Denver defense taking aim at No. 1
Never. That’s howmany times in 24 years a Wade Phillipscoordinated defense has allowed the NFL’s fewest yards for an entire season. His units boast six top- five finishes, among them No. 2 rankings byNewOrleans in 1983 and byHouston in 2011. ADenver defense has never accomplished the feat.
The Broncos will enter Sunday on the league’s top perch. It would take a catastrophic performance to prevent them from finishing first. Denver is allowing280.9 yards per game ( 4,213 overall). Seattle ranks second at 295.7 per game ( 4,436 overall). Denver also has a chance to become the first team since the 1991 Philadelphia Eagles to lead the NFL in pass, run and total defense.
“When we went into the year we set all of our goals to be in the top five, but when I talked to them first I told them I wanted them to be the best,” Phillips said. “If we finish strong like we can, we could accomplish a lot of statistical goals that no other team here or a lot of places have.”
Denver’s defense has an outside chance of claiming its first scoring title since 1989. It sits fourth at 18.4. The Bengals, who have allowed 13 fewer points overall, remain the pace car ( 17.5).
Green update.
Tight end Virgil Green assumed a bigger role in the Cincinnati game Monday because of his familiaritywith the hurryup attack. He played 21 snaps, compared with Vernon Davis’ six. Green has struggled, at times, to find his niche this season.
“I feel like I am a decent tight end in this league, and I should be out there more,” he said. “I try not to pay attention to that because I can get a little frustrated. I don’t like to deal with negative energy. I focus on the positive, and the positive is when ( No.) 85 gets called I need to make a big play to keep stacking on my résumé what I am capable of doing.”
Green has a three- year contractworth $ 8.4 million. He loves to block in the run game, but it leaves him fighting a typecast. He has only 11 receptions for 159 yards and a touchdown.
“I like to make an impact any way I can,” Green said, “but I like it tobe a bitmore in the passing game because people are like, ‘ Oh, this guy can really catch.’ I think I have dropped one ball in my career here.”
Ware
it
well.
DeMarcus Ware’s long road back from a back injury is nearly complete. Phillips said Ware’s Thursday practice reminded him of the playerwho led the league in sacks for the first quarter of the season.
“Just little, small things of just bending around the corner, having that pop,” Ware said. “I feel really good.”
Footnotes.
Omar Bolden’s sore hamstring continues to improve. He could provide a jolt in the Broncos’ puntand kickoff- return game. “Going into the season, I thought he was our best special- teams player. He’s missed quite a bit. Hopefully we can get him back,” said special- teams coach JoeDeCamillis. ... Max Garcia remains the starter at left guard, but Evan Mathis is expected to receive increased playing time.