Top action photos on defense from Weeks 1-9 | The best before the Broncos' bye
As the Broncos rest during the bye week, look back on the first nine weeks of the 2026 season with our favorite action photos of the defense from team photographers.
Denver Broncos linebacker Que Robinson (51) pressures Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) during the Broncos' Week 1 game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri on Monday, September 14, 2026. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian (29) tackles Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (11) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on September 20, 2026. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos linebacker Jonah Elliss (52) tackles Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on September 20, 2026. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos defensive end Zach Allen (99) and linebacker Que Robinson (51) sack Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on September 20, 2026. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II (2) tackles Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (11) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on September 20, 2026. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos cornerback Riley Moss (21) makes an interception during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on September 20, 2026. Photo by Madilyn Gemme / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos defensive end Eyioma Uwazurike (96) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on September 20, 2026. Photo by Gavin Liddell / Denver Broncos
Rain splashes as Los Angeles Rams tight end Colby Parkinson (84)'s and Denver Broncos linebacker Jonah Elliss (52)'s helmets collide during the Broncos' Week 3 game against the Los Angeles Rams at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on September 27, 2026. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos safety Talanoa Hufanga (9) sacks Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during the Broncos' Week 3 game against the Los Angeles Rams at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on September 27, 2026. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos safety Talanoa Hufanga (9) makes an interception and returns it for a touchdown during the Broncos' Week 3 game against the Los Angeles Rams at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on September 27, 2026. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos safety Talanoa Hufanga (9) runs with the ball as he returns an interception for a touchdown during the Broncos' Week 3 game against the Los Angeles Rams at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on September 27, 2026. Photo by Madilyn Gemme / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos defensive end Eyioma Uwazurike (96) sacks Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during the Broncos' Week 3 game against the Los Angeles Rams at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on September 27, 2026. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II (2) tackles San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) during the Broncos' Week 4 game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California on October 4, 2026. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos defensive tackle D.J. Jones (93) pressures San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) during the Broncos' Week 4 game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California on October 4, 2026. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos defensive end Zach Allen (99) and defensive tackle D.J. Jones (93) tackle San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) during the Broncos' Week 4 game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California on October 4, 2026. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine (31) and linebacker Justin Strnad (40) tackle Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton (8) during the Broncos' Week 5 game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on October 11, 2026. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine (31) breaks up a pass to Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Tre' Harris (9) during the Broncos' Week 5 game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on October 11, 2026. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos safety Brandon Jones (22) tackles Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell (34) during the Broncos' Week 5 game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on October 11, 2026. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos linebacker Que Robinson (51) tackles Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) for a fourth-down stop during the Broncos' Week 5 game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on October 11, 2026. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) fumbles the ball as he is sacked by Denver Broncos defensive end Zach Allen (99) during the Broncos' Week 5 game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on October 11, 2026. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos defensive tackle D.J. Jones (93) strip sacks Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) during the Broncos' Week 5 game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on October 11, 2026. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos safety Brandon Jones (22) intercepts a pass during the Broncos' Week 5 game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on October 11, 2026. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos linebacker Que Robinson (51) sacks Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) during the Broncos' Week 6 game against the Seattle Seahawks at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Thursday, October 15, 2026. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto (15) forces Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) to fumble during the Broncos' Week 6 game against the Seattle Seahawks at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Thursday, October 15, 2026. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian (29) tackles Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) during the Broncos' Week 6 game against the Seattle Seahawks at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Thursday, October 15, 2026. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos defensive tackle D.J. Jones (93) and defensive end Zach Allen (99) tackle Seattle Seahawks running back Emanuel Wilson (23) during the Broncos' Week 6 game against the Seattle Seahawks at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Thursday, October 15, 2026. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos linebacker Jonah Elliss (52) sacks Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) during the Broncos' Week 6 game against the Seattle Seahawks at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Thursday, October 15, 2026. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto (15) dives for Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) during the Broncos' Week 6 game against the Seattle Seahawks at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Thursday, October 15, 2026. Photo by Madilyn Gemme / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian (29) makes an interception in overtime during the Broncos' Week 6 game against the Seattle Seahawks at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Thursday, October 15, 2026. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos defensive end Zach Allen (99) jumps to defend as Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) throws a pass during the Broncos' Week 7 game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on October 25, 2026. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos safety Brandon Jones (22) and linebacker Justin Strnad (40) tackle Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) during the Broncos' Week 7 game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on October 25, 2026. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos defensive tackle Malcolm Roach (97) sacks Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) during the Broncos' Week 7 game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on October 25, 2026. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos defensive tackle Malcolm Roach (97) bats down a pass during the Broncos' Week 7 game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on October 25, 2026. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton (49) and cornerback Jahdae Barron (23) tackle Kansas City Chiefs running back Emmett Johnson (10) during the Broncos' Week 8 game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on November 1, 2026. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton (49) breaks up a pass intended for Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) during the Broncos' Week 8 game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on November 1, 2026. Photo by Madilyn Gemme / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos cornerback Riley Moss (21) and cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian (29) tackle Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III (9) during the Broncos' Week 8 game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on November 1, 2026. Photo by Adam Bratten / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II (2) tackles Kansas City Chiefs tight end Noah Gray (83) during the Broncos' Week 8 game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on November 1, 2026. Photo by Madilyn Gemme / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos cornerback Riley Moss (21) breaks up a pass during the Broncos' Week 8 game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on November 1, 2026. Photo by Madilyn Gemme / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos linebacker Dondrea Tillman (92) defends during the Broncos' Week 8 game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on November 1, 2026. Photo by Madilyn Gemme / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper (0) runs at the start of the play during the Broncos' Week 8 game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on November 1, 2026. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos safety Taylor Rapp (30) and linebacker Alex Singleton (49) tackle Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III (9) during the Broncos' Week 8 game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on November 1, 2026. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos defensive tackle Malcolm Roach (97), sacks Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) to end the game during the Broncos' Week 8 game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on November 1, 2026. Photo by Madilyn Gemme / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos cornerback Jahdae Barron (23) tackles Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker (18) during the Broncos' Week 9 game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on November 8, 2026. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto (15) tackles Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (30) during the Broncos' Week 9 game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on November 8, 2026. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Carolina Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble (82) tips a pass, accidentally resulting in an interception by safety Devon Key (26) during the Broncos' Week 9 game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on November 8, 2026. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto (15) strip sacks Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) during the Broncos' Week 9 game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on November 8, 2026. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
