ENGLEWOOD – In the opener two weeks ago, all the talk about the Broncos having the best defense in the NFL looked legitimate. In a 20-12 win over Tennessee, they held the Titans to a meager 133 yards and led the NFL in total defense after Week 1. 

Suddenly, though, the talk looks a bit hollow. The Broncos gave up a whopping 473 yards in a 29-28 loss last Sunday at Indianapolis in Week 2. 

“We know we’re the best defense in the league when we’re on our stuff,’’ Broncos outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper told The Denver Gazette. “So, it’s just getting back to doing that.” 

The Broncos will next try to do their stuff Sunday at SoFi Stadium against the Los Angeles Chargers, who have a top-notch offense. After all, they feature quarterback Justin Herbert, whom Denver defensive coordinator Vance Joseph called “probably the MVP” after the first two weeks of the season. 

Making corrections on defense was a point of emphasis for the Broncos throughout the week. And head coach Sean Payton said after Friday’s final practice of the week at Broncos Park that all went well. 

“We all look at as teachers, how we can clean some things up,’’ Payton said. “The player with a clear head and knowing exactly what to do plays faster. And then our job is to make sure we don’t slow them down before the snap. So, I thought we had a good week.” 

Payton lamented earlier in the week how the Colts averaged 9.8 yards on first downs. Cooper said that is one of the things the Broncos are looking to correct against the Chargers. 

“Just a multitude of reasons,’’ Cooper said. “Us not winning first downs, us not getting off the field on third down. Us giving up explosives.” 

One of the explosives was a 68-yard run in the fourth quarter by Jonathan Taylor that came after nose tackle D.J. Jones missed a tackle in the backfield. Missed tackles were a big problem against the Colts. 

“I missed a couple of them and the D-line, we all missed a few,’’ said defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers. “Obviously, we didn’t do enough last week. It’s not up to our standards.” 

Linebacker Alex Singleton figures there is no better time for the defense to regain its groove than on Sunday. The Broncos (1-1) would grab a share of first place in the AFC West with a win over the Chargers (2-0), but a loss would drop them two games behind. 

“It’s a division game, knowing you have to win division games,’’ Singleton said. “They’re not must-wins, but they’re need-to-wins. … We’re really focusing on the details, knowing every little thing.” 

The Chargers swept the Broncos last season when head coach Jim Harbaugh was in his first season, and they look to be better this season. They defeated nine-time defending AFC West and three-time defending AFC champion Kansas City 27-21 in Week 1 in Brazil. Then they won 20-9 last Monday at Las Vegas. 

The Chargers haven’t done a lot on the ground, with their two running backs, rookie Omarion Hampton and veteran Najee Harris, having just 72 and 33 yards, respectively. But Herbert has thrown for 560 yards with five touchdown passes and no interceptions for a sparkling passer rating of 127.8. 

Herbert has spread the ball around well to Quentin Johnston, who has eight catches for 150 yards and three touchdowns, Keenan Allen, with 12 receptions for 129 yards and two touchdowns, and Ladd McConkey, with 11 grabs for 122 yards. 

“He’s a special athlete,’’ Joseph said of Herbert. “He’s playing at a high level right now. … He is accurate. … Keeps drives alive (with his legs). … How we rush this guy is going to be key. How we cover the receiving targets and make him throw the ball is also going to be key. It’s a combination of rush and coverage to contain (Herbert).” 

Denver had six sacks in the opener against the Titans but just one against the Colts. And after giving up the fourth-most yards in a game in Payton’s three Broncos seasons, they are now No. 12 in the NFL in total defense. 

“It’s still early in the season,’’ said outside linebacker Nik Bonitto. “Honestly, we want to be really good right now, but we don’t want to peak at the beginning neither and then kind of slow down. We want to continuously try to get better and being able to peak at our best toward midseason and just continue to grow after that.” 

Bonitto was informed of Cooper saying the Broncos have the NFL’s best defense when “on our stuff.” 

“I agree, if we’re doing the things we’re supposed to be doing,’’ he said. 

Find out Sunday if that is the case for the Broncos.