Greg A. Bedard examines the coaches tape from Sunday and has a lingering concern about the secondary, especially with Peyton Manning and the Broncos coming to town.

There was some good in there with cornerback Devin McCourty’s two interceptions, safety Tavon Wilson’s gift-wrapped pick from Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, and all-around solid play from No. 2 cornerback Kyle Arrington.

Besides that, the Patriots internally have to be doubling up efforts to get things corrected in the secondary because the sub packages on defense are ripe for exposure by the right quarterback and team.

It can’t be sitting well with coach Bill Belichick that his defense, despite having more talent and time in the system for some players this season, is still giving up way too many explosive plays: seven of more than 20 yards (accounting for 56 percent of Buffalo’s 438 yards), and another nine for more than 10 yards.

Karen Guregian reports Devin McCourty isn't concerned with critics putting him under the microscope. He's "just trying to progress, get better every week."

"It’s similar going into it mentally and playing Tom (Brady in practice). You gotta try to be on point every single snap," McCourty said.

"That’s the biggest thing I take at practice playing against Tom. Playing against Peyton is similar. The few times we were off a little bit (during the game my rookie year), he took advantage. It’s not like you got the play off. He saw it. He got the ball there. It’s tough mentally and physically going against quarterbacks of that caliber."

TEAM TALK

• Game Preview: New England Patriots vs. Denver Broncos.
• The PFW Staff takes a second look at Danny Woodhead's big play at a critical point in Sunday's win.
• Patriots QB Tom Brady and RB Brandon Bolden have been nominated for the FedEx Player of the Week for NFL week 4.
• Erik Scalavino tackles the Ask PFW Mailbag: Rushing to their defense.
• Patriots close September with another household TV Rating of over 30 in the Boston Market.
• Patriots to promote breast cancer awareness at this Sunday's home game.
• Conference Call Transcripts: Josh McDaniels - Matt Patricia - Bill Belichick.
• Patriots Today - Getting set for Broncos week. (2.27 min. video)
• Patriots Today - That's a wrap on Buffalo. (3.55 min. video)
• Patriots Today - Patriots reaction on WEEI. (4.09 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

• Mary Paoletti reports the Patriots will sign Bobby Carpenter to add depth to their LBs with rookie Dont'a Hightower bothered by a hamstring.
• Greg A. Bedard believes the outcome of this Sunday's game could be determined by the Denver defense, and whether it improved from last year.
• Tom E. Curran says it's no small matter to see Dan Koppen returning to Foxboro this week as center for the Broncos.
• Field Yates notes Wes Welker says there's no added juice with Peyton in town, in an interview with Mike & Mike on ESPN Radio.
• Karen Guregian notes Rob Gronkowski will be playing his brother Chris's team Sunday.
• Mike Reiss shares some leftover Patriots thoughts. Some interesting tidbits here.
• Mary Paoletti says it's undeniable Brandon Spikes can be an impact player, but he just needs to be more consistent in his efforts.
• Paul Kenyon follows Brandon Bolden as he takes a path similar to BenJarvus Green-Ellis on his way to playing in the NFL.
• Karen Guregian notes Zoltan Mesko and Devin McCourty spent their day off with North Attleboro middle schoolers as part of a reading program.
• Tom E. Curran takes us through all sorts of interesting statistical tidbits through the season's first quarter. Conclusion: Patriots aren't that bad.
• Mike Reiss looks at where the Patriots rank in key statistical categories after Week 4, and compares them with the Broncos.
• Christopher Price charts the target breakdown for the passing game through Week 4.
• Christopher Price tallies which of the offensive skill position players are getting the most looks.
• Christopher Price tells us which defenders have done the best job of getting after the QB so far.
• Christopher Price tracks Patriots penalties for the season.
• Mike Reiss answers his weekly reader mailbag. Patriots still have nagging concerns.
• Greg Bedard and Jermaine Wiggins explain why the Patriots were able to run the ball so well vs. the Bills. (2.49 min. video)
• Christopher Price picks the 10 best undrafted free agents in recent Patriots history.
• Tom E. Curran previews "Cleveland '95: A Football Life", airing tonight, that promises to be as interesting as the Belichick documentary.
• Karen Guregian Patriots Notebook: Zoltan Mesko is sticking by Stephen Gostkowski and says the kicker has his confidence; Matt Patricia sees the same old Peyton when he looks at film of him with the Broncos; Josh McDaniels says Brandon Bolden earned his opportunities Sunday and made the most of them; Daniel Fells made his presence felt in Buffalo, mostly as a blocker to protect Tom Brady or spring Bolden and Ridley; Pats had a 41-36 run-to-pass ratio Sunday.
• Mike Reiss tells us how former Patriots are doing with their new teams through Week 4.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Eric Edholm (Pro Football Weekly) Brady-Manning rematch highlights action.
• Darin Gantt (ProFootballTalk) Dan Koppen's used to snapping to the best.
• Around the League (NFL.com) Kurt Warner: Who will thrive when Peyton faces Brady? (4.29 min. video)
• Jason Whitlock (Fox Sports) Peyton's performance: Fool's gold.
• Kareem Copeland (NFL.com) Wes Welker amused by Tom Brady's potty mouth.
• Kevin Fishbain (Pro Football Weekly) Rookie Meter. Chandler Jones makes the list and Brandon Bolden gets a mention.
• Jerry Sullivan (Buffalo Bills) Many RBs escape obscurity against Bills. Welcome to the NFL Brandon Bolden.
• E:60 (ESPN) Shopping with Gronk. (1.34 min. video)
• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Dolphins sign Jabar Gaffney, cut Legedu Naanee.
• Adam Schein (NFL.com) At 2-2, Packers, Pats headed for playoffs; Cowboys, Bills are not.
• Peter King (SI) MMQB Tuesday edition; Mail.

VIEW FROM DENVER

• Lindsay H. Jones (Denver Post) Denver Broncos eyeing ... the New England Patriots.
• Jeff Legwold (Denver Post) Broncos have big job Sunday with Patriots offense running full tilt.
• NFL Network (DenverBroncos.com) Broncos vs. Patriots Movie Trailer (1.17 min. video) Cool.
  
• Lindsay H. Jones (Denver Post) Broncos' Dan Koppen takes over at center for injured J.D. Walton.