FOXBORO — 

We all know, or at least are getting familiar with, Tim Tebow magic, mania, magnetism — whatever you want to call it — and all of these fascinating fourth-quarter comebacks that he has fueled in recent weeks.

But Denver’s defense has been as big a reason for the Broncos’ current six-game winning streak as anyone or anything.

Sure, the unit ranks in the middle-to-bottom of the league in the four main defensive categories (total, pass and rush defense and points allowed), but it has shown great improvement over the second half of the season.

The Broncos allowed an average of almost 29 points in their first seven games. They’re giving up only 17 over the last six. They’ve gotten stingier in the total and pass defense categories as well.

“It’s a fast defense overall,” Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien said. “We’re going to have to do a good job, especially early in the game of getting used to the speed of the game. It’s a real challenge, especially on the road with the crowd noise and all those different things that will go into the game plan.”

Of course, the Patriots have scored at least 31 points in each of their last five games — all wins — and continue to be one of the top offensive teams in the league.

“When you’ve got No. 12 (Tom Brady) operating it, you’re going to be pretty successful,” Denver coach John Fox said. “That’s no different this year than in years past.”

Up front, defensive tackles Marcus Thomas and Brodrick Bunkley have helped the Broncos limit opposing rushers to 4 yards a carry and have allowed just six rushing touchdowns.

Sensational rookie linebacker Von Miller and defensive end Elvis Dumervil have been tremendous rushing the passer — the Broncos are tied for fourth in the league with 37 sacks — and Denver, with its heavy blitz scheme, obviously wants to get after Brady.

Miller and Dumervil have combined for 18 sacks and both rank in the top 20 in the league in that category.

Dumervil, who missed all of 2010 with a pectoral injury, picked up where he left off in 2009 when he led the NFL with 17 sacks. Miller, the second overall pick in April’s draft, has burst on the scene and his 11.5 sacks are tied for the most by a rookie in Broncos history. Getting after the quarterback isn’t all he’s good at.

“He’s very quick and athletic,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said, “but he’s got good power and he’s a really strong player, too. You can’t just sit back and wait for him to make some kind of athletic move. He’ll run them over. He’s very good in pursuit. He makes a lot of plays downfield after the ball is thrown. He’ll chase a guy down and try to strip the ball as he’s tackling them. He’s not out of a lot of plays.”

Belichick said veterans Champ Bailey and Brian Dawkins have hardly lost a step in the secondary.

Bailey, who has earned 10 Pro Bowl selections in his 13 seasons, has a pair of interceptions on the year and his 50 career interceptions rank first among active cornerbacks.

Dawkins, in his 16th season, has seven passes defensed, a forced fumble and 48 tackles. Denver’s strong safety returned to practice yesterday after missing Wednesday’s session because of a neck injury suffered early in last week’s game against the Bears.

Denver’s other starting corner, Andre Goodman, also returned to practice yesterday. He sat out Wednesday because of a concussion, also suffered in the Bears game. Goodman has one of three Broncos interceptions returned for touchdowns this season. Before this year, Denver had gone four seasons (2007-10) without an interception returned for a TD.

“Goodman and Bailey do a nice job outside,” Belichick said, “and Dawkins is smart, anticipates well, gets a good jump on plays, as do Goodman and Bailey. They’re savvy players. They have a lot of experience and they take advantage of it.”

ENGLEWOOD — Rookie pass-rusher Von Miller is itching to give a helping hand to the Denver Broncos’ playoff push even if that means playing with a cumbersome cast protecting his surgically repaired right thumb.

“I’ve just got to block it out,” Miller said. “I went in there on a couple plays today and stuck it in there. It didn’t feel too bad. I’m feeling pretty confident about everything.”

Miller is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game at Minnesota after practicing Friday for the first time this week. He wore a hard cast that goes up to his forearm and covers his thumb but leaves his fingers exposed.

“It’s different, but it’s still not going to change the way I play the game,” Miller said. “I’m still going to have fanatical effort and pursuit to the ball.”

He downplayed any effect it might have on his tackling: “It’s not bad, and I put my body on guys. I don’t like to drag them down. It’s different but it’s not a huge difference.”

Coach John Fox said Miller’s status will be determined before kickoff, same with that of receiver-returner Eddie Royal (toe). Both got hurt at San Diego last weekend.

Miller, who was named the NFL’s Rookie of the Month after helping the Broncos go 4-0 in November for the first time since 2000, got hurt in the fourth quarter but stayed in after getting taped up and helped the Broncos win in overtime to complete an unprecedented November road sweep of their AFC West rivals.

