Stubborn Brandon Browner Helping Lift Patriots Defense

Brandon Browner stalks his opponent on the field like a boxer in the ring. Body blow follows body blow, with questionable locations forcing the referee to intervene on a few occasions. As his faster opponent grows weary from Browner's constant physical barrage, his will begins to wane.

Browner feeds on the elixir of watching his opponent crumble. He had the opportunity to do just that as he and teammate Darrelle Revis pounded the Denver Broncos into submission with a 43-21 knockout punch. One of the players laying on the mat at the end of the game was Demaryius Thomas, who pulled himself up from eight snaps, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), looking physically spent.

While Bill Belichick and the Patriots coaching staff couldn't have enjoyed seeing Browner get called for three penalties on the day, Revis said—via Phil Perry of CSNNE.com—that defenders can't be too worried about guys in black and white:

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[The new rules] can be tough, but at the same time, you just gotta go out there and play. I feel like as a defense we can't control that, We still gotta go out there and play, play aggressive. We're still gonna try to be in your face, we're still going to try to jam you, and do the things that we do because we feel that being physical brings us success.

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That stubborn refusal to change the way he plays has proven to be effective for Browner. While referees have their point of emphasis in calling the game close, Browner knows that he can get away with some bumps here and there. His physical play has seemed to lift the Patriots defense to a new level.

Browner—via Anthony Gulizia of the The Boston Globe—talked about what he tries to do on the field:

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I’m just trying to be the attitude. I’m just trying to spark a flame under some of the guys by the way I play. That goes a long way. Just like when I’m on the sidelines and I watch Gronk make a big play and he spikes the ball, I feel that energy. I’m just trying to be that guy on the defensive side of the ball.

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In addition to energy, Browner's ability to jam and reroute receivers has been key to keeping powerful receivers such as Thomas, Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery under wraps. Peyton Manning and Jay Cutler were only 4-of-9 when targeting the aforementioned receivers with Browner in coverage, according to PFF.

As the Patriots look at the next stretch of their schedule, it is clear that Browner will need to stay on top of his game. Reggie Wayne and the Indianapolis Colts are up next on the schedule, while Calvin Johnson Jr. of the Detroit Lions and the entire Green Bay Packers receiving corps follow that matchup. Keenan Allen and the San Diego Chargers offer no rest as the brutal four-game stretch concludes.

Nine rounds into the season and the Patriots have won seven. With Browner in their "corner," look for New England to get another title shot this coming February.