NFL Denver Broncos

Von Miller Will be X-Factor For Denver Broncos in Week 9

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By @MWCompton

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Ron Chenoy-USA Today Sports

The sustained success of elite quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Tom Brady is awe-inspiring, but Sunday’s game pitting Manning’s Denver Broncos against Brady’s New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium is more than just a renewal of possibly the greatest quarterback rivalry in history. While straying from the obvious Manning vs. Brady narrative, the matchup—which promises to feature fireworks from both offenses—is likely to boil down to which teams’ defense is able to make the last stand.

The Broncos’ defense has proven ruthless in stuffing the run game of opposing offenses, and the primary reason is the play of linebacker Von Miller, who is the Broncos’ x-factor in Week 9. Named the AFC’s Defensive Player of the Month, Miller had 14 tackles, nine of them solo and seven sacks in October. He also has 15 quarterback hits.

Responsible for setting the edge along with DeMarcus Ware on the other side, Miller is one of the best edge-rushers in the NFL. The last time these two teams met, Miller recorded two sacks and returned a fumble for a touchdown. He will need a similarly disruptive performance on Sunday, moving Brady, the AFC’s Offensive Player of the Month, off his mark and creating chaos in the pocket. It’s no coincidence that the Patriots have put together a solid run of late with the offensive line keeping Brady upright and comfortable in the pocket. Over the last three games Brady has fired 12 touchdowns and no interceptions.

The Denver defense as a whole is playing at a high level and is the No. 1-ranked D against the run, allowing just 72.4 yards per game. The unit ranks fourth in yards allowed (315.3) and sixth in points (20.3). The Broncos have lost four straight in Foxborough, but they haven’t faced the Patriots with a defense as stout as the one they have now. Complementing Miller and Ware are former Patriot Aqib Talib, T.J. Ward and Rahim Moore.

While both well-coached offenses remain potent, Denver’s defense, with an array of ball-hawkers, is markedly improved. Miller, who is the heart of the Broncos’ defense, is clearly one of the league’s most dynamic defenders. He is surrounded by a team of playmakers that can bring it, shut down run games and slow passing attacks. If the Denver D can at least slow down the Patriots, force bad decisions and create turnovers, this installment of Manning vs. Brady—with all due respect—will be decided by the Broncos’ elite defense.

Michael Compton is a Jacksonville Jaguars writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter at @MWCompton and connect with him on Google.

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