Denver Native (Carol)
11-06-2014, 10:06 PM
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- A defense that ranks second in yardage allowed per play and pass play and third in yards per rush would seem to be in need if little more than a maintenance tweak here or there.
But after the Patriots gashed the Broncos for 398 yards -- the most allowed since Week 1 -- and kept them off balance with quick snaps that often came with 20 to 25 seconds remaining on the play clock, Week 10 became a time for candid reflection.
That New England pushed the tempo Sunday came as no surprise. In three regular-season games against the Broncos since 2012, the Patriots averaged 78.3 snaps per 60 minutes, well above the average of 64.2 offensive plays per 60 minutes for all other opponents in that time frame.
rest - plus videos - http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Defense-aims-to-fix-communication-issues/a829d1b3-ce73-46b5-a619-1add76bceb4b
But after the Patriots gashed the Broncos for 398 yards -- the most allowed since Week 1 -- and kept them off balance with quick snaps that often came with 20 to 25 seconds remaining on the play clock, Week 10 became a time for candid reflection.
That New England pushed the tempo Sunday came as no surprise. In three regular-season games against the Broncos since 2012, the Patriots averaged 78.3 snaps per 60 minutes, well above the average of 64.2 offensive plays per 60 minutes for all other opponents in that time frame.
rest - plus videos - http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Defense-aims-to-fix-communication-issues/a829d1b3-ce73-46b5-a619-1add76bceb4b