I’m a nerd. I like looking over statistics to look for trends and possible stories. Here are some of my observations from reviewing the Broncos’ stat sheet from last year and this September. Yahoo sorts its NFL stats by year, week, and month. I wanted to look at stats after the first three games, but I couldn’t find a web site that does that, so I picked the next best thing.

• Last year Denver’s defense ranked 26th in passing yards allowed per game and 27th in rushing yards allowed per game. This year Denver ranks second in passing yards allowed and seventh in rushing yards allowed. Denver also ranks first in points allowed per game, first in total yards allowed per game, tied for fifth in interceptions, tied for eighth in forced fumbles, and tied for first in sacks.
• Can you name Denver’s leading rusher last year? You might know it was Peyton Hillis, but did you know he ran for only 343 yards, which ranked 57th in the league. In fact, 21 legitimate backups and one QB ran for more yards. Hillis averaged 28.6 yards per game.
• This season, Correll Buckhalter is ranked ninth in yards rushing (230) ahead of Michael Turner (226), Marion Barber (203), and Brandon Jacobs (196). Ironically, just behind Buckhalter is Mike Bell, a former Broncos RB, with 229 yards.
• Tony Scheffler ranked eighth in the NFL last year in TE yards receiving. He had more yards in 13 games than John Carlson (Seattle), Greg Olsen (Chicago), and  Todd Heap (Baltimore) did in 16 games. Through three games this season, Scheffler has three receptions for 45 yards and one touchdown.
• Last year Eddie Royal ranked sixth in the NFL with 91 catches. Through four games and the month of September last year, Royal had 27 catches. This year he has six receptions for 42 yards no touchdowns in three games. Randy Moss leads the league with 26 catches.
• So far this season Kyle Orton has a better QB rating (91.2) than Ben Roethlisberger (88.5), Mark Sanchez (87.7), Jay Cutler(86.2), Philip Rivers (85.1), and Matt Cassel (84.8). Orton has yet to throw an interception (knock on wood).
• Denver does not have a player ranked in the top 30 for kickoff return yardage. Eddie Royal leads the team with three returns for 64 yards. The league leader is Darren Sproles with 359 yards. Royal ranks 17th in punt return yardage (38) and 15th in average yard per punt return (7.6). Cincinnati’s Quan Crosby leads the league in yardage (180) and the Eagles’ DeSean Jackson leads in average yards per return (22.2).

So the stats show exactly where the Broncos are. Very good defense, and an offense that’s done enough to win, but is struggling in some areas.