Patriots vs Broncos Week

PATS16N0 said:

They look to be generally improved

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This is 100 percent my entire point, and why I took issue with the comment that "Denver has regressed, and taken a step backwards."

I don't know if they've improved (Personally, I feel they have, and a lot of others do as well), but they sure as hell haven't "declined."

I like to think like a homer the majority of the time myself, but one must draw a line

supafly said:

Just the fact that they were tied with SEA in Century Link Field (as opposed to the neutral site of the SB) at the end of regulation, versus their 43-8 debacle last year alone backs my statement up tenfold. Offensive stats don't mean anything, as we've seen many times in the past. It's the balance of the TEAM itself, and thus far I've yet to see anything that suggests to me that they've regressed or declined.

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The Broncos were dead in the water until the Safety/Seattle INT in the fourth quarter.

I know that Denver fans really like to point to that game and say how much they improved but it is simply ********. Seattle was not able to put them away and almost **** their bed. Denver got lucky with a unnecessary safety and an interception deep in Seattle territory to swing the game from 3-17 to 12-17.

And yet everyone was on Peyton's **** because of the one Denver drive that went the full distance in the entire game and actually ended with a TD.

Thought this might be relevant

obgod3 said:

We can disagree that fine, I certainly dont think it will be a factor. Bill doesn't either. Anyway thats why we get to disagree

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If you want to disagree with facts, that is your prerogative.

SVN said:

And another similar comment from the holier than thou Peter King

http://www.danpatrick.com/2014/10/31/peter-king-weighs-brady-vs-manning-debate/

"No QB wouldve beaten seattle in that Superbowl. " - Another defense of manning I have heard.

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I'm not sure this is a good thing, but Skip Bayless picks Brady over Manning:

As immense as my respect is for Peyton Manning, and as close a call as this is, give me Tom Brady.

Give me Brady's one-of-the-guys leadership over Peyton's blue-blooded coach on the field. Give me Brady's sixth-round, aw-shucks authenticity over Peyton's product-pitching gift, comedic flair on "Saturday Night Live" and royal pedigree as son of former QB great Archie and older brother of Eli.

Give me Brady's clutch gene and postseason record. Give me Brady as the slightly more solid rock upon which to build Super Bowl teams.

Forgive me, Manning fans, I just can't envision a Brady-led team crumbling on the Super Bowl stage and losing 43-8, as Peyton's Broncos did in February to Seattle. It just seems that some tiny intangible is missing in Peyton that burns fiercely in Tom, perhaps some closer connection with teammates.

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http://m.espn.go.com/nfl/story?storyId=11792390

supafly said:

4) I have no idea who "Chris Blair" is, so I cannot comment on that one. As a whole the DEN secondary has held up pretty well, and has actually improved since last year. I don't know how this would be considered a step back for them? They added TJ Ward and Aqib Talib, so I don't imagine that anyone's going to be crying any tears for their so-called demise. 1st round pick Roby is raw like any other first year CB is, but the addition of him doesn't make them go backwards.

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The Broncos have a decent secondary. but not elite. We all know that Talib does a good job against bigger receivers, but struggles with guys who have speed and can beat him downfield. Talib vs LaFell will be a nice matchup. If they put Talib on Gronk, that opens up a lot, and Gronk will physically beat him up. Talib is also brittle and doesn't like getting hit. Josh knows that and will probably go after him early with big guys like Tyms and Wright.

The previous poster meant Chris Harris who at 5'10" will have his hands full. He's a decent corner but not elite. If they put him inside on Edelman, that would be a good matchup, but one Edelman can win (if he holds on to the football.) It also leaves the wideouts free to work on lesser defenders.

The rest of their secondary are a bunch of JAGs. Look for big games from Wright, Tyms and maybe Amendola. Amendola should be open all day. And what is the story with Aaron Dobson?

Any chance Dobson and Tyms both play? I don't remember exactly but I want to say Dobson had a decent game against them last year. 2 deep threats like that would be useful. It would leave Edelman/Amendola open underneath. I'm sure there is someone else that could be inactive so Dobson could be active

patriot1136 said:

Any chance Dobson and Tyms both play? I don't remember exactly but I want to say Dobson had a decent game against them last year. 2 deep threats like that would be useful. It would leave Edelman/Amendola open underneath. I'm sure there is someone else that could be inactive so Dobson could be active

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Dobson isn't a contributor on STs and LaFell has overtaken him for that role on the field. Add int Tyms providing an adequate scrimage backup and playing on 4th down, it seems injury is the only thing that will get Aaron on the field at all this year.

luuked said:

The Broncos were dead in the water until the Safety/Seattle INT in the fourth quarter.

I know that Denver fans really like to point to that game and say how much they improved but it is simply ********. Seattle was not able to put them away and almost **** their bed. Denver got lucky with a unnecessary safety and an interception deep in Seattle territory to swing the game from 3-17 to 12-17.

And yet everyone was on Peyton's **** because of the one Denver drive that went the full distance in the entire game and actually ended with a TD.

