Broncos vs Patriots pregame chatter. Broncos 3.5pt favorites (1 Viewer)

[JIslander]

Am I the only who who really doesn't think this game will be close? Denver is better in almost every facet of the game. The only thing NE has going for them is Home field and coach. Denver 35-20.

Really? Even depleted I think NE has the better defense.

I expect differing opinions, but yes, in my opinion, I'd take Denver's over New England. They struggle to stop the run, that's what really separates them in my mind. I think Denver has the advantage in pass rush, but it's closer and I think due to the ability to stop the run and the pass rush they are better at stopping the pass too. I think one can argue that New England has the better secondary on a talent level, but as a unit, I'd take Denver.

PFF agrees with me... Denver ranked 3rd best Defense overall (score of 50.4). New England 16th (-1.5 score). They have Denver ranked better in every defensive facet except for Penalties.

Everytime NE has played Manning the game plan has been make them run the ball, and more often then not it was directly responsible for Manning losing.

Okay. Not sure what that has to do with anything, considering it was the past. In this game...the Denver Run game versus the New England run defense I think is a huge advantage to Denver.

I'm not a Bronco fan nor a Patriot fan. In my eyes this game isn't close and wanted to know if I was missing something other than blind homerism (on either side, not saying you're doing it)

yeah, I'm with ya on this (and not Bronco or Pat fan)-- In my eyes, Pats have been declining, but have been able to stay afloat with soft schedule/weak division in recent years. Manning had his tough test this year AT Seattle and came through quite well even w/o win. So, I don't think this will phase him like some would think, not with that talent he has around him. I don't think this game will be close.

 

[wilked]

Bad news for Peyton

http://nesn.com/2014/10/broncos-patriots-weather-forecast-40-percent-chance-of-snow-for-sundays-game/

 

[devouredbychaos]

Bad news for Peyton

http://nesn.com/2014/10/broncos-patriots-weather-forecast-40-percent-chance-of-snow-for-sundays-game/

Did you even read the first post on this thread?

 

[Ghost Rider]

That's why "almost always" is better to use than "always."

Besides, Manning has done pretty well against the Patriots overall since the 2004 divisional round loss.

Not really. Brady is 6-5 vs Manning since that loss. It's close, but Brady still has the edge.

Doing well does not always equal winning, and vice versa. For example, Alex Smith played well in the playoff game vs Indy last year, but lost.

In games against NE since 2004, Manning has a TD-INt ratio of 24-10. That's not doing well? I guess by Peyton's all-time great standards, it's not, but it's still pretty damn great.

 

[Run It Up]

That's why "almost always" is better to use than "always."

Besides, Manning has done pretty well against the Patriots overall since the 2004 divisional round loss.

Not really. Brady is 6-5 vs Manning since that loss. It's close, but Brady still has the edge.

Doing well does not always equal winning, and vice versa. For example, Alex Smith played well in the playoff game vs Indy last year, but lost.

In games against NE since 2004, Manning has a TD-INt ratio of 24-10. That's not doing well? I guess by Peyton's all-time great standards, it's not, but it's still pretty damn great.

Well it would be unfair to compare him against other QBs instead of himself lol.

 

[Hoss Style]

Well, the best news for the Broncos is the starting RB got hurt. The running game has markedly improved. I'm not sure if stats bear this out, but if you watch the games, then you see it.

I like Revis, but don't know if he can handle Thomas. Any Revis fans know how he's done against really big WRs? I'm in a spot where I can't look up the stats. I tend to like our WR core against NE's D. Welker hasn't been utilized much lately, but I see him getting more work this game with the DB matchups.

I think Denver can stop NE's run, and Gray is nothing special for the Pats, so Vereen gets more work (good for us fantasy owners). As a Vareen owner I have tried to watch him as much as possible, and he's a dynamic player when he gets going. Belichick hasn't used him as much as many would like so far this year, but I think he gets a larger role this game. I think covering him out of the backfield will be a key for the Broncos.

