Baron Browning might’ve had first-game jitters. Or maybe he was just being the aggressive outside linebacker that he is.
During the Green Bay Packers’ first drive of the second quarter, Browning — who made his season debut for the Broncos on Sunday — was called for defensive offsides. “I saw one second on the play clock and I was like, ‘I’m going to take my shot,’” he said.
Six plays later, Browning was penalized again. This time for a neutral zone infraction, but he didn’t care. In Denver’s 19-17 win over Green Bay, Browning, who missed six games due to recovery from a torn meniscus, didn’t want to be held back.
“Shooters shoot. I’m going to take my shot,” Browning said. “You win some, you lose some. But I’m not going to change the way I play the game.”
Browning’s impact in the pass rush was noticeable. He recorded a team-best four pressures with a pass rush win rate of 25% in 29 defensive snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. Inside linebacker Josey Jewell wished the team had Browning a week earlier because he provides “great energy.”
Browning’s return to Denver’s outside linebacker rotation wasn’t the only defensive change on Sunday. Veteran cornerback Fabian Moreau started opposite of Pat Surtain II on the outside instead of second-year Damarri Mathis.
Moreau played 64 snaps, allowing two receptions for seven yards on five targets, according to Pro Football Focus. Mathis, was held to three defensive snaps and 12 on special teams.
“Fabian graded out really well (and) stayed on top of coverage,” head coach Sean Payton said. “It was good to have (Browning) in the lineup. Two different positions but nonetheless, players that helped contribute greatly.”
Denver’s defense making strides: The Broncos have not been perfect defensively but they have shown improvement from earlier in the season. Denver has allowed 36 points total in the last two games, which Jewell contributes to simplifying the game plan and gaining more trust in the new system.
“There’s always small little quirks that you have to work out with the players (like) where they are going to be and going to fit. And game in and game out, you get that trust for each other. That’s what we’ve been doing.”
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