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There's no comparison in my mind between the 43-8 drubbing and this year's matchup, particularly since this year's was also in SEA.

You may question the fact that they tied it in the 4th quarter, but you can't honestly tell me that they didn't play with a lot of improvement, and that is the point. How anyone can honestly feel that DEN took a big step backwards from last year (overall team-wise) is beyond me, although I respect the opinion regardless.

Again--just to clarify, I still believe that we can definitely beat them tomorrow, but I disagree with the notion that just b/c Manning isn't matching his record setting stats offensively means that they have "declined," which is what the poster whom I responded to stated.

Surprised by some statements posted here. Especially regarding Seattle. Who cares really? I mean, the Pats got beat as bad by KC this year. We will know soon enough but I wouldn't be surprised at all if the Pats win. They are a good team. I don't expect a blowout either way and expect a close, hard fought game. Best of luck!

MileHighFish said:

Surprised by some statements posted here. Especially regarding Seattle. Who cares really? I mean, the Pats got beat as bad by KC this year. We will know soon enough but I wouldn't be surprised at all if the Pats win. They are a good team. I don't expect a blowout either way and expect a close, hard fought game. Best of luck!

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Anyone thinking this will be a blowout in both ends is smoking some strong stuff. Honestly both teams have a great shot at winning. Regular season game that's like a playoff game, between 2 teams that have great shots at being in the SB and winning the SB even. Whichever team loses tomorrow will not see their season end, but will just mean they will probably be facing the team that wins, in their home stadium during the last week of January.

goheels22002 said:

The Broncos have a decent secondary. but not elite. We all know that Talib does a good job against bigger receivers, but struggles with guys who have speed and can beat him downfield. Talib vs LaFell will be a nice matchup. If they put Talib on Gronk, that opens up a lot, and Gronk will physically beat him up. Talib is also brittle and doesn't like getting hit. Josh knows that and will probably go after him early with big guys like Tyms and Wright.

The previous poster meant Chris Harris who at 5'10" will have his hands full. He's a decent corner but not elite. If they put him inside on Edelman, that would be a good matchup, but one Edelman can win (if he holds on to the football.) It also leaves the wideouts free to work on lesser defenders.

The rest of their secondary are a bunch of JAGs. Look for big games from Wright, Tyms and maybe Amendola. Amendola should be open all day. And what is the story with Aaron Dobson?

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Thank You, goheels.

My senior moments grow more frequent, as I approach the Century mark.

Tunescribe said:

I think the key to New England winning this game is having success running the ball.

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I certainly hope not, but I also disagree. I think it is in stopping the pass rush, because this is going to be the Josh and Tom show (for better or for worse).

Oswlek said:

I'm going to have to disagree with you, Az. Denver's DL is the best NE will have seen this year, with the possible exception of KC. Their DEs are 2nd and 5th in the league in sacks and they are 5th at defensive ypc (all of 0.1 lower than the four teams tied for first above them). Denver allows a lower defensive passer rating than the Patriots. They are second in the league in DVOA overall, third at both passing/rushing defense.

This a solid group, by far the most complete unit NE will have faced this year.

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I might have agreed with you if you hadn't said "by far." Von Miller and Ware make them dangerous in the way KC was, and Knighton is comparable to Poe - maybe moreso, but not on the road, where Tom can work the snap count to slow them down.

AzPatsFan said:

The Broncos simply ARE NOT what they used to be.

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They are better than they used to be. Von Miller is playing better, and Ware and Talib give them an improved pass defense. Their offense is comparable. I actually like Sanders over Decker, as they already have a couple big targets and need someone to pickpup the slack from Welker, who I do think is on the decline (knock on wood).

That said, I think the Pats win this one. Payton doesn't have the luxury of adjusting the plays at will, like he does in the silence of his home stadium, and the Pats are improved, too. I do agree that Moreno being gone plays into the Pats hands, as they have always had a tough time against him, although that may be a wash against other teams.

Can't wait to get out in the cold and scream obscenities at Manning this evening.

Game on.

go pats!! a loss would suck, as we'd have to wait 2 weeks for another game to put this one behind us!

let it ****ing snow!!

@nflnetwork: Broncos will beat Patriots by 20+ points. -@kurt13warner #BOLDpredictions

@nflnetwork: Peyton Manning will have 2 rushing TDs vs. Patriots. -@WarrenSapp #BOLDpredictions

We have no chance. Call the game now.

patsinthesnow said:

@nflnetwork: Broncos will beat Patriots by 20+ points. -@kurt13warner #BOLDpredictions

@nflnetwork: Peyton Manning will have 2 rushing TDs vs. Patriots. -@WarrenSapp #BOLDpredictions

We have no chance. Call the game now.

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Well it is bold predictions. They are supposed to be really high odds statements. Something that's unlikely to happen

Can't remember the last time so many people picked against us at home. Virtually everyone is picking Denver. Hopefully they will regret it after the game.

CBS was showing TB on the field talking to someone in Denver gear. Was it John Fox?