Talanoa Hufanga is being called the “ultimate eraser” for a dominant Broncos defense.

Like on Thursday night, in a 10-7 home win over the Raiders, when Hufanga wiped away a promising Las Vegas scoring drive. The veteran safety crept toward the line of scrimmage on a fourth-and-5 play from near midfield. Hufanga exploded like a rocket when quarterback Geno Smith received the shotgun snap.

Hufanga bent the edge with speed, evaded running back Raheem Mostert in protection and sacked Smith for a loss of 9 yards and a turnover on downs. The Broncos turned their next possession into a touchdown drive that tied the game. The newcomer known by teammates as “Huff” made it possible.

“I’m just thankful to be a part of a great defense,” Hufanga said after the game.

Hufanga has flexed his speed, physicality and instincts in a variety of ways this season.

In Week 9, against the Texans, he recorded a career-high three run stuffs — tied for the most of any safety in a game this season, according to Next Gen Stats. Hufanga also adapted the violent, downhill playing style he developed with the 49ers to playing more man coverage under defensive coordinator Vance Joseph.

Hufanga has given up just 73 yards on 23 targets in coverage this season. His 0.1 yards allowed per coverage snap entering Week 10 ranked fewest among NFL players with at least 100 coverage snaps, per Next Gen Stats. Hufanga was also tied for the most passes defensed (eight) among safeties.

“He is the ultimate eraser of anything in the run game or pass game that kind of pops,” Joseph said last week after practice at Broncos Park. “That’s the mark of a good safety. He has great size and great range in both the run and pass game. He’s a guy who’s playing fast. … Those are special traits that the best guys have. He has those traits.”

The Broncos (8-2) sit atop the AFC West thanks to arguably the NFL’s top defense. Check the numbers. They entered the weekend ranked No. 2 in total defense (270.7 yards allowed per game) and No. 3 in scoring defense (17.3 points allowed per game). Denver also leads the NFL in sacks (46).

Is Hufanga surprised by that dominance since joining Denver in free agency?

“No. I’d seen how it was in training camp,” Hufanga said. “I saw our front seven and what they could do, and the back end and how they can cover. Defensively, we’ve just got to keep stepping up and doing our job. I didn’t like that they got seven (points) this week, if I’m being honest. We’ve got to hold these teams to more field goals.”

Hufanga is also a first-time team captain with the Broncos in his fifth NFL season. He displayed that leadership during Thursday night’s home game against the Raiders. It was a struggle.

Hufanga said: “I talked to the guys at halftime. Everybody.”

Denver rallied for a 10-7 victory.

“There is a physicality to him, and then there is a leadership skill set to him and an anticipation,” coach Sean Payton said last week after a practice at Broncos Park. “You guys have met him now and visited with him. He’s unique. He brings so much to the team aside from his skill set. Those are the players we are looking for, and we got a good one there.”

High expectations set by the Broncos’ defense are what Hufanga calls “the standard.” They’ve lived up to lofty goals in recent weeks to win seven consecutive games despite uneven offensive play. Hufanga said “we trust in these guys” to get things right ahead of Week 11 against the Chiefs.

Yet Hufanga proudly takes responsibility for the result of every game. The “ultimate eraser” is living up to his reputation.

“It starts defensively, because we’ve got to set the tone,” Hufanga said.