PATSNUTme

Up until last night, my #1 key was containing Denvers run.

However, thinking about how Denver got to Tom in the first half of last game, I changed my mind. They were all over him using straight up rushes or blitz packages.

My #1 key to the game is to keep Tom clean. We have to stop the pressure from Devers D-line and pick up the blitzes. Corey is one of the best RB for picking up the blitz. So, even if he doesn't have a great game running the ball, his blitz pick up should be vital.

dryheat44

Wilfork CANNOT allow Nalen to single block him in the run game. If Nalen can consistently handle Wilfork 1-on-1, the Patriots can't win.

__________________
When it's third and 10, you can have the milk drinkers and I'll take the whiskey drinkers every time. -- R.I.P. Max McGee

BradyAlright

I think the Patriots key's to the game is to start fast. No huddle, and keep the pressure on Denver's defense and offense, they must dictate the game. In last years AFC game the Pats struck first and often, they made the Steelers play a faster game and caused there defense to adjust more quickly which created more chances for bigger plays (the two branch bombs) and turnovers for the defense. The Steelers both on offense and defense where on their heels.

What does Denver and Pitt have in common the rushing attack, knock the legs from beneath them and make them play a faster game. If you think back we had the same type of game against Pitt during lasts year regular season 34-21 I believe. This year it was Denver 28-20 we had numerous players out. Denver weakness is there secondary; multiple WR's put Branch in the slot or in motion a couple of trick plays (flea flicker, half-back pass) will help also.

Denver loves to have Lynch in the box, play action and hit the TE up the middle. Just like Pittsburgh the Broncos love to bring the house, Pats must make them pay for their aggressiveness. Denver was close to last in sacks, they must bring more people to generate a pass rush. Say what you want, but when a team comes back from a 28-3 deficit and could of tied the game up something tells me the Pats understand what they need to do and how to accomplish it. Just my gut feeling we win 34 -24

__________________
Nobody can give you freedom. Nobody can give you equality or justice or anything. If you're a man, you take it. - Malcolm X
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

fgssand

If we stop their run, which is #1 defensive priority - no way will the Broncos come close to 24 points.

Pats will win, easier than most think - 24-13

BelichickFan

Regarding pressure on Brady, that's the #1 thing although it's not my #1 key because I'm not worried about it. I don't have the tape of the first Denver game but that was just Kaczur's 3rd game at LT and we had Pass as the starting RB. Kaczur has now started 11 games since then so he's much more comfortable at LT and working with Mankins so blitzing and general pass rush should bother him (them) less. Add to that an actual run threat with Dillon/Faulk (I know Pass did well in that Denver game but he was no threat going into the game, as soon as they saw him in I doubt they were thinking run much) and I'm not worried about pressure. Looking at the Jacksonville stats, I'm shocked to see they had 4 sacks because I don't remember them. But Jacksonville is among the league leaders in sacks and we generally protected Brady very well. Denver is near the bottom in sacks and I expect the now veteran left side to do fine and I hope Denver brings extra guys. That said, the OL will have some problems with communication due to noise but overall they should be fine.

No doubt for me, the #1 key is stopping the run. Sure, Plummer has had a good season and making them pass plays into our biggest weakness, defending the pass. But I'm confident we'll make enough plays if we get them into 3rd and 5+ consistently, especially as we won't need our #3 and #4 CB in too much and that's our biggest weakness.

BelichickFan

You've got that right. Get a lead, make them throw, take the ooomph out of the crowd somewhat. I'd risk hurting Dillon's mental state by starting Faulk again, spreading it out, daring them to blitz when we have our WR, Watson and Faulk going out into the pass patterns.

mgcolby

Stop the run, stop the run! If they run on us it will be hard to win, just like in any game. Special teams will be big as well. I would love to see Hobbs break one, that would sting them pretty bad.

__________________
Hey, Bill you're wasting Brady's prime years......oh wait....
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

BelichickFan

Denver is 4th last in the league at defending kickoffs, allowing 25.3 per return. They are good defending punt returns, though, coming in at 10th best in the league.

tatepatsfan

My #1 key for the game is for the D to step up immediately. We stop them, especially on the run on the first 2 or so series, Plummer's bootleg becomes significantly less effective, and it will give our LB's much more room to control the flow of the game when Denver has the ball. I expect our offense to put up somewhere in the 20's in terms of points. It is up to our D to hold Denver below that number, and I think we are up to the challenge. The key matchup, for me, will be, however, our LB's (probably mostly Vrabel/Bruschi/Beisel) on their TE's, or any backs coming out of the backfield. We have to shut that down. I think we will. I know there is a prediction thread, but I haven't done it all year so I'll just post it here.

Pats 27, Broncos 17

Brady seals it with a solid drive in the middle of the 4th quarter to put us up 10, and the D ends it with a Denver 3 & out, allowing the Pats to run the clock out.

Julius

I'm thinking the key to this game is going to be red zone defense and limiting easy touchdowns. Last time we played the Broncos never had to settle for field goals. Pats offense is going to score points hopefully touchdowns. I don't think we can shut down this offense but if we keep them out of the endzone then we won't have to play a one dimensional catch up offense which will lead to interceptions.