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ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - If the Denver Broncos are to disrupt Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in Sunday's AFC Championship Game, they must get the inside pass rush going. It doesn't matter if that is accomplished by moving Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware over the A-gaps from time to time or supplementing their three-technique defensive ends with blitzes from inside linebackers Brandon Marshall and Danny Trevathan.
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"A lot of quarterbacks don't like pressure up the middle, so it's one of those things that you just have to keep doing that we've been doing all year," said defensive end Malik Jackson. "We have a great rotation, me, [DE Derek] Wolfe, [NT Sylvester] 'Sly' [Williams], [DE] Antonio [Smith] and [DE] Vance Walker.
"It's just a nice little rotation with everybody being fresh, trying to put pressure on them and run to the ball and make tackles."
Against the Steelers on Sunday, Wolfe and Smith provided two of the Broncos' three sacks. In the Week 12 win over New England, Wolfe and Walker had sacks from the inside.
Denver's three-technique ends have combined for 17 sacks over the course of the season -- an average of one per game.
"In my experience over the years, yeah, the quickest way to the quarterback is an inside guy winning," said Smith. "It's not as common as outside rushers winning, but if an inside guy wins or even gets pressure pushing the pocket back, that stops quarterbacks -- stops him from being able to step up and really follow through his throws."
--When the Broncos met the Patriots in Week 12, Denver did not have to contend with wide receiver Julian Edelman, which allowed the defense to focus more on covering All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski.
Sunday, Denver will not have that luxury.
"We wouldn't want it any other way," linebacker Von Miller said. "That's the beauty of playing in the National Football League. You have great players going against other great players."
But they will have to face them with a hindered Chris Harris Jr. The second-team All-Pro struggled in his first game back from a shoulder injury, and allowed four receptions for 70 yards Sunday.
"I have to alter my game and how I play. I've got to figure out a way," Harris said.
Harris said he considered taking himself out of the game, but instead worked only in the team's dime sub package. Harris didn't want to admit that the shoulder felt worse after the game.
"I'll definitely be in treatment all week, studying all week, doing whatever I can to come out and make an impact next week," Harris said. "I'm pretty banged up; I can't lie."
--Outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware bounced back from a knee injury with a sack and a fumble recovery. Ware played with no restrictions after being eased back into work during the playoff bye. He was in the right place at the right time for the second time in three games, recovering a fumble to set the offense up for its game-winning touchdown drive. Ware also had the game-sealing fumble recovery against Cincinnati in Week 16.
--Safety Darian Stewart had no issues with his hamstring after missing most of the regular-season finale and a week of practice to allow the injury to heal.
--Cornerback Chris Harris Jr. played through a left shoulder injury, but was limited to 47 snaps and struggled. He said he was basically playing the game with one arm, but he still expects to play next week.
--Returner/safety Omar Bolden's star-crossed season is over after he suffered a torn posterior cruciate ligament in the first quarter Sunday. Bolden returned after missing four games because of a hamstring injury and set up the Broncos' first points with a 42-yard punt return, but fell to the ground with the knee injury while covering a punt later in the quarter.
--Quarterback Peyton Manning emerged none the worse for the wear in his first full game back since he exacerbated a plantar fascia injury in November. Manning went 21-of-37 for 222 yards, but was plagued by seven drops.
--Inside linebacker Danny Trevathan led the defense with nine tackles, including one for a loss. Trevathan helped limit Steelers running backs to just 45 yards on 17 carries.