Also, LaFell worries me - I never thought I'd say that, having watched him in Carolina. But Brady seems to really like him, and LaFell is better than I thought he was now that he has an accurate QB.

I hate when the Broncos play in Foxboro. That place is creepy. No reasoning here - it just creeps me out.

Broncos 31, Pats 21

 

[Riversco]

The Patriots have a really strange schedule in 2014. The Broncos game marks the start of a true gauntlet for the Patriots. Their next 5 games are against what look to be playoff teams.

Broncos

(bye)

@Colts

Lions

@Packers

@Chargers

This isn't just a big game for the Patriots. Its a big stretch of games.

I was looking back to see how the Patriots have handled such gauntlets and it never really happened before to them. They seem to always have easy AFC East games sprinkled in to break these up.

Evidence suggests that gauntlets like this tend to wear a team down. They start underperforming in the 2nd or 3rd game of a gauntlet. I think the Patriots will likely underperform @Colts and @Packers. But this is the first game of the Patriots' gauntlet and it seems often that the first game of a gauntlet is the best game a team plays.

 

[Tanner9919]

Pats are tied for 6th worst in recs to TE's allowed at 35.

Pats are 8th worst in pass yards to TE's, 423

Pats are 11th worst in avg yards/catch for TE's. 12.09

Pats 808 rush yards allowed is 3rd worst in NFL

Pats are tied with 4 other teams in TDs allowed to opposing RB's , 8, ranking them 3rd worst in the NFL.

Pats are tied for 6th worst in avg yards per carry at 4.51..

Denver's 2.90 rush yards/carry , and their 310 total rush yards allowed, are both tops in the NFL.

Denver's 329 RB rec yards allowed is 6th worst.

Denver is 1st in the NFL in scoring, averaging 32 ppg. Defensively, they rank 2nd in net yards allowed per attempt.

ok, so Revis will try to cover DT. Julius tears them up over the middle, as he did in the Championship games last year (8-85), with Sanders and Welker pitching in.

Hillman will kill it against that porous run defense..

where Denver has been soft is against the TE and against passes to the RB's ( Vereen was 5-59 receiving in the championship game).

NE's defense is considerably worse now than it was in that game last year, while Denver's offense is considerably better.

NE's offense has Gronk and is better than the game last year, while Denver's defense is markedly better..

Denver wins this game

 

[Baloney Sandwich]

Tanner, NE's defense is much better now than the squad that was out there for last years AFC title game. There is no debate, that is fact.

 

[Riversco]

Pats are tied for 6th worst in recs to TE's allowed at 35.

Pats are 8th worst in pass yards to TE's, 423

Pats are 11th worst in avg yards/catch for TE's. 12.09

Pats 808 rush yards allowed is 3rd worst in NFL

Pats are tied with 4 other teams in TDs allowed to opposing RB's , 8, ranking them 3rd worst in the NFL.

Pats are tied for 6th worst in avg yards per carry at 4.51..

Denver's 2.90 rush yards/carry , and their 310 total rush yards allowed, are both tops in the NFL.

Denver's 329 RB rec yards allowed is 6th worst.

Denver is 1st in the NFL in scoring, averaging 32 ppg. Defensively, they rank 2nd in net yards allowed per attempt.

ok, so Revis will try to cover DT. Julius tears them up over the middle, as he did in the Championship games last year (8-85), with Sanders and Welker pitching in.

Hillman will kill it against that porous run defense..

where Denver has been soft is against the TE and against passes to the RB's ( Vereen was 5-59 receiving in the championship game).

NE's defense is considerably worse now than it was in that game last year, while Denver's offense is considerably better.

NE's offense has Gronk and is better than the game last year, while Denver's defense is markedly better..

Denver wins this game

Denver should finish the season at least 13-3. Maybe 15-1 if they are lucky.

