Niner Noise
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NFL power rankings: Post-preseason 32-team breakdown before Week 1

By Peter Panacy

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - AUGUST 24: Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts watches from the sidelines during the fourth quarter of the preseason game against the Chicago Bears at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - AUGUST 24: Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts watches from the sidelines during the fourth quarter of the preseason game against the Chicago Bears at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – AUGUST 29: Joe Flacco #5 of the Denver Broncos laughs as he sits on the bench next to Dalton Risner #66 during a preseason National Football League game against the Arizona Cardinals at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 29, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – AUGUST 29: Joe Flacco #5 of the Denver Broncos laughs as he sits on the bench next to Dalton Risner #66 during a preseason National Football League game against the Arizona Cardinals at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 29, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Previous: . Denver Broncos. 24. team. 45. .

In all honesty, the Broncos defense has looked pretty darned good over their preseason campaign thus far, justifying a slight boost in NFL power rankings.

This was the unit which made Jimmy Garoppolo’s brief stint in Denver hell, and it also held the Los Angeles Rams’ B-team offense to just 10 points in Week 3 of the preseason.

Not bad. And if one travels back to the Broncos’ last Super Bowl win, this formula can be an effective one.

It might have to be, as long as veteran quarterback Joe Flacco is under center. General manager John Elway seems to think Flacco can provide a spark, at least long enough until rookie Drew Lock takes over. Lock has had some impressive moments during the preseason, but his offensive line and the team’s depth remain some serious question marks.

But if the defense winds up being how Denver succeeds this season, the Broncos could end up surprising some people.

Remember, head coach Vic Fangio made a name for himself developing defenses into league-leading units for years before accepting this job.