The jumped out to an early 24-0 lead and staved off a late comeback attempt to beat the , , in Sunday night's season opener. Our takeaways:Going back Albert Okwuegbunam Jersey to last year's playoffs, the ' defense has allowed an average of 39 points and 431 yards in the last three games. Armed with ample salary cap space, general manager Ryan Grigson hasn't fixed the problems that have dogged this team for two years now. They lack backbone on defense, struggle to keep the heat off in the pocket and can't find a consistent ground attack. Indianapolis is strong enough to win a weak division, but the roster has too many holes to Shelby Harris Jersey hang with a contender like Denver.The are still the cla s of the AFC, thanks in large part to an overhauled defense. Big-ticket free-agent signings (1.5 sacks) and (three pa ses defensed) came up with key plays, and got contributions from a entire troupe of players (, , , and ) who weren't on the active roster during the run. The generated a combined 27 sacks, quarterback hits, tackles for lo s and pa ses defensed compared to 12 for the ' defense.One positive note for the : looked like his old self in his first game back from ACL surgery, hauling John Elway Jersey in a team-high nine receptions for 98 yards on 13 targets. managed just one more rushing yard (20) than Luck. The want to hang their hat on a power-run game, but they -- quite understandably -- don't trust Richardson to move the chains. The coaching staff has a dilemma, as is the more effective player in a body that can't hold up to the pounding of a featured-back role. The have a similar predicament at tight end, where is simply a better player than , who is afforded Jacob Tamme Jersey more opportunities in the pa sing game.Memo to defensive coordinators: Linebackers don't have a prayer against . The ' athletic tight end hauled in a trio of touchdown Bradley Chubb Jersey pa ses in a dominant second quarter.With out of the lineup, and split time in the slot while worked out wide. Rookie is not in the rotation. Sanders has played better in the preseason and Sunday night than he ever did in Pittsburgh. He's the ideal fit for 's offense.The latest covers the ' and action.