 

[Riversco]

The only thing that can slow the Broncos down is injuries. They should win the super bowl. But the Patriots might win this game.

 

[Hoss Style]

Pats are tied for 6th worst in recs to TE's allowed at 35.

Pats are 8th worst in pass yards to TE's, 423

Pats are 11th worst in avg yards/catch for TE's. 12.09

Pats 808 rush yards allowed is 3rd worst in NFL

Pats are tied with 4 other teams in TDs allowed to opposing RB's , 8, ranking them 3rd worst in the NFL.

Pats are tied for 6th worst in avg yards per carry at 4.51..

Denver's 2.90 rush yards/carry , and their 310 total rush yards allowed, are both tops in the NFL.

Denver's 329 RB rec yards allowed is 6th worst.

Denver is 1st in the NFL in scoring, averaging 32 ppg. Defensively, they rank 2nd in net yards allowed per attempt.

ok, so Revis will try to cover DT. Julius tears them up over the middle, as he did in the Championship games last year (8-85), with Sanders and Welker pitching in.

Hillman will kill it against that porous run defense..

where Denver has been soft is against the TE and against passes to the RB's ( Vereen was 5-59 receiving in the championship game).

NE's defense is considerably worse now than it was in that game last year, while Denver's offense is considerably better.

NE's offense has Gronk and is better than the game last year, while Denver's defense is markedly better..

Denver wins this game

Nice stats. The one about Denver being weak against the RBs is what worries me about Vareen.

 

[moleculo]

Pats are tied for 6th worst in recs to TE's allowed at 35.

Pats are 8th worst in pass yards to TE's, 423

Pats are 11th worst in avg yards/catch for TE's. 12.09

Pats 808 rush yards allowed is 3rd worst in NFL

Pats are tied with 4 other teams in TDs allowed to opposing RB's , 8, ranking them 3rd worst in the NFL.

Pats are tied for 6th worst in avg yards per carry at 4.51..

Denver's 2.90 rush yards/carry , and their 310 total rush yards allowed, are both tops in the NFL.

Denver's 329 RB rec yards allowed is 6th worst.

Denver is 1st in the NFL in scoring, averaging 32 ppg. Defensively, they rank 2nd in net yards allowed per attempt.

ok, so Revis will try to cover DT. Julius tears them up over the middle, as he did in the Championship games last year (8-85), with Sanders and Welker pitching in.

Hillman will kill it against that porous run defense..

where Denver has been soft is against the TE and against passes to the RB's ( Vereen was 5-59 receiving in the championship game).

NE's defense is considerably worse now than it was in that game last year, while Denver's offense is considerably better.

NE's offense has Gronk and is better than the game last year, while Denver's defense is markedly better..

Denver wins this game

Nice stats. The one about Denver being weak against the RBs is what worries me about Vareen.

Especially without Trevathan, but Brandon Marshall did a really, really nice job last week against Oliver.

The Broncos receiving yards allowed to RB's is really skewed by that weird Ellington 80 yard reception. That single play is almost 25% of the stat cited above.

I'm not really concerned about Vereen. I'm more concerned about Gronk, especially after the game Gates had last week.

 

[moleculo]

The Patriots have a really strange schedule in 2014. The Broncos game marks the start of a true gauntlet for the Patriots. Their next 5 games are against what look to be playoff teams.

Broncos

(bye)

@Colts

Lions

@Packers

@Chargers

This isn't just a big game for the Patriots. Its a big stretch of games.

I was looking back to see how the Patriots have handled such gauntlets and it never really happened before to them. They seem to always have easy AFC East games sprinkled in to break these up.

Evidence suggests that gauntlets like this tend to wear a team down. They start underperforming in the 2nd or 3rd game of a gauntlet. I think the Patriots will likely underperform @Colts and @Packers. But this is the first game of the Patriots' gauntlet and it seems often that the first game of a gauntlet is the best game a team plays.

conversely, this game marks the end of a really tough stretch for the Broncos.

