ENGLEWOOD — A silver lining from the Broncos 0-2 start to this season is strong special teams play.

Specifically, their punt coverage.

Denver enters Week 3 at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers leading the NFL with seven downed inside the 20-yard line. It helps that punter Riley Dixon also leads the league in attempts (14). The Broncos are still making the most of it — flipping the field-position battle and pinning their opponents deep.

Dixon is averaging 50.3 yards per attempt with supreme accuracy.

“I would say (Dixon) is doing a really good job so far this year. All striking numbers back that up,” special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica said Thursday after practice at Broncos Park. “We’ve had some good coverage, too. (There is a) handful of things we still need to work on there, but I like where he’s at so far. Just excited about where he’s going to go from here.”

Cornerback Tremon Smith is another key piece to making it happen. He is a gunner on coverage teams.

“It starts with our core. We do a good job of protecting Riley back there,” Smith told The Denver Gazette. “Riley is just booming them. He’s hitting them pretty good right now. That’s our thing as gunners to cover. Just getting down the field and be fast as possible.”

Smith showcased his skills with an athletic punt save in Week 1 at the Seahawks. The seventh-year NFL pro caught it in stride near the Seahawks goal line, jumped into the air, and shoveled the football back to safety JL Skinner at the 1-yard line.

It later resulted in a Seahawks safety.

“First and foremost, it’s whether you’re defeating a double team or a single team, beating that opponent,” Smith said. “After that, it’s relying on my kicker or punter. Then it’s really just ball skill and awareness. Knowing where you’re at on the field. Not being too aggressive, but at the same time, being aggressive.”

Smith has NFL experience as a return specialist. In 2021, he brought back a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown with the Texans. Smith has also taken running back reps over his career. That versatility is what makes him a special teams weapon in Denver.

Smith is hopeful it translates to more opportunities on the field.

“Yes, absolutely. That’s the final goal, whether it’s to play defense or offense,” Smith said “I’m open to both. That’s the big thing for me.”

Kicker Will Lutz has also had a strong start to the season making all five of his field-goal attempts (long of 45 yards).