Schlereth: I would be shocked if Denver wins

[Ring 6]

Sure he will, but they have a good running game compensating for Forehead's diminished skills.

The Broncos defense is better than Kansas City's. I think the going will be touch without a running attack.

Their running game is average at best.

Not sure I agree their D is better than KC at least significantly nor is it a tougher matchup for us.

 

[LightSkinSmurf]

So there are never reasons?
The Patriots lost to Denver (and others) because key players were missing. Considering it was an OT its a good bet that with those players they probably would have won.
Is that an excuse or a reason?

There are reasons teams lose every game. Almost all of them happen on the field. So that huge turnover that we had wasn't a huge reason we lost that game? Perhaps if that doesn't happen, you think we probably win? We didn't win because we didn't make enough plays to win. Yes, if we had more players healthy we would have had a better chance to win. You can say that about damn near every team in the league. Its an excuse. They were playing with a backup QB making his second start of the season and won.

 

[patfanken]

Like someone said before. At home, with a ref who they are 10-0 with, and a league office who doesn't want to see the Pats in the superbowl, a great defense, 2 good RB's and WR's; no shocked if they win would NOT be the word I would use. Disappointed is the right one, very disappointed.

 

[FourierSeries]

I would like to point out that the same people who are worried about this game are the same ones who were worried about last year's AFCCG - a game we ended up winning 45-7.

I would also like to point out that the only reason Denver has the #1 seed is because we were decimated by injury the final 6 weeks of the season, and so was Cincinnati. Denver is not the best team in the AFC. Not even close.

 

[Ring 6]

There are reasons teams lose every game. Almost all of them happen on the field. So that huge turnover that we had wasn't a huge reason we lost that game? Perhaps if that doesn't happen, you think we probably win? We didn't win because we didn't make enough plays to win. Yes, if we had more players healthy we would have had a better chance to win. You can say that about damn near every team in the league. Its an excuse. They were playing with a backup QB making his second start of the season and won.

Saying you would have won without a play or plays happening is making an excuse.
Acknowledging that missing key players in a close loss is a reason.
In the context of looking toward the next meeting the return of those players diminishes the value of that game.

Or just BLEEEAAAHH EXCUSES ARE FOR LOSERS DUDE

 

[Ring 6]

I would like to point out that the same people who are worried about this game are the same ones who were worried about last year's AFCCG - a game we ended up winning 45-7.

I would also like to point out that the only reason Denver has the #1 seed is because we were decimated by injury the final 6 weeks of the season, and so was Cincinnati. Denver is not the best team in the AFC. Not even close.

The beauty of it is ultimately it gets proven.

I think the Patriots, healthy as they now are, are thoroughly superior, and I don't really see how you could argue otherwise.
I also believe that given the direction both teams are headed in (the Patriots energized with return of players to get out of the maudlin stage, the Broncos hanging by a thread to get by with an over the hill QB) the Patriots will win soundly. Now soundly is up for definition, and a sound Patriot win could end up being 7 points as the opponent throws up a garbage time TD, but I don't think the outcome is going to be heavily in doubt for much of the day.

 

[ViperGTS]

Sure he will, but they have a good running game compensating for Forehead's diminished skills.

The Broncos defense is better than Kansas City's. I think the going will be touch without a running attack.

Not to overtly destroy every point make but answer me these:

In the first game did the Broncos run game do the most damage with A) Dives, counters or B) Bootleg zone reads?
What is a better defense A) Seattle of last years SB or B) Denver this year?
What is a better offense A) Seattle of last years SB or B) Denver of this year

 

[LightSkinSmurf]

Saying you would have won without a play or plays happening is making an excuse.
Acknowledging that missing key players in a close loss is a reason.
In the context of looking toward the next meeting the return of those players diminishes the value of that game.