Colts

Chiefs

@ Seahawks

Cardinals

@Jets

49ers

Chargers

@Patriots

thats 6 of 8 teams that were 10+ game winners last year, 6 of 8 that were playoff teams last year, and 7 of 8 that should be playoff contenders this year.

 

[Hoss Style]

Pats are tied for 6th worst in recs to TE's allowed at 35.

Pats are 8th worst in pass yards to TE's, 423

Pats are 11th worst in avg yards/catch for TE's. 12.09

Pats 808 rush yards allowed is 3rd worst in NFL

Pats are tied with 4 other teams in TDs allowed to opposing RB's , 8, ranking them 3rd worst in the NFL.

Pats are tied for 6th worst in avg yards per carry at 4.51..

Denver's 2.90 rush yards/carry , and their 310 total rush yards allowed, are both tops in the NFL.

Denver's 329 RB rec yards allowed is 6th worst.

Denver is 1st in the NFL in scoring, averaging 32 ppg. Defensively, they rank 2nd in net yards allowed per attempt.

ok, so Revis will try to cover DT. Julius tears them up over the middle, as he did in the Championship games last year (8-85), with Sanders and Welker pitching in.

Hillman will kill it against that porous run defense..

where Denver has been soft is against the TE and against passes to the RB's ( Vereen was 5-59 receiving in the championship game).

NE's defense is considerably worse now than it was in that game last year, while Denver's offense is considerably better.

NE's offense has Gronk and is better than the game last year, while Denver's defense is markedly better..

Denver wins this game

Nice stats. The one about Denver being weak against the RBs is what worries me about Vareen.

Especially without Trevathan, but Brandon Marshall did a really, really nice job last week against Oliver.

The Broncos receiving yards allowed to RB's is really skewed by that weird Ellington 80 yard reception. That single play is almost 25% of the stat cited above.

I'm not really concerned about Vereen. I'm more concerned about Gronk, especially after the game Gates had last week.

You're concerned about Gronk. Really?

That's like saying "I'm concered about Calvin" when he's 100%. I believe that's a given every week.

Other than Gronk, of course, I still think Vareen could be an issue. I'm not saying he'll go for 2 TDs and 100+ yards (he could), but he's an issue in their passing game when he's used.

He's looked good this year when Bill used him. He was a hair from getting a TD, twice, last game. He worries me if he plays more than usual. I'm talking big 3rd down conversions, maybe a big play or two, or near the goal line on passing plays.

I agree about Marshall, too. He's filled in well.

 

[PatsWillWin]

We've seen this movie before. Patriots roll.

 

[Hoss Style]

We've seen this movie before. Patriots roll.

Over?

 

[devouredbychaos]

Forecast is already changing. High of 38, and an 80% chance of snow. Also clocks fall back an hour on Saturday night, so it'll be dark by game time pushing that temp down to the 20s. All these stats from this season about how Peyton is great and how the Pats are ranked low in most categories can pretty much be thrown out the window. These 2 teams always play each other tough, and the one main factor in this game is that Peyton is 2-7 in Foxboro.

 

[wilked]

Expect to see plenty Manning-face

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NLdmxg6YgGs/UPIUihfMZYI/AAAAAAAAPc4/xPjC_qcj_qA/s1600/IMG957932.jpg

 

[Hoss Style]

Expect to see plenty Manning-face

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NLdmxg6YgGs/UPIUihfMZYI/AAAAAAAAPc4/xPjC_qcj_qA/s1600/IMG957932.jpg

That's the exact face he had after breaking the all time TD record and threw 3 TDs and no Ints.

I'll take that face. I'm glad you expect it! Here's to the Broncos!

 

[wilked]

Expect to see plenty Manning-face

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NLdmxg6YgGs/UPIUihfMZYI/AAAAAAAAPc4/xPjC_qcj_qA/s1600/IMG957932.jpg

That's the exact face he had after breaking the all time TD record and threw 3 TDs and no Ints.

