Are The Broncos This Good? The Stats Speak For Themselves

By Rich Kurtzman

The Denver Broncos are currently making a case for best team in the NFL. Through two weeks of this season, they're undoubtedly the league's top offense and they may just have one of the most domineering defenses as well.

Peyton Manning calls a play (Credit, Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

The Numbers Speak for Themselves

Denver's 90 points scored are far and away the most by any team, with the Green Bay Packers coming in second with 66. In their Week 1 win over the Baltimore Ravens, Peyton Manning famously went wild with seven total touchdown passes to tie an NFL record. Last Sunday, the Broncos scored in a variety of ways, with Manning throwing two, Knowshon Moreno running two in and Trindon Holliday even returned a punt 81 yards for a touchdown.

Manning's nine touchdown passes are the most of any quarterback, and his zero interceptions are the lowest through two games. He's playing arguably the greatest football of his illustrious career, seemingly improving his chemistry with the tremendously talented trio of wide receivers, Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker and newly acquired Wes Welker.

Amazingly, 66 of those 90 points have come in second halves of games, as the Broncos understand how to finish strong and put teams away. Also, according to Andrew Mason of denverbroncos.com, they are one of only five teams to score 90 points in the first two games of any season in NFL history.

The stupendous statistics don't stop with the offense though, there are even more top marks for the defensive side of the ball.

Denver's defensive backs have intercepted six total passes – four against Eli Manning last week – which is tied for most in the NFL with their AFC West rival, the Kansas City Chiefs. Chris Harris leads the team with two, and five total players have picked off a pass.

When they're not intercepting the ball, Broncos players have been batting it down. Their 26 pass breakups also lead the league.

Don't call Denver's defense one-dimensional, either, they can stop both the pass and the run. Against the remarkable Ray Rice and the Giants bumbling rushing attack, the Broncos have allowed a mere 81 total rushing yards, or 40.5 yards per game on the ground. It's clearly the top mark in the NFL.

A few more stats: Denver is second in forcing turnovers with six, and third in both total yards (926) and net yards per attempt (8.5).

Simply, all those numbers add up to success, as the Broncos sit a perfect 2-0 and show no signs of slowing this week against the hated Oakland Raiders. Oakland is 1-1 and their defense has allowed a mere 30 points, meaning it will be strength versus strength when the two teams meet on Monday Night Football.

For more Broncos news and updates, visit Broncos Central.

Rich Kurtzman is a Denver native, Colorado State University alumnus, sports nerd, athletics enthusiast, and competition junkie. Currently writing for a multitude of websites while working on books, one on the history of the Denver Broncos and Mile High Stadium. Rich is a freelance writer covering all things NFL. His work can be found on Examiner.com.