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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Tom Bradys ageless performances have carried the Patriots this season.But in a game where he and the offense struggled, New Englands 16-3 win over the Broncos Sunday featured the kind of defensive effort that should make the newly-crowned AFC East champs a much tougher out in the upcoming playoffs.The Patriots defense more than filled in the gaps as Brady was held to a season-low 188 passing yards, without a touchdown pass for only the second time in 2016.New Englands defense looked more physically imposing than the Broncos, which came in with the NFLs third-ranked defense. The Patriots held the Broncos offense without a touchdown and forced two turnovers.They also did it in a bruising style that had previously only shown up in flickers. It included four sacks on Denver quarterback Trevor Siemian and several more big hits on his receivers. The biggest -- and loudest -- example might have been a drive-ending blow delivered by Patriots safety Devin McCourty in the fourth quarter, dislodging a pass to Demaryius Thomas.You could just tell guys were talking and communicating, McCourty said. Were trying to get to offenses the best we can, so when we go out here on Sundays we can just fly around. ...They made a couple of plays and then we make a big play.It might have also been the most emphatic example that the Patriots defense can not only survive, but thrive following the trades defensive end Chandler Jones and linebacker Jamie Collins.Cornerback Logan Ryan, who had his first interception of the season Sunday, attributed the success to everyone remaining as loose as possible on the field.Were getting after the quarterback, were playing great defense, guys are feeding off of each other, were joking a lot and guys are just having fun playing ball right now so its working, he said. Plus, we were doubted all year. ... We heard about (the Broncos) secondary and their defense so we wanted to come out here and prove something.Underestimated or not, everything has flowed together at the right time for Ryan and his teammates.The defensive line is getting consistent production from Trey Flowers and Malcom Brown. Its exactly what the coaching staff hoped to see with Flowers healthy after being limited to just one game during his rookie season.Flowers finished with two sacks Sunday to bring his season total to seven. Brown had one sack Sunday, increasing his total to three in 2016.Each week is different. Different offensive lineman, different sets, different schemes as far as defense, you just got to get to them when you can, Flowers said. Obviously Im not the one looking at sack numbers, its more about pressuring the quarterback. Its having him looking at the rush instead of looking down field. Anytime we can flush the quarterback and get his line rattled a bit, is big.Flowers said nobody in the Patriots locker room is dwelling on locking up the division title.Obviously we worked hard for it and we earned it, he said. But we still got a job to do so well continue to work for our ultimate goal.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow Kyle Hightower on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/khightower C.J. Gardner-Johnson Jersey . -- The plastic that was taped across the lockers in Oaklands clubhouse came down and the champagne that was on ice went back into the cooler. Chris Banjo Jersey . Anthony Calvillo, through 20 CFL seasons, was frequently invincible and largely stoic in the heat of competition. But underneath the professional exterior he was, and is, compellingly human. http://www.cheapsaintsjerseyselite.com/?tag=cheap-nate-wozniak-jersey . Supported by three-run homers from Jayson Werth and Wilson Ramos, the young right-hander went seven strong innings in the Washington Nationals 8-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night. Cyril Grayson Jr. Jersey . Thousands of Southern California fans enveloped the Trojans to celebrate an improbable win secured by an interim coach, an inconsistent kicker and a thin defence that wouldnt break. Michael Burton Jersey .com) - The women will also have a new champion at the Australian Open. OXON HILL, Md. -- Catcher Jeff Mathis and the Arizona Diamondbacks have finalized a $4 million, two-year contract.The 33-year-old, a 12-year major league veteran, played the last four seasons as the No. 2 catcher for the Miami Marlins. He hit .238 in 41 games this year with two home runs and 15 RBI. Mathis could back up or platoon with Chris Herrmann.Were getting a plus defender, game-caller and teammate, new general manager Mike Hazen said in a statement Monday.dddddddddddd. His veteran leadership on and off the field will be very valuable to the development of the young core of our club.Arizona also said Tuesday it hired former pitcher Dan Haren as pitching strategist, tasked to work with the front office, coaching staff, and analytics department.