I'll take that face. I'm glad you expect it! Here's to the Broncos!

is this guy for real?

 

[Hoss Style]

Expect to see plenty Manning-face

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NLdmxg6YgGs/UPIUihfMZYI/AAAAAAAAPc4/xPjC_qcj_qA/s1600/IMG957932.jpg

That's the exact face he had after breaking the all time TD record and threw 3 TDs and no Ints.

I'll take that face. I'm glad you expect it! Here's to the Broncos!

is this guy for real?

Heck yeah! Are you?

Good to meet another Bronco fan!

 

[moleculo]

Forecast is already changing. High of 38, and an 80% chance of snow. Also clocks fall back an hour on Saturday night, so it'll be dark by game time pushing that temp down to the 20s. All these stats from this season about how Peyton is great and how the Pats are ranked low in most categories can pretty much be thrown out the window. These 2 teams always play each other tough, and the one main factor in this game is that Peyton is 2-7 in Foxboro.

good. I do not want the Broncos to be given anything easy this season. They need to be as battle-tested as possible come January.

 

[Kool-Aid Larry]

The Patriots have a really strange schedule in 2014. The Broncos game marks the start of a true gauntlet for the Patriots. Their next 5 games are against what look to be playoff teams.

Broncos

(bye)

@Colts

Lions

@Packers

@Chargers

This isn't just a big game for the Patriots. Its a big stretch of games.

I was looking back to see how the Patriots have handled such gauntlets and it never really happened before to them. They seem to always have easy AFC East games sprinkled in to break these up.

Evidence suggests that gauntlets like this tend to wear a team down. They start underperforming in the 2nd or 3rd game of a gauntlet. I think the Patriots will likely underperform @Colts and @Packers. But this is the first game of the Patriots' gauntlet and it seems often that the first game of a gauntlet is the best game a team plays.

no, it's just a big game -- they don't play 6 teams this week.

but, all these games are big games, we just happen to create a thread about this one a week ahead because, as fans, we love the brady vs manning angle.

and what evidence is this that you refer to?

you've deduced teams tend to lose more as they play better teams?

I remember the mountainous hurdle cincy was supposed to be.

 

[devouredbychaos]

Forecast is already changing. High of 38, and an 80% chance of snow. Also clocks fall back an hour on Saturday night, so it'll be dark by game time pushing that temp down to the 20s. All these stats from this season about how Peyton is great and how the Pats are ranked low in most categories can pretty much be thrown out the window. These 2 teams always play each other tough, and the one main factor in this game is that Peyton is 2-7 in Foxboro.

good. I do not want the Broncos to be given anything easy this season. They need to be as battle-tested as possible come January.

So you think they'd win easy in Foxboro if the weather wasn't a factor? ...lol

 

[Kool-Aid Larry]

Forecast is already changing. High of 38, and an 80% chance of snow. Also clocks fall back an hour on Saturday night, so it'll be dark by game time pushing that temp down to the 20s. All these stats from this season about how Peyton is great and how the Pats are ranked low in most categories can pretty much be thrown out the window. These 2 teams always play each other tough, and the one main factor in this game is that Peyton is 2-7 in Foxboro.

 

[devouredbychaos]

The Patriots have a really strange schedule in 2014. The Broncos game marks the start of a true gauntlet for the Patriots. Their next 5 games are against what look to be playoff teams.

Broncos

(bye)

@Colts

Lions

@Packers

@Chargers

This isn't just a big game for the Patriots. Its a big stretch of games.

I was looking back to see how the Patriots have handled such gauntlets and it never really happened before to them. They seem to always have easy AFC East games sprinkled in to break these up.

