ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — While Denver’s defense has showed stretches of impressive play through the early weeks of 2025, Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph believes there’s a clear area for improvement.

And as the Broncos approach a pivotal “Monday Night Football” matchup with the Bengals, Joseph has delivered a consistent message to his unit.

“We are playing hard, we’re playing good football, I think, overall,” Joseph said Friday. “But we’re not playing clean [enough] or smart enough football.”

The Broncos’ defense has made big stops in each of the last two weeks, but both the Colts and Chargers recorded game-winning field-goal drives in the final moments. While Joseph said Denver needs to finish games better, he believes playing that cleaner and smarter brand of football can prevent those end-of-game scenarios from occurring as often.

“I think for us, obviously, finishing better is key,” Joseph said. “Me coaching better in the fourth quarters is key. I think for us, overall, just playing a cleaner and smarter brand of football. The penalties on defense concern me, and they’re happening in the biggest moments of the game.

“I think part of us finishing is playing a cleaner brand of football for four quarters, and some of these games wouldn’t even come down to that. But when they do, we have to obviously make the plays to win the games. That’s been the conversation. But it’s more about the big picture about playing a cleaner and smarter brand of football for four quarters vs. waiting for the last series of the game to make our plays.”

Against the Chargers, three defensive penalties on the Broncos helped Los Angeles to a field goal in the third quarter. Later, an unnecessary roughness call pushed the ball down the field on the Chargers’ tying touchdown drive.

From a macro perspective, Joseph said he believes the Broncos “are definitely close to being where we want to be” as a defense. The veteran coordinator said the first month of the season can help evaluate the strengths of both individual players and the unit, and he thinks Denver is continuing to work toward its potential.

For the Broncos to get there, Joseph will continue to emphasize a singular message.

“I feel good about where we are,” Joseph said. “My focus all week has been to coach and to teach a smarter and cleaner brand of football. That’s our focus right now. If we can do that, we’ll be fine.”