I think we feel vindicated. During the regular season, the Broncos ranked only 26th in pass defense, allowing 228 yards per game. But defensive coordinator Greg Robinson, quick to defend his players, said the stats were grossly misleading, not at all indicative of the secondary's season. They've played well. They've given up yardage late in ballgames.
People have a tendency to just read statistics.
They don't really tell you that when games are on the line, our guys came up big. After the game, Broncos defensive coordinator Greg Robinson said the defensive game plan was for the Broncos to keep everything in front of them. Robinson knew the Falcons got their big plays off the play-action pass, and he wanted to keep the safeties to play deep, keep the play in front of them and not give up the big plays. Mirroring the Falcons' speedy receiving tandem of Tony Martin and Terance Mathis all over the field, Denver's defensive backs continually stalled the Falcons' red-zone opportunities and set up the Broncos' potent offense with favorable field position. Chandler completed 19 of 35 passes for 219 yards and one touchdown, but most of his yards came in the fourth quarter, when Denver had as much as a 25-point lead.