Kdo5
Pro Bowl Player
- Joined
- Dec 16, 2005
- Messages
- 18,466
- Reaction score
- 15,537
Registered Members experience this forum ad and noise-free.
CLICK HERE to Register for a free account and login for a smoother ad-free experience. It's easy, and only takes a few moments.If Brady is on the radio Monday morning saying he's sure "everyone will pick the Broncos" it sounds like it already is. And I don't think the Patriots have been underdogs in the playoffs (going by Vegas line) since 2006.For the first time in a while I get the feeling that the disrespect card is going to be played in that locker room. And that makes me feel even more optimistic.
they've also had to remember how painful last season was, when they were upset at home in a divisional playoff loss to Baltimore.
2013 NFL playoffs -- Ten questions about the Patriots and Broncos in the AFC title game - ESPN Boston
and thus the ESPN disrespect card of the pats begin
and then....
IMO yesterday's game has more to do with Chargers not executing well than Broncos shutting them.... to start with, Chargers never seemed to try passing the ball much ... then stuck to run and it got them nowhere.... they didn't play like they were prepared to play.. they were all over the place giving away stupid penalties.. that game could've been closer than it looked ....
How on earth did the broncos "dominate" the game through three quarters? I suppose they did with time of possession and yards, but not really on the scoreboard, which is what counts.
Exactly, You'd think the Donkeys hung a 30-spot on 'em by the second quarter. The Bolts lost because they played like they didn't care for almost three quarters - especially their O-line. Maybe it's the surfer dude atmosphere of San Diego, but the Bolts remain one of the most inconsistent, unmotivated teams in the NFL. If they played 60 minutes with some fire they might be good.
XXX
They were up 17-0 after three quarters. But the flow of the game does matter. I'm reminded of the Saints vs Eagles Wild Card game when Brees was playing terrible but yet PHI was only up 7-6 at the half. At that point I thought to myself, PHI is done; they haven't taken advantage of the turnovers and Brees will probably get it together.How on earth did the broncos "dominate" the game through three quarters? I suppose they did with time of possession and yards, but not really on the scoreboard, which is what counts.
Another "adversity" competition… yawn.
The Broncos can keep their adversity and cry themselves to sleep with it while we take the win.
I'd say that with the loss of Harris, the Broncos are still not on the Patriots level of injuries, but they are getting close. If you asked a lot of people before the season who are the most irreplaceable players on both teams, here's how I think it would go down:
Patriots
1. Brady
2. Gronkowski
3. Wilfork
4. Talib
5. Mayo (although many would have argued that McCourty or Jones were as valuable, and right now, you might argue Mankins or Edelman.)
Broncos
1. Manning
2. Miller
3. Clady (his contract proves it.)
4. D. Thomas
5. Decker or Welker
Patriots also lost Tommy Kelly, but the Broncos lost Kevin Vickerson and Derek Wolfe. Patriots lost Vollmer and the Broncos had a rash of injuries on their interior OL to start the season. Now the Broncos have lost probably their best coverage guy.
The Patriots injuries have been more magnified because they are more visible involving skill players, particularly pass catchers, while Manning's "Big 4" have waltzed around with little resistance all season.
And the Pats can keep their "nobody respects us" card and cry themselves to sleep with it....
Usually when we play the "no one respects us" card it is the other team that ends up crying themselves to sleep after the game.