In Sunday’s 34-31 overtime win over the Denver Broncos, the Patriots played a sub defense (mostly a nickel) for all 90 snaps. This was a contrast from the prior week against the Carolina Panthers, when the team played a high total of snaps in base defense (42 of 58 snaps, including penalties, 72.4 percent). The reason is obvious: The Patriots were most concerned with the Broncos’ passing attack.