“Adrenaline was pumping and the game was so close I didn’t even let it factor into whether I was going to play or not,” Miller said. “I wanted to go out there in overtime. I hurt it the second (to last) play of regulation, before overtime. I went to overtime and just blocked it out.”

On Monday, Miller told reporters the injury wasn’t serious but he later learned he had torn ligaments and needed surgery.

“It was surprising. I haven’t really had too many injuries like that,” Miller said. “It’s part of the game. And you’re going to have to play through injury and pain in this game. And if I have to go out there and play in pain, that’s what I’ll do.”

He missed the first two days of workouts this week, leading to speculation the Broncos might choose to play it safe with their prized rookie with games against Chicago and New England on tap.

If they sit Miller on Sunday, veteran linebacker Mario Haggan will take his place.

“I have full faith in our athletic training staff,” Miller said. “I’ve taken all the steps possible to play in this game. I’m still preparing. I’ve done everything all this week like I was. It’s up to the training staff. I know they have my best interests at heart.”

His teammates want him on the field. Miller and Elvis Dumervil make up a potent 1-2 pass rushing duo, but Dumervil won’t be as effective without his sidekick commanding extra attention.

“It’s very important,” co-captain Champ Bailey said of Miller’s availability. “He’s a big part of what we do. We do a lot of things for him to make sure he gets his looks. So to have him out there Sunday is huge for us.”

Miller, the former Texas A&M star who was the second overall pick in the draft, has 57 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 21 quarterback hits, four pass breakups and two forced fumbles.

His 10½ sacks are one shy of Rulon Jones’ team record set in 1980 and four shy of Jevon Kearse’s NFL rookie record set in 1999.

Miller has another reason for wanting to play Sunday: he wants to see how he matches up with Minnesota’s premiere pass rusher, Jared Allen.

“I’ve always been a big fan of Jared Allen and his rodeo sack dance,” Miller said. “It will be disappointing if I can’t go out there and play like he plays.”

Allen said he admires Miller’s game, too.

“That 3-4, kind of hybrid linebacker position fits him well,” Allen said. “He’s athletic enough to get around just about anybody. So, the dude is having a heck of a year.”

Notable

Vikings running back Adrian Peterson will miss Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos with a high ankle sprain, and receiver Percy Harvin is listed as questionable with an illness. Both players missed Friday’s practice. Peterson hasn’t practiced since sustaining the injury against Oakland in Week 10.

Read More: Elvis Dumervil (DE – DEN), Von Miller (LB – DEN), Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos defense had been turning a corner the last several weeks with outstanding play. Opposing teams scored 15 or less on the Broncos’ defense in four out of the last six games. The Detroit Lions and the Oakland Raiders were the two aberrations (well, at least that’s what they look like now), scoring 45 and 24 points, respectively.

NumberFire projects the Broncos’ defense to score 8.00 points this week and to be the No. 10 defense on Sunday. The No. 1 defense, the San Francisco 49ers, are projected to have 10.80 points. But the Broncos might be in for a downgrade if rookie linebacker Von Miller is unable to play with a surgically repaired thumb. The team is projected for 2.96 sacks, but if Miller is out the team might not be able to reach three sacks. Elvis Dumervil has been playing better of late, gaining at least half of a sack in each of his last four games. But Miller is the motor that makes the defense run properly.

For more on the Broncos, be sure to check out Mile High Report. For additional fantasy roster advice and help, head over to SB Nation Fantasy or ask @sbnationfantasy on Twitter.

Read More: Tim Tebow (QB – DEN), Von Miller (LB – DEN), Denver Broncos

Fueling the rise of the Denver Broncos more than quarterback Tim Tebow has been the defense, led by rookie linebacker Von Miller. Yahoo! Fantasy Football players are also feeling this new Broncos defense, making the team the No. 2 most added fantasy entity on Wednesday with 53,126 adds. Only 987 players have dropped this defense.

Since coming off a bye in Week 6, the Broncos’ defense has allowed 15 points or less to their opponent in four out of six games. The Miami Dolphins, the Kansas City Chiefs, the New York Jets and the San Diego Chargers have all been victims of this outstanding defense.

Miller has 10.5 sacks this season, and Elvis Dumervil has at least half of a sack in each of his last four games. This defense will face the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, a team that averages just under 20 points per game and has rookie Christian Ponder leading the offense. If Adrian Peterson is unable to go this week, the Broncos’ defense will look even better.

For more on the Broncos, be sure to check out Mile High Report. For additional fantasy roster advice and help, head over to SB Nation Fantasy or ask @sbnationfantasy on Twitter.