clarinews@clarinet.com (01/18/90)
DENVER (UPI) -- If the team with the best defense wins the Super Bowl, the Denver Broncos will be champions in two weeks, Denver defensive coordinator Wade Phillips says. While Phillips admits the Broncos will have problems with the league's hottest quarterback in New Orleans Jan. 28, he says San Francisco's Joe Montana will have his own problems with one of the NFL's best pass defenses. ``I know they've got a great offense,'' Phillips said. ``It will be a real challenge to slow them down, but we can make some plays. The good thing we've got going is, I think we've got the best defensive team. The Broncos made three interceptions and held Cleveland to 66 yards rushing in a 37-21 victory in last weekend's AFC championship game. During the regular season, the Broncos ranked third against the pass and third overall among defenses. Phillips' unit now has to accomplish what no one else has been able to do in the playoffs -- stop the 49ers' passing attack. In two playoff games, Montana has completed nearly 80 percent of his passes for 503 yards and six touchdowns. He has not been intercepted or sacked. ``Their whole passing game is a problem,'' Phillips said. ``But we're still the best team left, pass defense-wise. I played against them twice a year when we were with the Saints, so I know a little bit about their offense. We had some success against them.'' Phillips said the key to stopping the 49ers' passing is a good pass rush. Defensive ends Ron Holmes and Alphonso Carreker and linebackers Simon Fletcher and Karl Mecklenburg will have to pressure Montana. ``It forces Montana to make decisions a little quicker,'' Phillips said. ``He's quick at making the decisions and he makes a lot of right decisions. But it forces him to try to scramble or do things he doesn't want to do. ``He wants to get back there and set up, and if it's not there, go to the second receiver. If that's not there, go to the third receiver. We've got to find a way to put some pressure on him.'' Montana's two main receiving weapons are Jerry Rice and John Taylor. ``They're going to complete some passes,'' Phillips said. ``The guy's hit 70 percent of his passes. What we haven't done, knock on wood, is given up very many big plays. They'll dink you to death. You've just got to be patient. ``We've got a chance. I think our guys believe they can win. That's a lot of the deal.''