Denver Broncos

Tom Brady: Broncos defense is the 'best in the NFL'

Published Nov. 25, 2015 1:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

When the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots take the field on Sunday night, it won't be another memorable game between Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. Instead, it'll be round one of Brock Osweiler-Tom Brady.

That's not to say it won't be a great game. The Broncos are 8-2 and have one of the best defenses in the league, regardless of whether Manning is on the field or not. To Brady, they're actually the very best.

"This defense we're playing is the best in the NFL," Brady said of the Broncos.

That's not just Brady praising his opponent, either. They are the best defense in the league, and statistics show it. They're No. 1 in total yards allowed, and are best in the league in passing yards per game allowed. They're also the only team to record more sacks (34) than the Patriots (32).

It'll certainly be Brady and the Patriots' toughest test thus far as it won't be easy to get to 11-0. And although they won't have Julian Edelman, Nate Solder or Dion Lewis, the Patriots' offense is still one of the best. They're second in points per game (32.3) and have turned the ball over just eight times -- second-fewest in the NFL.

It's not the traditional powerhouse matchup between Brady and Manning, but there's still plenty of reason to be excited about this showdown between the league's elite on both sides of the ball.