ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- A look at the highs and lows of the first half of the season for the Denver Broncos and what to expect in the season’s second half:

Midseason MVP: There is still half of the story to tell, but the Broncos have arrived at the midway point in good standing in large part because of their defense. And that defense has elite edge rushers in Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware, it has top-tier play at linebacker in Brandon Marshall and Danny Trevathan, and its defensive line's do-it-all ability is routinely underrated. But it’s the ability to match up in man coverage in the secondary that allows the defense to do so many things to rattle opposing quarterbacks. So who wins the MVP? Cornerbacks Chris Harris Jr. and Aqib Talib -- three touchdowns between them -- would have split the award before Talib's loss of composure in the closing minutes of Sunday's loss in Indianapolis, so it's Harris.

Best moment: Tied at 24 with 35 seconds to play in Week 2, enveloped in the swirl of Arrowhead Stadium and with the Chiefs simply trying to get to overtime by handing the ball to Jamaal Charles, the ball was jarred loose from Charles by Marshall -- who has said he expects to need finger surgery following the season because of the hit -- and Bradley Roby scooped up the loose ball and ran it in from 21 yards out for the touchdown with 27 seconds to play. It gave the Broncos a 31-24 victory and was the second of four touchdowns the defense has scored already this season.

Worst moment: It is a testament to the kind of start the Broncos have had that their potential list of “worst" moments is not an extensive one. There are some Peyton Manning interceptions, some Demaryius Thomas drops and left tackle Ty Sambrailo's season-ending shoulder injury. But in a year when a smattering of ill-timed penalties have almost cost the Broncos a win or two, Talib's meltdown in Indianapolis is the low point. His jab of two fingers at Dwayne Allen's right eye not only cost the Broncos the chance to get the ball back with roughly two minutes remaining in the game, but also cost Manning a chance to set a career wins record as well as the career passing yards record -- Manning is 3 yards shy.

History in the making: Never, in the history of a franchise that has had seven Super Bowl trips, have the Broncos finished a season with the league’s No. 1 defense. The Broncos have finished second in total defense in 2012 and finished No. 3 in total defense in 1989 and 2014. After eight games this season the Broncos were ranked No. 1 in total defense, scoring defense, pass defense, sacks and tied for the league lead in forced fumbles.

Key to second half: This team is well on its way to clinching its fifth consecutive AFC West title and the playoff spot that comes with it. The key, beyond the always obvious stay-healthy requirement, will be for the offense to continue to grow and to reduce Manning’s interceptions. The Broncos had 14 giveaways in their first eight games and 13 of those were Manning interceptions. The defense is championship-worthy and even moderately better play on offense will keep the Broncos in the Super Bowl conversation. A significant step up by an offense that has started to find its way at the halfway point would make the Broncos the toughest out in the postseason bracket.