Top action photos on defense from Weeks 1-11 | The best before the bye
As the Broncos rest during the bye week, look back on the first 11 weeks of the season with our favorite action photos of the defense from team photographers.
Denver Broncos cornerback Riley Moss (21) breaks up a pass intended for Tennessee Titans wide receiver Elic Ayomanor (5) during the Broncos' Week 1 game against the Tennessee Titans at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on September 7, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos defensive end Zach Allen (99) sacks Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward (1) during the Broncos' Week 1 game against the Tennessee Titans at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on September 7, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos defensive end Zach Allen (99), linebacker Jonathon Cooper (0) and defensive tackle D.J. Jones (93) tackle Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard (20) during the Broncos' Week 1 game against the Tennessee Titans at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on September 7, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian (29) forces a fumble for a strip-sack on Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward (1) during the Broncos' Week 1 game against the Tennessee Titans at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on September 7, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos defensive end John Franklin-Myers (98) leaps between two Colts players during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana on September 14, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos linebacker Jonah Elliss (52) tackles Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana on September 14, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto (15) and linebacker Jonathon Cooper (0) pressure Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana on September 14, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos defensive tackle D.J. Jones (93) sacks Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) during the Broncos' Week 3 game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on September 21, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II (2) backpedals during the Broncos' Week 3 game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on September 21, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos safety Talanoa Hufanga (9) breaks up a pass intended for Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (15) during the Broncos' Week 3 game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on September 21, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto (15) sacks Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) during the Broncos' Week 3 game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on September 21, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos safety Brandon Jones (22) runs with the ball after an interception during the Broncos' Week 3 game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on September 21, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II (2) breaks up a pass intended for Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston (1) during the Broncos' Week 3 game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on September 21, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto (15) sacks Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) during the Broncos' Week 3 game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on September 21, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) throws a pass under pressure during the Broncos' Week 3 game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on September 21, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos defensive end John Franklin-Myers (98) sacks Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) during the Broncos' Week 3 game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on September 21, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian (29) tackles Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) during the Broncos' Week 4 game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on September 29, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II (2) defends Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) during the Broncos' Week 4 game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on September 29, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton (49) tackles Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) during the Broncos' Week 4 game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on September 29, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto (15) and linebacker Jonathon Cooper (0) converge on Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning (6) for a sack during the Broncos' Week 4 game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on September 29, 2025. Photo by Adam Bratten / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II (2) defends against Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) during the Broncos' Week 5 game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 5, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos safety Brandon Jones (22) tackles Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) during the Broncos' Week 5 game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 5, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) throws a pass as Denver Broncos defensive end Zach Allen (99) pressures him during the Broncos' Week 5 game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 5, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II (2) defends against Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) during the Broncos' Week 5 game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 5, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian (29) sacks Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) during the Broncos' Week 5 game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 5, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6), Denver Broncos safety Brandon Jones (22), safety Devon Key (26), cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian (29) and cornerback Pat Surtain II (2) go up for a Hail Mary pass during the Broncos' Week 5 game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 5, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos defensive tackle D.J. Jones (93) and defensive end Zach Allen (99) puck up New York Jets running back Isaiah Davis (32) during the Broncos' Week 6 game against the New York Jets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England on October 12, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II (2) breaks up a pass intended for New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson (5) during the Broncos' Week 6 game against the New York Jets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England on October 12, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto (15) sacks New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields (7) during the Broncos' Week 6 game against the New York Jets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England on October 12, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos defensive tackle Malcolm Roach (97) and defensive end Zach Allen (99) tackle New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo (44) during the Broncos' Week 7 game against the New York Giants at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on October 19, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper (0) sacks New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) during the Broncos' Week 7 game against the New York Giants at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on October 19, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton (49) in action during the Broncos' Week 7 game against the New York Giants at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on October 19, 2025. Photo by Gavin Liddell / Denver Broncos
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) drops back to pass during the Broncos' Week 7 game against the New York Giants at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on October 19, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos defensive end John Franklin-Myers (98) and linebacker Jonathon Cooper (0) tackle New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo (44) during the Broncos' Week 7 game against the New York Giants at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on October 19, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos defensive end John Franklin-Myers (98) pressures New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) during the Broncos' Week 7 game against the New York Giants at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on October 19, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos linebacker Justin Strnad (40) runs after intercepting a pass during the Broncos' Week 7 game against the New York Giants at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on October 19, 2025. Photo by Gavin Liddell / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto (15) pressures Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) during the Broncos' Week 8 game against the Dallas Cowboys at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on October 26, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper (0) pressures Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) as he throws during the Broncos' Week 8 game against the Dallas Cowboys at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on October 26, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos cornerback Riley Moss (21) covers Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) during the Broncos' Week 8 game against the Dallas Cowboys at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on October 26, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos cornerback Jahdae Barron (23) intercepts a pass during the Broncos' Week 8 game against the Dallas Cowboys at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on October 26, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos linebacker Dondrea Tillman (92) runs with the ball after an interception during the Broncos' Week 8 game against the Dallas Cowboys at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on October 26, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos linebacker Dre Greenlaw (57), defensive end Zach Allen (99) and safety Brandon Jones (22) tackle Houston Texans running back Nick Chubb (21) during the Broncos' Week 9 game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on November 2, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos defensive end Zach Allen (99) stops Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills (10) short of the goal line during the Broncos' Week 9 game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on November 2, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos safety Talanoa Hufanga (9) tackles Houston Texans tight end Harrison Bryant (88) during the Broncos' Week 9 game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on November 2, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto (15) works against Houston Texans offensive tackle Blake Fisher (57) to pressure quarterback Davis Mills (10) during the Broncos' Week 9 game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on November 2, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos linebacker Jonah Elliss (52) goes up against Houston Texans offensive tackle Blake Fisher (57) during the Broncos' Week 9 game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on November 2, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto (15) during the Broncos' Week 9 game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on November 2, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos safety Talanoa Hufanga (9) tackles Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the Broncos' Week 10 game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on November 6, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos safety Talanoa Hufanga (9) sacks Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) on fourth down during the Broncos' Week 10 game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on November 6, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos linebackers Nik Bonitto (15) and Jonathon Cooper (0) chase down Raiders quarterback Geno Smith during the Broncos' Week 10 game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on November 6, 2025. Photo by Gavin Liddell / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos linebacker Dondrea Tillman (92) runs with the ball after intercepting a pass during the Broncos' Week 10 game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on November 6, 2025. Photo by Gavin Liddell / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos defensive end John Franklin-Myers (98) tackles Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the Broncos' Week 10 game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on November 6, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos linebacker Justin Strnad (40) hits Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Hollywood Brown (5) during the Broncos' Week 11 game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on November 16, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian (29) an interception during the Broncos' Week 11 game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on November 16, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos defensive tackle D.J. Jones (93) tackles Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) during the Broncos' Week 11 game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on November 16, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Ja'Quan McMillian sacks Patrick Mahomes during the Broncos' Week 11 game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on November 16, 2025. Photo by Gavin Liddell / Denver Broncos
