Kirwan:Expect a tight divisional battle between Broncos, Patriots

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NFL.com news: Expect a tight divisional battle between Broncos, Patriots

 

[PatriotFan77]

I expect a rout. Patriots score 40+

 

[ender24601]

I expect a rout. Patriots score 40+

Pats 31-20.

 

[The-Hooded-One]

I can't wait for the D to shut these people up on Saturday.

Chung, Spikes and Moore will make a difference.

 

[Jackson 2]

Kirwan knows his stuff. He's also very friendly with BB. I would not dismiss his opinion.

 

[supafly]

Kirwan knows his stuff. He's also very friendly with BB. I would not dismiss his opinion.

I wouldn't dismiss the opinion that they can keep the game close.

Hopefully the "right" Patriot team shows up on Saturday. I have a hard time believing that it will be 3 straight home playoff losses.

 

[SONS_OF_BELICHICK]

whenever you meet an opponent twice...it is that much harder....
familiarity is the key....they have u on tape against what they are running...

 

[PatsGirl2011]

If the Pats didn't play the Broncos less than a month ago, I would be all over the betting line. However, its always tough to play a team in a short amount time (ala 2007 vs. Giants).

 

[ctpatsfan77]

If the Pats didn't play the Broncos less than a month ago, I would be all over the betting line. However, its always tough to play a team in a short amount time (ala 2007 vs. Giants).

On the flip side, the Pats are arguably healthier than they were when they were in surgery mode against the Broncos, while the Broncos are not.

 

[Jackson 2]

I wouldn't dismiss the opinion that they can keep the game close.

Hopefully the "right" Patriot team shows up on Saturday. I have a hard time believing that it will be 3 straight home playoff losses.

I absolutely agree.

 

[Sparetire]

I wouldn't dismiss the opinion that they can keep the game close.

Hopefully the "right" Patriot team shows up on Saturday. I have a hard time believing that it will be 3 straight home playoff losses.

To be honest, im so scared of this game. i keep imagine that the wrong side of the pats will show up on satruday and we will lose it, i just dont see us winning this game, on the other hand - i didnt see us winning against the rams in 2001 so...i really dont know - but i dont have a good feeling about this game even one bit.

 

[jeman022004]

If the Pats didn't play the Broncos less than a month ago, I would be all over the betting line. However, its always tough to play a team in a short amount time (ala 2007 vs. Giants).

I agree, but the difference is the Giants regular season game (2007) was a close one. The Denver game was close for the 1st Quarter....

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

The first rule in any maneuver battle is who has the advantage when the next movement occurrs.

That was the key to Rex's success last year. Anyone see this in Denver?

How about us?

 

[RobertWeathers]

Not buying it.

Pats are going to win by at least 3 touchdowns.

They are a vastly superior team at full strength- which they were not last year.

Tebow may make a few plays here and they'll have some success with the run but the defense will be a bit more prepared this time around.

This Pats offense is hell on wheels and MUCH more efficient and productive than Pitts is.

41-20 seems about right to me.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

To be honest, im so scared of this game. i keep imagine that the wrong side of the pats will show up on satruday and we will lose it, i just dont see us winning this game, on the other hand - i didnt see us winning against the rams in 2001 so...i really dont know - but i dont have a good feeling about this game even one bit.

Broncos are tough, but the pats have a few advantages going into the game:

1. Played them one month ago

2. Temperature at game time of 25 degrees. Easily the coldest game Tebow will ever have played in.

3. Getting back Spikes, Chung, Branch and Moore

4. McDaniels

5. Pats have lost their last 3 playoff games

6. Tebowmania distraction to the broncos

7. Home field advantage

8. Broncos on short rest

 

[Nunchucks]

I think this is going to be a battle. The Broncos can rush the passer and can run the ball, two things that give any team a chance to win a single game.

Patriots are going to have to play smart football.

Definitely think think the Broncos have a chance of winning. On the flip side, Patriots have Chung and Spikes back and they may have McCourty playing safety, so the defense should be able to stop the run much better than last time.

It is going to be exciting, cannot wait for Saturday at 8!

 

[RobertWeathers]

This is not happening...

If the New England Patriots lose this weekend, Brady would become just the fifth quarterback in NFL history to lose four straight postseason games. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Dave Krieg holds the record at five, followed by Warren Moon, Billy Kilmer and Y.A. Tittle, all of whom lost four in a row. Worse yet, Brady would be the first quarterback to lose four straight postseason games without any being a road game.

This is happening...

With a victory over the Denver Broncos, Brady would join Joe Montana as the only quarterbacks with 15 postseason wins. He's currently tied for second with Terry Bradshaw and John Elway.

New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

 

[sevengables_2207]

On the flip side, the Pats are arguably healthier than they were when they were in surgery mode against the Broncos, while the Broncos are not.

Pretty much this. I agree that it is tough to play an opponent twice in a short time-span.

However, this is probably as healthy as the team has been in quite some time, especially along the offensive line. I saw how the Broncos were gashed by the run courtesy of a backup running back and an average offensive line. Can't help but think that the running game will be clicking Saturday night... as if this offense needs any more firepower...

The defense will likely try to keep everything in front of them, force Tebow to march methodically down the field, go through his progressions, in short, be Tom Brady. As long as the defense can limit or eliminate explosive plays in the Broncos running/passing game, I can not see them (Broncos) keeping this close for long.

 

[makoute]

To be honest, im so scared of this game. i keep imagine that the wrong side of the pats will show up on satruday and we will lose it, i just dont see us winning this game, on the other hand - i didnt see us winning against the rams in 2001 so...i really dont know - but i dont have a good feeling about this game even one bit.

You didn't see the Pats winning the Rams game in 2001 because they really had no business winning that game, the pats should not lose to the Broncos, like I said in a previous thread, if the Pats find a way to lose at home for the third year in a row, and this time to the worse team left in the playoffs, then some serious changes need to be made in Foxboro.

 

[BB4PRez]

I can see this as a tight game. The Broncos line had pretty good success against the Pats last time and McGahee is a good back. BB will respect the deep ball and the Broncos will have opportunities to drive the ball. Tebow will make few thows and runs. The Broncos will play with fire and emotion and they have some good athletes.

I could also see the Pats getting an early lead and pulling away. Pats don't need turnovers to take the Broncos out. If the Broncos have a few early three and outs and Brady gets hot the Pats are capable of putting the Broncos away.

I don't think the Broncos have enough to knock out the Pats early and ride a lead to a big win. They could not knock the Steelers out and the Pats have more weapons to come back then they do.