**Broncos' defense offers plenty of proof it is 'built to rush the passer'** (Jeff Legwold, ESPN)

With just a skeleton of a game plan, the Broncos were then able to show some teeth in their pass rush on defense. And there's a spiffy trophy in the lobby of their suburban Denver complex that was largely won when the team had its best pass rush since the days of the Orange Crush.

"Our defense is built to rush the passer," Broncos coach Vance Joseph said following Friday's win against the Redskins. "If we can get a lead on teams, we can rush the passer. That's our focus, to play with a lead so we can let Von and let Chubb, Shane Ray and Shaq Barrett go. If we are not playing with a lead, those guys can't do their jobs. It's fun to get a lead and fun to let those guys rush forward and play coverage behind."

**Why Broncos RB Phillip Lindsay is a lock to make the roster after victory at Redskins**(Kyle Fredrickson, Denver Post)

Lindsay has accounted for at least one of Denver's top-10 yardage plays in each of its three preseason games — a 19-yard touchdown reception and 16-yard catch against Chicago, a 15-yard run against Minnesota and that deep tear-drop at Washington. He totaled 65 plays in those games (41 on offense and 24 on special teams). Lindsay, featured prominently with the first-team against the Redskins, appeared in 14 plays at running back — a clear sign as the 53-man roster cut looms Friday that he will indeed be a Bronco.

"(Lindsay) is earning his right to be here and that's what you want," coach Vance Joseph said. "That's in all phases. He's obviously running the football well, he's catching the football, he's been a returner for us, but he's a hell of a gunner. ... He's the first guy down. He's earning his way.

**Dymonte Thomas: "Hopefully, I do make it'' but every day about giving coaches his best film**(Mike Klis, 9 News)

The safety position is crowded but perhaps there is room for both [Su'a] Cravens and Thomas on the 53-man roster. Cravens' strength is as a dime linebacker – a strong safety who is physical and instinctive in the box. Thomas can excel in space – the type of asset the Broncos could use as a backup to starters Darian Stewart and Simmons. At the very least, it may not be as easy sliding Thomas through waivers and onto their practice squad this year.

"Hopefully, I do make it but each and every day I try to show my coaches my best film no matter what,'' Thomas said. "Whether I'm on practice squad, or whether I'm active, I'm always going to give my best effort."

**Andy Janovich, the Broncos’ quiet enforcer, is proving his worth once again**(Nicki Jhabvala, The Athletic)

Although Janovich faced no competition at fullback this year, he may have all but sealed his spot with his play Friday at Washington, in which he was graded by Pro Football Focus as the Broncos' best offensive player overall.

Janovich played eight offensive snaps, two of them leading to touchdowns. On a second down in the final minute of the first quarter, Janovich lined up in an I-formation and put a block on 6-foot-2, 238-pound linebacker Zach Vigil to clear a running lane. Freeman zipped through, cut right, shed three tackles and trotted into the end zone for the 24-yard score.