Broncos defense forces Tom Brady into career-bad performance

The Denver Broncos defense put together a spectacular game on Sunday that forced Tom Brady into a career-bad performance.

For the first time in his career, Brady was held to a completion percentage under 50 and threw at least two interceptions in a game, ESPN said on Twitter. The Patriots quarterback’s final stats were 27-of-56 for 310 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. He was sacked four times for a loss of 18 yards, and his QB rating was 56.4.

Perhaps the most telling stat was that Denver’s defense registered 20 hits of Brady.

Von Miller was an absolute star in the game. He was credited with five tackles, 2.5 sacks, four QB hits and an interception in an eye-opening showing. Derek Wolfe had six tackles, a sack and four QB hits, while DeMarcus Ware was in Brady’s kitchen all game, registering seven QB hits.

Denver’s defense had Brady on his heels throughout the game. He rarely had more than a second or two before someone was in his face or pressuring him in the pocket. It just made him uncomfortable all game long.

Denver’s defense entered the game first in the NFL in yards allowed per game, sacks and forced fumbles. They were the only team in the league to allow fewer than 200 yards per game passing. They were nearly as stingy against the run, ranking third in the league.

The Broncos defense was elite all season, and they showed it on Sunday against the Patriots. Tom Brady was rattled all game long and it showed on the scoreboard.