additions are expected to bolster a unit that already features a formidable pass rush and solid coverage. Furthermore, 2025 marks another year of continuity under defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, who took over during the 2023 season and led a remarkable turnaround. Under his guidance, the Broncos transformed from a bottom-tier defense in early 2023 to one of the league’s most consistent and physical units by the end of 2024. Despite the statistical comparisons, there are intangibles that separate a great defense from a legendary one. The 2015 defense was not just statistically elite; it made game-changing plays in the most critical moments. Von Miller’s two strip-sacks in the Super Bowl, Chris Harris Jr.'s shutdown coverage, and the unit’s ability to control games in the postseason elevated them to historic status. For the 2025 Broncos to reach that level, they will need to replicate that clutch performance when it matters most—especially in the playoffs.

The 2025 Denver Broncos defense has a realistic chance of matching the greatness of the 2015 unit. The statistical output is already on par, and the roster upgrades point toward continued improvement. If the defense can maintain its dominance, avoid injuries, and make impact plays in the postseason, it may not just flirt with 2015 greatness—it could achieve it.