When they won the Super Bowl three years ago, the Broncos allowed an NFL-low 283.3 yards per game. Last season, while stumbling to a 5-11 record, they gave up 290 yards per game, third-fewest in the league.

But this year’s offensive surge throughout the NFL has gobbled up the Broncos.

The Broncos’ defense ranks 25th in the NFL, allowing 389.3 yards per game. In the past two games, they allowed 479 yards to the Los Angeles Chargers and 527 to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

And they won both.

It marked the first time in 50 years the Broncos gave up 475-plus yards in back-to-back games.

“It’s all about offense and scoring and moving the football so defensively, we’ve got to be better, point blank,” safety Justin Simmons said.

But …

“In terms of turnovers and keeping them out of the end zone, I thought we did a great job,” Simmons said of the effort against Pittsburgh. (The Steelers scored 17 points).

And, as the Broncos hit the home stretch of their schedule, they are experiencing the new normal in the league.

Offenses will gain yards. But can the defense create a takeaway (or even a score) and make plays just outside or in the red zone?

In the Broncos’ five wins this season, they have 14 takeaways and opponents are 6 of 10 in the red zone. In their six losses, they have four takeaways and opponents are 14 of 24 in the red zone.

Against the Chargers, the Broncos forced two turnovers, including a Von Miller interception when Los Angeles led 19-7 and was driving for a put-away score. Related Articles Broncos Briefs: Phillip Lindsay doubtful to play Sunday, but progressing from toe injury

After Broncos let him walk in free agency, Tampa Bay’s Shaquil Barrett returns to Denver as one of NFL’s best pass-rushers

The next opportunity in Jeff Driskel’s winding football journey: Starting at quarterback for Broncos

Broncos rookie wideout KJ Hamler, fully healed from hamstring injury, poised for NFL breakout

🔊 Broncos podcast: Previewing Denver’s must-win Week 3 home showdown against Tampa Bay

Against the Steelers, the Broncos forced four turnovers, including one apiece at the goal line and in the end zone. Defensive tackle Shelby Harris’ interception with 1:03 remaining sealed the game.

“I mean, 1,000 yards in two weeks for our defense?” coach Vance Joseph said on Monday. “That’s tough. But 18.5 (points per game) and (six) takeaways? You’ve got to take it and be happy about it, I guess.”

Allowing this many yards is unfamiliar territory for the Broncos:

Back in 1968, the Chargers gained 496 yards in a 47-23 win and Oakland followed with 497 yards in a 33-27 win. The Broncos last allowed 475-plus yards in three consecutive games in 1964.

The Broncos allowed at least 475 yards in a victory for only the 10th time in team history. Pittsburgh’s yardage output was the most allowed in a Broncos win.

The Broncos improved to 10-30-1 in their history when allowing at least 475 yards.

The Broncos did not allow a 475-yard game from 1975-78, 1989-93, 2003-05, 2012-15 and 2017. They have three such games this year (the Jets gained 512 in Week 5).

The Broncos aren’t alone in seeing their defensive statistics pierced by elite passing games.

Through Week 13, there have been 22 500-yard games, matching the full-season total for 2014 and already more than 2015 (21), ’16 (19) and ’17 (17). Eleven teams, including the Broncos, are allowing at least 375 yards per game. Just four years ago, only five teams allowed that many yards per game.

Teams with terrific quarterbacks and receivers throw it all over the field. Pittsburgh threw on its first 10 plays and 31 of its 39 first-half snaps. Quarterbacks throw quickly to negate pass rushes and take advantage of soft coverage outside.

And rules like illegal contact, defensive holding and pass interference are always on the minds of cornerbacks, safeties and linebackers.

The Steelers went the death-by-a-thousand-paper-cuts route Sunday. Antonio Brown’s longest catch was 14 yards. JuJu Smith-Schuster’s 97-yard touchdown was Pittsburgh’s only play longer than 23 yards. Its longest rushing attempt was Ben Roethlisberger’s 12-yard scramble. But the Broncos defense bowed up to create the turnovers, which the offense turned into 14 points.

“If you can play great red-zone defense, hold them to field goals and take the ball away, that’s the key,” Joseph said. “The yardage, you have to kind of ignore it and that’s tough for us to do.”

BENDING, BUT NOT BREAKING

Sunday’s win over Pittsburgh was only the 10th time in Broncos history that they allowed at least 475 yards and won … and they did it for the second consecutive week. A game-by-game look: