The Denver Broncos' defense once again helped keep a game under wraps, this time against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 7. Not only did the Broncos hold the Cardinals to 1-of-5 in the red zone, they also terrorized Arizona quarterback Jacoby Brissett throughout the game, sacking him three times, and had a total of 13 quarterback hits during the game.
On the individual front, Broncos pass-rusher Nik Bonitto was one of the more influential players on defense, having himself an incredible game. On 26 rushes, Bonitto generated a career-high 13 pressures in Week 7, hitting Brissett once during the contest. It was the most pressures by any player since San Francisco 49ers pass rusher Nick Bosa had 14 pressures against the Seattle Seahawks in 2024, per NFL Next Gen Stats.
Nik Bonitto generated a career-high 13 pressures in Week 7 against the Cardinals, the most pressures by any player since Nick Bosa in Week 6, 2024 (14).
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) October 25, 2026
Bonitto recorded 12 of his pressures across 27 matchups against Cardinals LT Jayden Williams.#DENvsAZ | #BroncosCountrypic.twitter.com/B1o0MY8my6
Bonitto almost certainly benefitted from the return of teammate Jonathon Cooper from the commissioner's exempt list, and All-Pro Zach Allen having a monster game in his return to Arizona. Although Bonitto did not record a sack, his pressuring of Brissett helped lead to a 45.3 QBR and a 56 percent completion rate.
Bonitto, who just missed out on an All-Pro nod in 2025, is looking to build on a career-best year last fall and is second on the team with 3.5 sacks through seven weeks. Up next, the Broncos will look to Bonitto, Cooper and Allen to put the pressure on Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in a critical Week 8 matchup in the Mile High City.
The winner of Week 8 will have the leg up on the other in the race for the division crown, and a higher seed in the playoffs. It could very well mean the difference between going on the road in the playoffs, or hosting a playoff game in January.
Let's hope they can keep Mahomes uncomfortable and unsettled in the week ahead.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Broncos OLB Nik Bonitto generated incredible pressure stats vs. Cardinals