The Denver Broncos boast a formidable defense filled with talent, but one player who may not receive the spotlight he deserves is Zach Allen. As the Broncos prepare to face the Green Bay Packers this Sunday, Allen could emerge as a critical factor in the game.
While the Broncos” defense features high-profile athletes like All-Pro cornerback Patrick Surtain and standout pass rusher Nik Bonitto, Allen stands out as the premier interior pass rusher in the league. His ability to disrupt opposing offenses is not lost on Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, who noted, “Zach is a guy that can win quickly inside.” LaFleur highlighted Allen”s impressive season, which includes over 50 pressures, making him a dual threat against any offensive line.
Drafted in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Allen has proven to be one of the league”s top defensive tackles, ranking No. 90 on the NFL Top 100 list this year. Despite not having made a Pro Bowl, he often gets overshadowed by teammates in a star-studded defensive front. LaFleur”s offensive coordinator, Adam Stenavich, praised Allen for his quickness and skill set, stating, “He”s got great moves in the pass rush game… He plays fast.” Although he is slightly underweight for a defensive tackle at 285 pounds, Allen”s height of 6-foot-5 allows him to leverage his agility and strength effectively.
Allen”s statistics speak volumes about his effectiveness. He currently ranks fifth among defensive tackles with six sacks, but more impressively, he leads the entire NFL with 98 quarterback hits, according to official league statistics. This marks a significant achievement, as he outpaces all defensive tackles in this category. Last season, he topped the league with 40 quarterback hits, surpassing notable players like Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals.
Despite being held without a sack in his last outing against the Las Vegas Raiders, Allen still registered three pressures and three quarterback hits, showcasing his ability to influence plays even when not directly sacking the quarterback. Broncos head coach Sean Payton commented on Allen”s quickness off the line, emphasizing his stamina and ability to perform consistently throughout the game.
The Packers” offensive line has had its ups and downs lately, with center Sean Rhyan managing to hold his ground without allowing a sack since taking over, though he has given up multiple pressures. The challenge for Green Bay will be balancing their protection against Allen while also accounting for the threats posed by Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper, who have combined for impressive sack totals this season.
As the Packers aim to secure a victory against the AFC-leading Broncos, keeping quarterback Jordan Love upright will be paramount. The offensive line must not lose sight of Allen, or they risk allowing him to wreak havoc on their game plan. Rhyan succinctly stated, “They”re a good team. Got to use our technique, what we”re taught, and then go execute.” The outcome may very well hinge on how effectively the Packers can manage Allen”s presence on the field.