Or just BLEEEAAAHH EXCUSES ARE FOR LOSERS DUDE

I'm not saying you can't acknowledge we were missing players. Or acknowledge our chances of winning increase with some of our guys back. I already admitted that obviously the healthier you are the better chance you have of winning. It goes without saying.. But you have to play with who you have and go win with who you have. If you know certain guys are hurt beforehand and you still pick a team to win, don't use the injury excuse afterwards if that team loses. Speaking in general here.

 

[LightSkinSmurf]

I would like to point out that the same people who are worried about this game are the same ones who were worried about last year's AFCCG - a game we ended up winning 45-7.

I would also like to point out that the only reason Denver has the #1 seed is because we were decimated by injury the final 6 weeks of the season, and so was Cincinnati. Denver is not the best team in the AFC. Not even close.

There were people worried about that game? Must of been like 3 people because I can't even remember lol.

 

[sambam94]

no jules, no danny, gronk hurt in 4th, muffed punt, 2-3 horrible calls against, and they took den to OT after blowing the lead. Now with all the weapons back...I see this game similar to the chiefs game last week.

 

[FourierSeries]

There were people worried about that game? Must of been like 3 people because I can't even remember lol.

Yes, there were. Far more than 3 people.

I found it as silly as I do this time around.

 

[AzorianPats]

We overcame the giants this year now lets win in denver

We smashed them in Denver back in 2011. This is nothing like the Giants

 

[BradyFTW!]

Only way Pats lose is if 2 key players get hurt.

Which, if the past 3 months are any indicator, has about a 50/50 chance of happening.

For the Chiefs game, I said I'd be confident in a win if and only if both Hightower and Edelman played, were effective, and didn't get reinjured. I feel pretty much the same for this one. Hightower is our most important defensive player for this game; we need him, Edelman, and Gronk to be available and healthy-ish for the full game. If Collins doesn't play or has a limited role, that will suck but it's not necessarily the end of the world for this game at least, provided that Hightower doesn't go out.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Apparently I'm in the minority considering the Patriots underdogs in this game. No way is this a sure thing. No freakin' way. It's going to be a struggle to come out on top.

Yeah, I think it's pretty much a coin flip too. The Pats are the better team, but Denver is a huge home field advantage thanks to the altitude, I fully believe that the league will do everything in its power to create the outcome that it wants, Denver's defense is really really good, and they've been winning ugly in games they shouldn't have won all year. Even if we're up 10 points in the 4th, I'll still be worried, and just waiting for the other show to drop on a historically bad screwjob penalty.

 

[aluminum seats]

I can think of at least one...

I'm honestly not sure which game you're referring to--2007? That wasn't shocking...

 

[IcyPatriot]

He was a douchebag before ... and he's still a douchebag.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Which, if the past 3 months are any indicator, has about a 50/50 chance of happening.

For the Chiefs game, I said I'd be confident in a win if and only if both Hightower and Edelman played, were effective, and didn't get reinjured. I feel pretty much the same for this one. Hightower is our most important defensive player for this game; we need him, Edelman, and Gronk to be available and healthy-ish for the full game. If Collins doesn't play or has a limited role, that will suck but it's not necessarily the end of the world for this game at least, provided that Hightower doesn't go out.

It should not be lost on anyone that when High left the game vs DEN, their running game took off.

As you say, JE and Gronk are key but I agree, High is THE key.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

mumble...grumble...mumble...grumble...I much prefer it when the mediots are saying there's no way we can win and that we are 10,000 point dogs...mumble...

 

[Galeb]

mumble...grumble...mumble...grumble...I much prefer it when the mediots are saying there's no way we can win and that we are 10,000 point dogs...mumble...

 

[BradyFTW!]

It should not be lost on anyone that when High left the game vs DEN, their running game took off.

As you say, JE and Gronk are key but I agree, High is THE key.

Yup, the running game splits before and after Hightower's injury bear it out in a startling way. If Hightower plays the full game, the Broncos don't get to 17.