DENVER — While the orange-towel waving, foot-stomping Broncos fans reached a frenzied sonic level that, according to the Jumbotron, eclipsed 116 decibels at times, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady mostly heard the charging footsteps of the Denver pass rush in today's 20-18 AFC Championship Game loss.
Broncos rushers Von Miller, DeMarcus Ware, Malik Jackson and Derek Wolfe were ear-splitting and then, eventually, head-splitting as they barreled past Brady's offensive linemen time and again, pounding the Pats quarterback into the turf.
Brady threw 56 passes and was sacked four times in the loss at Mile High today. There were 20 quarterback hits credited to the Broncos, meaning at least a third of Brady’s dropbacks ended in painful blows from one of the most feared front sevens in football.