NFL PREVIEW Tonight’s game

DENVER at NEW ENGLAND

Kickoff: 8:30 p.m.

TV: ESPN

Opening line: Patriots by 3. Record vs. spread: Denver 1-4-1; New England 2-3-0.

Series record: Broncos lead 26-15-0. Last meeting: Broncos 17, Patriots 7, Sept. 24, 2006.

Notebook: Denver’s Brandon Marshall leads NFL with 43 catches; rookie teammate Eddie Royal is tied for 11th with 30. ... Broncos won first three games, scoring at least 34 points in each, but had fewer than 20 in each of two losses. ... Denver has second-ranked pass offense in the NFL and lowest-ranked pass defense. ... Broncos lead AFC West by one game over San Diego. ... Denver has allowed two sacks in six games; New England’s defense has seven sacks in five games. ... Denver is 9-2 against teams coached by Bill Belichick, 4-0 when he was with Cleveland and 5-2 with New England. ... New England is averaging 19.8 points per game after setting single-season record last year with average of 36.8. ... Matt Cassel is averaging 182 yards passing since Tom Brady suffered season-ending knee injury in opener. ... Patriots have losing records at Gillette Stadium against just two teams: Denver (0-2) and Green Bay (0-1). ... Sammy Morris’ 169 yards rushing are fewest by any player who leads his team this season. ... Patriots returned home after splitting two games on West Coast, beating San Francisco and losing to San Diego. They practiced at San Jose State between the games. ... Rookie LB Jerod Mayo leads Patriots with 26 unassisted tackles.

Associated Press