What Is 2019 Denver Broncos football team

Overview

The 2019 Denver Broncos season marked the team's 50th in the NFL and the first under head coach Vic Fangio, who was hired in January 2019 after serving as the Chicago Bears' defensive coordinator. After a 6–10 record in 2018, the Broncos aimed to rebuild around defense and a young quarterback.

The team finished with a 7–9 record, missing the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year. Despite flashes of promise from rookie QB Drew Lock, offensive inconsistency and a tough division schedule hindered postseason hopes.

• Vic Fangio became the 17th head coach in franchise history, bringing a defensive-minded approach after his success in Chicago.
• The Broncos selected Drew Lock in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft, signaling a potential long-term quarterback solution.
• After an injury to starter Joe Flacco, Lock made his NFL debut in Week 8 and started the final four games of the season.
• Denver’s defense ranked 7th in the NFL in points allowed per game (18.9), showcasing Fangio’s defensive impact.
• The team went 3–5 at home and 4–4 on the road, with losses to all three division rivals—Kansas City, Oakland, and Los Angeles Chargers.

Key Players and Roles

The 2019 Broncos roster featured a mix of veteran leadership and young talent, with a strong emphasis on defensive improvement. The front seven, in particular, received praise for its ability to pressure quarterbacks and stop the run.

• Joe Flacco was acquired via trade from Baltimore and started eight games before a season-ending hip injury in Week 8.
• Drew Lock threw for 1,020 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions in seven appearances, showing potential but also rookie growing pains.
• Von Miller recorded 9.5 sacks and remained the team’s defensive anchor, playing in all 16 games.
• Bradley Chubb, returning from 2018 injury, contributed 7.5 sacks in his sophomore season despite missing five games.
• Justin Simmons emerged as a top safety, recording 3 interceptions and 81 tackles in his fourth season.
• Phillip Lindsay rushed for 1,011 yards, becoming the first undrafted player in NFL history with over 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2019 Broncos compared to the rest of the AFC West and league averages across key statistical categories:

The Broncos’ defense was clearly above average, allowing the fewest points per game in the division. However, their offense ranked near the bottom in passing yards, reflecting struggles in the passing game under both Flacco and Lock. While they outperformed the Chargers and tied the Raiders in wins, they fell short of playoff contention due to inconsistent quarterback play and a weak finish.

Why It Matters

The 2019 season was a transitional year that laid the foundation for the Broncos’ future, particularly in quarterback development and defensive identity. Though they missed the playoffs, the emergence of Drew Lock and the strength of the defense provided hope for improvement.

• The hiring of Vic Fangio signaled a shift toward a disciplined, defense-first philosophy that would define the team’s direction.
• Drew Lock’s debut gave fans a glimpse of a potential franchise quarterback, despite his high interception rate.
• The defense allowed only 18.9 points per game, the best in the AFC West and seventh-best in the NFL.
• Denver’s third-place finish in the AFC West was an improvement over 2018, when they finished last.
• The season highlighted the need for offensive line upgrades and better weapons for the young quarterback.
• It marked the end of the Joe Flacco era in Denver, as he was released after one season.

The 2019 campaign ultimately served as a bridge between the post-Peyton Manning rebuild and a new era led by young talent and defensive strength.