Denver Broncos defensive end DeMarcus Ware feels that his side need to up the level of their game when they come up against the better teams of the NFL.

The Broncos lost for the second time this season as they were hammered 43-21 by the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium, and as a result they lost control of the number one seed in the AFC.

Ware told reporters: "Sometimes you need that gut check to make sure you stay on track and how you need to be playing. At the end of the day, you have to take it as that, and take it as a loss.

"We didn't play a bad game, but we know that there's another level that we have to get to, to win games like this.

"Guys were in place to make plays, but you have to make those plays in key situations- especially on third down, getting off the field."

The Broncos face the Oakland Raiders in their week nine clash.