ANALYSIS

DENVER -- The big news from the inactives announcement is that Jerod Mayo is active for the first time since the season-opener Sept. 14.

That move likely coincides with the team's decision to deactivate nose tackle Terdell Sands, leaving them with just five true defensive linemen -- Ty Warren, Jarvis Green, Vince Wilfork, Mike Wright and Myron Pryor.-

The Patriots can supplement the line with Tully Banta-Cain and Derrick Burgess who are hybrid defensive ends/outside linebackers. That could signal the Patriots plan to employ more of a 3-4 type look.

The other big news is that wide receiver Joey Galloway is a healthy scratch for the second straight week, as instead of going with five wide receivers, the Patriots elected to have Michael Matthews active as a third tight end.

Galloway's days in New England could be numbered.

It's also interesting that with safety James Sanders (shoulder) out the Patriots still deactivated cornerback Terrence Wheatley, leaving them with four cornerbacks (Leigh Bodden, Shawn Springs, Jonathan Wilhite and Darius Butler).

That might limit the team's abilities to use Springs as a third safety when or if they put safety Brandon McGowan down in the box in sub-packages as they have the last three weeks.

That would mean that rookie safety Patrick Chung could see his most extensive action on the defensive side of the season thus far.