Evidence suggests that gauntlets like this tend to wear a team down. They start underperforming in the 2nd or 3rd game of a gauntlet. I think the Patriots will likely underperform @Colts and @Packers. But this is the first game of the Patriots' gauntlet and it seems often that the first game of a gauntlet is the best game a team plays.

no, it's just a big game -- they don't play 6 teams this week.

but, all these games are big games, we just happen to create a thread about this one a week ahead because, as fans, we love the brady vs manning angle.

and what evidence is this that you refer to?

you've deduced teams tend to lose more as they play better teams?

I remember the mountainous hurdle cincy was supposed to be.

Honestly wouldn't surprise me to see the Pats win out. Broncos game is the toughest one, but all those other teams are very beatable and they've lost to teams that they should've beat.

 

[Kool-Aid Larry]

The only thing that can slow the Broncos down is injuries. They should win the super bowl. But the Patriots might win this game.

like last year?

 

[moleculo]

The only thing that can slow the Broncos down is injuries. They should win the super bowl. But the Patriots might win this game.

like last year?

are you insinuating they weren't slowed down by injuries last year?

 

[moleculo]

Forecast is already changing. High of 38, and an 80% chance of snow. Also clocks fall back an hour on Saturday night, so it'll be dark by game time pushing that temp down to the 20s. All these stats from this season about how Peyton is great and how the Pats are ranked low in most categories can pretty much be thrown out the window. These 2 teams always play each other tough, and the one main factor in this game is that Peyton is 2-7 in Foxboro.

good. I do not want the Broncos to be given anything easy this season. They need to be as battle-tested as possible come January.

So you think they'd win easy in Foxboro if the weather wasn't a factor? ...lol

no. Pats are a challenge for sure. Weather adds an additional challenge. I'd prefer that, frankly.

 

[Kool-Aid Larry]

The only thing that can slow the Broncos down is injuries. They should win the super bowl. But the Patriots might win this game.

like last year?

are you insinuating they weren't slowed down by injuries last year?

that's why manning got picked off twice -- injuries?

 

[Hoss Style]

The only thing that can slow the Broncos down is injuries. They should win the super bowl. But the Patriots might win this game.

like last year?

are you insinuating they weren't slowed down by injuries last year?

Either that, or he's insinuating that every time something "should" happen, it's predictive of what'll happen the next time. Maybe he's getting "should" and "will" mixed up?

 

[devouredbychaos]

The only thing that can slow the Broncos down is injuries. They should win the super bowl. But the Patriots might win this game.

like last year?

are you insinuating they weren't slowed down by injuries last year?

Every good team suffers injuries. I think you just need a better post season QB if you want to see the Broncos actually win another SB

 

[moleculo]

The only thing that can slow the Broncos down is injuries. They should win the super bowl. But the Patriots might win this game.

like last year?

are you insinuating they weren't slowed down by injuries last year?

Every good team suffers injuries. I think you just need a better post season QB if you want to see the Broncos actually win another SB

 

[Kool-Aid Larry]

I've been hearing manning 'should' win the superbowl for about the last 12 years

 

[moleculo]

I've been hearing manning 'should' win the superbowl for about the last 12 years

the same could be said about Brady.

 

[Hoss Style]

The only thing that can slow the Broncos down is injuries. They should win the super bowl. But the Patriots might win this game.

like last year?

are you insinuating they weren't slowed down by injuries last year?

Every good team suffers injuries. I think you just need a better post season QB if you want to see the Broncos actually win another SB

It's silly to say he's not capable of winning one - he already has. Only 30 or so have done it in the history of the League. I'm fine with our QB situation. It could be much, much worse.

 

[Kool-Aid Larry]

Patriots are going to honor the 22 players who [DID] won three Super Bowl rings, on Sunday vs. Broncos.

 

[Kool-Aid Larry]

I've been hearing manning 'should' win the superbowl for about the last 12 years

the same could be said about Brady.

yeah, I'm not the one in this thread saying the pats should win the superbowl this year, so what is your point?

 

[Hoss Style]

I've been hearing manning 'should' win the superbowl for about the last 12 years

the same could be said about Brady.

yeah, I'm not the one in this thread saying the pats should win the superbowl this year, so what is your point?

