NFL PREVIEW Tonight's game

NEW ENGLAND (6-2) at DENVER (5-3)
Time: 9 p.m.
TV/radio: WYTV (33), WEWS (5), WTAE (4), WBBW-AM (1240).
Series history: Broncos lead 23-14. Last meeting: Broncos beat Patriots 24-16 on Oct. 27, 2002, at New England.
Last week: Patriots beat Browns 9-3. Broncos lost to Ravens 26-6.
Rankings: Patriots -- Offense (overall 20, rush 16, pass 19); Defense (overall 14, rush 4, pass 23); Broncos -- Offense (overall 15, rush 3, pass 24); Defense (overall 2, rush 10, pass 5).
Key matchup: Patriots QB Tom Brady vs. Broncos' pass rush. Brady has thrown eight TD passes and seven INTs in 2003. He has been sacked 17 times, tied for seventh most in NFL. Broncos allow only 171.9 yards passing per game and have sacked opposing QBs 21 times, tied for fourth in league. Broncos are only team that has three players with five or more sacks: DE Bert Berry (seven), DE Trevor Pryce (five) and DE Reggie Hayward (five).
Streaks, stats and notes: Clubs meet for ninth consecutive season, longest active streak between non-division rivals. ... Broncos are 16-5 in games following loss since 2000. ... Patriots' defense has not allowed first-quarter TD in seven consecutive weeks. ... Broncos have won 12 of last 14 against Patriots. ... Broncos K Jason Elam ranks second in NFL with 70 points, having made 19 of 19 PATs and 17 of 18 FGs attempted.