Denver’s defense achieved a significant milestone, and defensive coordinator Vance Joseph wanted to make sure his players understood it.

The Broncos have set the franchise record for most sacks in a single season with 58. They accomplished the feat after totaling seven sacks in their 30-24 overtime loss to the Bengals last week in Cincinnati. Denver’s sack total is a major improvement from 2023 when they had 42.

“This place has played great defense for a long time,” Joseph said Thursday. “I told the guys (there’s) been a lot of great rushers that have come through this organization, so to be the No. 1 unit who’s got 58 sacks, that’s special.”

Denver’s sack total surpassed the previous high of 57, which was set in 1984. The last time the Broncos recorded at least 50 sacks in a season was in 2015, the season they won Super Bowl 50. Denver had a league-high 52 sacks that season.

“It’s really amazing, knowing the type of guys we have,” outside linebacker Nik Bonitto said. “We have a (pass) rush plan each week and everybody sticks to it.”

The Broncos, ranked first in pressures (255) and third in pressure rate (37.2%), have seen a multitude of players contribute to their pass rush success. Denver has 14 players with a sack, including six players with at least five sacks.

Bonitto, a first-time Pro Bowl selection, has a team-best 11.5. Fellow outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper is not too far behind with 9.5. Defensive tackle Zach Allen has been one of the best interior pass rushers in the league with 8.5 sacks and 65 pressures.

First-year edge rushers Jonah Elliss and Dondrea Tillman have totaled five sacks each.

“It’s awesome to do,” said Elliss, a 2024 third-round pick. “(Joseph’s) scheme focuses on penetrating the line of scrimmage, so you’re getting off the ball and running. That has helped me play more freely.”

Joseph defends Moss after rough performance>> Joseph doesn’t want cornerback Riley Moss to dwell on his rough performance against the Bengals, in which he gave up a season-high 11 catches for 125 yards on 14 targets.

“You are an NFL corner. It’s gonna happen,” Joseph said. “I have to help him more, but that’s the league playing opposite of (cornerback) Pat Surtain II.”

In Moss’ first game back since missing three due to an MCL injury, he was picked apart by quarterback Joe Burrow and wideout Tee Higgins. The veteran wide receiver Higgins had seven catches for 101 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning reception, against Moss, according to NFL’s Next Gen Stats.

Through 13 games, Moss has given up 60 catches for 720 yards on 92 targets — fifth-most in the league.

Joseph has praised Moss for his competitiveness throughout his sophomore season, calling the former Iowa standout “the toughest guy on defense.” He has admired how Moss embraced the challenge of receiving a ton of targets due to opposing quarterbacks avoiding Surtain, who was named to his third Pro Bowl in four years.

“When something doesn’t go his way, he bounces back,” Joseph said. “He’s going to have a great career. That happens to all corners. That group last week was special.”

Surtain, Cooper acknowledged by Denver PFWA chapter>> Surtain isn’t just a Pro Bowl starter for the second time in his career. Thursday he also was named the Demaryius Thomas Team MVP by the Denver chapter of the Pro Football Writers Association.

Surtain is no stranger to PFWA recognition. He’s made the Pro Bowl three straight times, and he’s won the team MVP from local reporters who cover the team on a daily basis three straight times, as well.

Bonitto, like Surtain a starter for the AFC in this year’s Pro Bowl Games, also received consideration from reporters for team MVP.

Outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper, meanwhile, earned the Darrent Williams Good Guy Award from local reporters. The award, in a nod to the late Broncos defensive back, is given to a player who emulates Williams’ enthusiasm and honesty and who is consistently cooperative with local reporters.

Locke gets courage award>> Broncos safety P.J. Locke on Thursday was given the team’s Ed Block Courage Award.

The award, voted on by teammates, is given to a player each year who exemplifies the principles of sportsmanship.

Locke stepped into a full-time starting role this year and played through much of the season with a broken thumb that required surgery, cost him a pair of games and meant he had to play with a cast on his hand for several weeks.

In his first season as a full-time starter, Locke has recorded a career-high 76 tackles and has formed a quality pairing with Brandon Jones in Denver’s secondary.

Injury report>> Everyone was a full participant at Broncos’ practice on Thursday except for rookie offensive tackle Frank Crum. He was absent for the second straight day due to an illness.