For Broncos head coach Sean Payton, it’s no secret that defenses led by New England coach Bill Belichick are good at eliminating an opponent’s best offensive weapon.
Payton saw it first hand when he was coaching the New Orleans Saints in 2013. Tight end Jimmy Graham was arguably one of the best pass catchers in the league that year, finishing with 1,215 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns. But against New England, Graham was shadowed by former cornerback Aquib Talib and ended up being a non-factor.
“This was when Jimmy Graham was really having a breakout-type season and there goes Talib everywhere Jimmy was, jamming him at the line of scrimmage,” Payton said.