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Published on 12/21/2011 at Wed Dec 21 07:30.
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Denver Sackmasters: Dumervil and Miller

Posted Wed Dec 21st by

Defensive end Elvis Dumervil (left) and outside linebacker Von Miller (right) have made the Broncos defense relevant again. (Image courtesy of CBS Denver)

The Broncos have been getting after quarterbacks in recent weeks, thanks to the efforts of rookie outside linebacker Von Miller and defensive end Elvis Dumervil.

Over the past seven weeks, Dumervil has recorded at least half a sack each week (which is the longest streak of his career and the longest active streak in the NFL).  Miller is also one of just three players with at least a half sack in 10-plus games this season despite missing Week 13 with a thumb injury.

Arguably, Miller and Dumervil have become one of the top pass rushing tandems in the NFL.  Statistically, the Broncos rank in the top five among the best pass rush combos in the league.

Top-10 NFL Pass Rush Combos (As of Week 14):

1. Eagles — Jason Babin + Trent Cole = 27.0

2. Vikings — Jared Allen + Brian Robinson = 23.5

3. Cowboys — DeMarcus Ware + Anthony Spencer = 22.0

4. Giants — Jason Pierre-Paul + Osi Umenyiora = 20.5

5. Broncos — Von Miller + Elvis Dumervil = 20.0

6. Lions — Cliff Berry + Kyle Vanden Bosch = 19.0

6. (7). Patriots — Andre Carter (IR) + Mark Anderson = 19.0

8. Rams — Chris Long + Robery Quinn =  18

8. (9.) Ravens — Terrell Suggs + Paul Kruger = 18

10. 49ers — Aldon Smith + Ray McDonald = 17.5

Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) and defensive end Elvis Dumervil (92) sack San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011, in San Diego. The Broncos won 16-13 in overtime. MAGS OUT TV OUT (The Denver Post, John Leyba / AP)

The twenty combined sacks of Dumervil and Miller are just three short of what the Broncos entire team totaled a season ago — when Miller was playing college ball and Dumervil was sidelined due to injury.

The return of Doom and the arrival of Von has been fantastic news for Denver’s defense, but terrible news for the likes of Tom Brady, Mark Sanchez and many other opposing quarterbacks this season.  As a team, the Broncos have recorded 39 sacks in 2011, which is tied for the fourth most in the NFL.

Miller ranks third in the AFC and eighth in the NFL with 11.5 sacks (-77 yards) this season. His total is tied for the most by a rookie in franchise history.  Dumervil has registered the third-most sacks per game (.71) since his rookie season in 2006.

Denver has two sackmasters on defense that have been wreaking havoc on quarterbacks all season long.  May the mayhem continue to rain down on quarterbacks through seasons’ end and well into the playoffs.

Miller is worthy of Defensive Rookie of the Year consideration and Dumervil has certainly been the Broncos’ Comeback Player of the Year.  Enjoy the ride, folks, we’re witnessing history.

  • Anonymous

    That’s all very good– but the I’ve liked best about these guys this year is their OVERALL effectiveness as defensive presences, not just pash-rush specialists.  Doom has figured out how to be successful at a bulkier weight, making him more effective in the run game.  And Von is just a beast out there– yes, he still has some things to learn, but he’s really looking like a guy who can do anything and everything on the field.  And that’s going to be crucial to our long-term development as a defense. 

  • http://Facebook.com/BroncosZone Jon

    Very true.  Their certainly not one-trick ponies… (As East pointed out a few Game Balls ago…)

  • Anonymous

    While I’m stoked that Von has turned out to be what he was supposed to be, I’m even more glad to see Elvis back and finally getting some attention of his own. With most of the attention going to Von, Elvis has quietly put together one heck of a season!