I'm not a fan of using the word "should". No one "should" win it all, in any year, because #### happens in the playoffs.

Just out of curiosity, Larry, who would you say are the favorites in the AFC this year? No sarcasm, just curious if you see the Pats rounding into form by playoff time, or another team out there, or maybe the Broncos?

 

[Workhorse]

NE's defense is considerably worse now than it was in that game last year

Huh?

In terms of rankings, the 2013 Patriots defense ranked 26th in yards allowed. This year's Patriots rank 12th.

 

[Kool-Aid Larry]

I've been hearing manning 'should' win the superbowl for about the last 12 years

the same could be said about Brady.

yeah, I'm not the one in this thread saying the pats should win the superbowl this year, so what is your point?

I'm not a fan of using the word "should". No one "should" win it all, in any year, because #### happens in the playoffs.

Just out of curiosity, Larry, who would you say are the favorites in the AFC this year? No sarcasm, just curious if you see the Pats rounding into form by playoff time, or another team out there, or maybe the Broncos?

as of today, I'd have to assume vegas favs are the broncos.

we'll see if that changes next week.

personally, I'm not making any odds line, so I really don't worry about that kind of thing ---- pats got a game to win this week, we don't have to start playing a game 3 months from now.

 

[Kool-Aid Larry]

NE's defense is considerably worse now than it was in that game last year

Huh?

In terms of rankings, the 2013 Patriots defense ranked 26th in yards allowed. This year's Patriots rank 12th.

apparently, adding our defensive mvp, wilfork, and revis + browner --- our 2 starting corners, makes it worse.

 

[jon_mx]

I am cheering for the Patriots. Otherwise Peyton and Demetrius will become about worthless for week 15-17.

 

[Kool-Aid Larry]

I am cheering for the Patriots. Otherwise Peyton and Demetrius will become about worthless for week 15-17.

I'll assume you're a broncos fan

 

[thatguy]

I think this one is pretty simple. If Denver can get pressure on Brady consistently, the Pats offense will struggle, and Denver should win by about a TD. If they can't, despite Denver having a very good secondary, Brady will eat them alive--and Gronk might top his output from last week. In this case, I see the Pats winning, I don't want to say with ease, but fairly comfortably. Looking forward to a great game! Good luck Pats fans!

 

[thatguy]

I see Belichick/McD going with a relatively vanilla offensive gameplan to offset Denver's pass rush. A lot of two TE sets, trying to establish the running game and not abandoning it even if it's ineffective, and a lot of quick reads for Brady--slants, outs, screens, etc. The best scenario for New England is to have two to three 6+ minute scoring drives, staying with the run, dinking and dunking it, keeping the chains moving, tiring out Denver's D, keeping Manning off the field. And I think this is very possible. Should be a good one.

 

[jon_mx]

I am cheering for the Patriots. Otherwise Peyton and Demetrius will become about worthless for week 15-17.

I'll assume you're a broncos fan

No, but drafted them.

 

[thatguy]

Basically, as others have said, I think this a game where we can throw the statistics out the window. It's going to be a chess match.

 

[Kool-Aid Larry]

Well, the best news for the Broncos is the starting RB got hurt. The running game has markedly improved. I'm not sure if stats bear this out, but if you watch the games, then you see it.

I like Revis, but don't know if he can handle Thomas. Any Revis fans know how he's done against really big WRs? I'm in a spot where I can't look up the stats. I tend to like our WR core against NE's D.

how big is brandon marshall?

Darrelle Revis, CB: +3.6

Breakdown: Revis’ grade was the best of any Patriots’ defender, thanks in no small part to his work shutting down Brandon Marshall. Cutler had a QB Rating of 6.3 when targeting Revis.

Signature Stat: Revis allowed just 1 of 6 passes for 11 yards to be completed in coverage of Marshall, including a pass defensed and an interception

~ PFF