FOXBORO -- Tom Brady often is pointed to as one of the best field generals when it comes to the two-minute offense.

But when it comes to the two-minute defense, there's no team better than the one Brady lines up against every day in practice.

Already on pace to set a franchise record for fewest points allowed in a 16-game season and among the league leaders in several categories statistically, the New England defense has given up just 16 points in two minute situations -- the final two minutes of each half -- through 14 games this year.

Even more impressive, those 16 points all have come in the closing minutes of the first half, with the Dolphins (twice) and Colts kicking field goals and the Broncos' Jake Plummer and Javon Walker hooking up on a 32-yard touchdown pass with a little less than a minute to go in the second quarter of their game against the Pats.

Perhaps not surprisingly, New England coach Bill Belichick said the team practices its two-minute defense at least once a week, on Fridays, but often on Thursdays and sometimes even on Wednesdays, as well.

One of Belichick's favorite terms is preparation, and being prepared is a big reason for his team's success in the two-minute defense.

"Number one, it's knowing what the situation is and playing to the situation. That's very important," said Belichick. "Sometimes they're looking for big chunks of yardage; sometimes they really don't have to do it that way (because) they have enough timeouts or field position. Most teams have kind of a standard grouping of plays that they run when their 'hurry up' is at the line, and being able to defend those plays properly and get matched up on them correctly whatever the coverage or defense you're playing, that's an important part of it."

Belichick added that communication also is important in the situation to ensure that all 11 players are on the same page.

But his players had different ideas on what makes the two-minute defense work.

Safety Artrell Hawkins credited the defensive line and linebackers, while linebacker Rosevelt Colvin gave props to the secondary.

"A good front seven," Hawkins said. "That's really it. We have a good front seven, and they play aggressively. They're able to create pressure and get in a quarterback's face. I think when you have a good front seven, you have a good defense, in general, and you're able to make a lot of different things happen. Two-minute situations are just one facet of that. They do a lot of good stuff. I think our front seven is one of the best in the league."

On the other side of the locker room, Colvin said, "Asante (Samuel), Artrell, James (Sanders), Chad (Scott), Ellis (Hobbs) and now Ray (Mickens) do a great job with coverage. You have to have guys who can get to the quarterback and guys that can cover.

"It's like Artrell said a couple of weeks ago: football is a game of inches. You're either a half-inch from getting a strip sack or a half-inch from giving up a 30-yard touchdown. Those guys do a great job covering."

If the defensive backs are maintaining good coverage, Colvin added, it might make the passer hold onto the ball that much longer, giving the front seven that much more time to make a play, whether it be a sack or a chance to bat down a desperation pass.

Linebacker Tully Banta-Cain gave an answer that Belichick most likely will be proud of:

"Emphasizing it in practice so you're aware of the situation if it comes up, what things the other team does," he said. "Just being aware of the situation and practicing it well in practice."

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