Justin Tuck: Denver Broncos' defense is 'unbelievable'

No trio of teammates under the age of 25 ever posted more passing, rushing and receiving yards than Derek Carr, Latavius Murray and Amari Cooper recorded in Oakland's Week 3 victory at Cleveland.

Two weeks later, that young offensive firepower faces its stiffest test of the season against the Broncos' swarming defense.

"It's unbelievable," Raiders defensive end Justin Tuck said, via the San Francisco Chronicle, referring to Denver's latest incarnation of the "Orange Crush."

With new coordinator Wade Phillips dialing up timely blitzes, the Broncos rank first in total defense, pass defense, third-down defense and sacks.

In fact, Phillips' defense features 11 different players with a sack. Only six other teams have at least 11 sacks total.

The Broncos placed three defensive starters on Around The NFL's quarter-season All Pro team, headlined by bookend edge rushers DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller.

"There are guys you scheme for so that they don't wreck the whole game for you, and the Broncos have two in Ware and Miller," Raiders tight end Lee Smith explained. "If we have to put two people on one of them at times, whatever we have to do."

Ware (25) and Miller (24) lead the NFL in quarterback pressures (combined sacks, hits and hurries), per Pro Football Focus. That dynamic duo is backed up by a dominant run-blocking defensive line and a secondary that rivals the Jets, Seahawks and Cardinals as the league's stingiest.

If the Broncos are going to do serious damage in January, they will need their shut-down defense to compensate for a lagging offense that ranks an out-of-character 30th in Football Outsiders' efficiency ratings.