New England neutralized the duo during its last meeting with Denver but know that they'll have to step it up to have a repeat performance.
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller carries a ball during the team's NFL football practice, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012, in Englewood, Colo. The Broncos are scheduled to play the New England Patriots in an AFC divisional playoff game on Saturday, Jan. 14 in Foxborough, Mass. Miller injured his right thumb Nov. 27, 2011, during a game against the San Diego Chargers. FOXBOROUGH – It may not seem like it judging from the coverage, but the Denver Broncos are more than one-man ensemble.
Standing opposite of Tim Tebow on the defensive side of the ball is one of the most fearsome pass rushing duos in the NFL, a pair of that strikes fear in the heart of any quarterback, rookie linebacker Von Miller and defensive end Elvis Dumervil.
"The defense is solid, man," rookie running back Stevan Ridley said. "They're doing good things for them and I think that's what they don't really talk about that much. It's a lot about Tebow and not so much about the defense."
New England knows better.
Together, Miller and Dumervil combined for 21 sacks during the regular season and, with the help of defensive end Richard Ayers, Denver picked up five sacks last during its 29-23 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the wild-card round of the playoffs.
The Patriots did well to neutralize the pair when they last met in December by limiting the Broncos to two sacks and just six pressures on 36 dropbacks, but the offensive line knows it will have its hands full during Saturday's rematch at Gillette Stadium.
"They're a very talented group up front, they're all very active," offensive tackle Matt Light said. "It doesn't really matter what package they have in personnel-wise; they present a lot of problems for pretty much everyone that they've faced.
"I think that having a little bit of experience going through it – albeit it's going to be a different situation being at home now – having gone up against them and seeing some of the things they threw at us and some of the things they've done since then, we have a lot to work on. It will definitely be a big challenge for us."
New England has been forced to go to battle the last few weeks without tackle Sebastian Vollmer, who hasn't played since Week 12 due to back and foot injuries, and Logan Mankins, who was knocked out of action Week 16 with a knee injury.
Both have taken part in practices this week and could return Saturday, which would help the Patriots better combat whatever the Broncos throw at them.
If the last meeting is any indication, the entire line should receive plenty of exercise trying to combat Miller, who is often shifted from the outside to the inside in an attempt to generate more pressure on the interior, where having a healthy Mankins would pay dividends.
"It's a tough matchup for the inside guys, because they're not used to seeing that kind of spend and quickness inside the tackles," coach Bill Belichick said of Miller, who recently suffered a thumb injury but is expected to play Saturday. "Most of the time he's outside, but sometimes he's in there, sometimes he's off the ball. Dumervil is usually more constant (at defensive end)."
One of the other things that aided in the New England's success against Denver was utilizing tight end Rob Gronkowski as a blocker. Of his 76 snaps, more than half were spent blocking.
He predictably had one of his least productive games as a receiver (four catches for 53 yards) but Belichick lauded him for having one of his better performances of the season after the game.
"I think that's one of things that he's learned, it's not just X's and O's, it's who the guy actually is and how he would deal with a blocker like Rob," Belichick said of Gronkowski.
He'll likely be utilized in a similar role this week, and it's doubtful that quarterback Tom Brady will have any complaints about his favorite receiver being taken off the menu after Dumervil came off the line unimpeded and tagged him for one of the most vicious hits he's taken all season in their last meeting.
"Obviously Elvis and Von, they can play; they're very good players," Brady said. "I've had the opportunity to play against Elvis a number of times and he's a phenomenal player."
He also likely still has a few bruises to remind him of just how good he is.