FOXBORO, Mass. — The New England Patriots are going out of their way to prove they’re the masters of anti-bulletin-board material.
Vince Wilfork gave the Denver Broncos the ultimate form of praise Thursday, one day after Rob Gronkowski called them “the best team in the NFL right now.”
“When you draw up a perfect football team, you draw up the Denver Broncos all-around — special teams, offense and defense,” Wilfork said in the Patriots’ locker room. “They do a real good job of getting the ball back to their offense, and they do a real good job putting the ball in the end zone.
“We have to play well everywhere, not just in certain areas. It’s going to be the run game, it’s going to be the pass game, it’s going to be everything. We have to do a real good job because they’re great at everything.”
The Broncos, at 6-1, share the NFL’s best record with the Arizona Cardinals. Denver also ranks sixth in total offense (398.4 yards per game) and fourth in total defense (315.3), averages the most points per game (32) and allows the sixth-least (20.3).
Wilfork also expressed his admiration for Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning.
“They’re the best of the best, do everything well,” Wilfork said. “One of the best quarterbacks in history we’ve got to face. He doesn’t make it easy. He wants to make sure that they’re in the perfect play every snap. They’re so tough to defend. We have to play our A-plus game to be successful. Anything other than that, we’re going to have problems.”
Photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images
