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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 Swell Water Bottle Wholesale . After a first half in which he thought "the lid was on the basket," the Toronto Raptors coach watched his squad mount a second half surge to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 98-91. Swell Bottles Sale . Bryzgalov stopped 25 shots on Saturday in the Oklahoma City Barons 4-1 victory over the Abbotsford Heat. The Oilers signed Bryzgalov to a one-year $2 million contract last Friday after shedding payroll by dealing defenceman Ladislav Smid to the Flames. http://www.swellwaterbottlesale.com/ .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. sWell Marble Water Bottle . -- The Bishops Gaiters are showing they belong among the countrys top varsity football teams. sWell Traveler Bottle Sale .ca NHL Power Rankings for the second straight week, ahead of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Colorado Avalanche. CONWAY, S.C. -- Elijah Wilson drilled 4 of 6 from long range, hitting 8 of 12 from the floor, for 22 points as Coastal Carolina held off a late North Carolina Central charge for a 70-67 win on Saturday night.Trailing 66-56, North Carolina Centrals Dajuan Graff nailed a 3 and Patrick Cole made four free throws to close to 66-63 with 34 seconds left. The Chanticleers made four free throws in the final 19 seconds to seal the win.Jaylen Shaw had 15 points while dishing out five assists and Josh CColeman made all six field goal attempts for 12 points for Coastal Carolina (5-6).ddddddddddddThe Chanticleers were 27 of 61 (44.3 percent) from the floor while holding NCCU to 21-of-62 (33.9 percent) shooting. Coastal won the rebound battle 46-31.Patrick Cole led NCCU (6-4) with 28 points, hitting 5 of 11 from beyond the arc, and Rashaun Madison added 18 points. ' ' '