With the speed of a defensive back and the power of a defensive lineman, Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller displays a rare athleticism that allows him to consistently take over games and make the “wow” plays that cause opposing offensive linemen to cringe while watching film.

Miller befuddled the Colts’ offensive linemen with three sacks Sunday, tying a career high that he reached twice in 2012. After dominating the 2015 playoffs and earning Super Bowl MVP honors, Miller’s position as one of the best defensive players in the NFL has been solidified.

Broncos defensive coordinator Wade Phillips said Miller’s next goal is to be the defensive player of the year. Take a closer look at Miller’s athleticism, moves and production, and he seems to be on track to be one of the NFL’s all-time great pass rushers.

“He’s been wreaking havoc on this league since he came in, but he’s been doing it in spurts,” Broncos Ring of Fame safety John Lynch said. “He finally figured out in the postseason, ‘Wow, I can be even more dominant when I just turn it on all the time.’

“Watch out league. If he continues and trusts that when I’m tired, coaches will take me out, he’s like Lawrence Taylor, that good.”

Taylor, considered by some as the most dominant pass rusher of all time, had 142 sacks while playing for the New York Giants from 1981-93. Taylor and Miller share a similar size at 6-foot-3 and between 235 and 250 pounds. Taylor had 71 sacks in his first six seasons, or half of his career total, including 9.5 sacks as a rookie before sacks were kept as an official stat.

Through a little more than five seasons, Miller has 64 career sacks, sixth in Broncos’ franchise history and one away from the top five. Over Miller’s past four games, including the playoffs, he has nine sacks, an interception, three forced fumbles,10 quarterback hits and four tackles for loss. He’s on pace to easily surpass Taylor’s 71 sacks through six seasons.

“He’s as good as I’ve ever seen,” said Broncos coach Gary Kubiak, who has been around the NFL as a player and coach since 1983.

Miller uses film to study opponents’ tendencies and has developed a variety of pass-rushing moves that he relies upon in crucial situations. Sunday, he took or helped take down Colts quarterback Andrew Luck four times for three sacks.

On half a sack early in the second quarter, he used a power chuck that sent 6-7, 325-pound Indianapolis right tackle Joe Reitz back three feet, clearing the way for Miller to engulf Luck. Later in the quarter, he got another half sack with a power rush, this time driving Reitz back several yards to meet Luck at his spot and bring him down.

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Late in the fourth quarter, Miller took on solo missions. With Luck attempting to lead one of his signature fourth-quarter comebacks, Miller dashed all the Colts’ hope. He attacked Reitz with a straight-line rush, then unleashed a wicked left step and blew past Reitz, using his left hand to slap the ball out of Luck’s right hand. Outside linebacker Shane Ray scooped up the loose ball and returned it 15 yards for a touchdown with 1:42 left to put the game away.

Miller shed a block from Colts tight end Dwayne Allen and Reitz to take down Luck for his third and final sack to end the game.

“Von Miller: The most unblockable dude in the game,” running back C.J. Anderson said after the game. “99 on Madden. 99 swim mode. 99 spin mode. 99 across the board for that kid.”

Miller is not much of a fan of current player comparisons, but he’s humbled when mentioned with the likes of Taylor and his favorite pass rusher ever, Derrick Thomas. Miller borrows from their games but hopes to blaze his own trail. He gets joy from his sacks.

“That’s why I dance and do all the other crazy stuff that I do when I get to the quarterback,” he said. “That’s what we live for. I’m a pass rusher, and whenever you go out there, do your job. That’s what Mr. (John) Elway brought me into this organization to do, and it feels great to live up to it.”

Most career sacks in Broncos’ history

1. Simon Fletcher, 97.5, 1985-95

2. Karl Mecklenburg, 79, 1983-94

3. Barney Chavous, 75, 1973-85

4. Rulon Jones, 73.5, 1980-88

5. Lyle Alzado, 64.5, 1971-78

6. Von Miller, 64, 2011-present

6. Trevor Pryce, 64, 1997-2005

8. Elvis Dumervil, 63.5, 2006-12

9. Paul Smith, 55.5, 1968-78

10. Tom Jackson, 44, 1973-86

Source: Broncos

Cameron Wolfe, The Denver Post