NE @ Broncos: pregame thoughts

[NYPatsFan]

There's nothing more uncertain in New England than trying to predict the Pats and Broncos in Denver.

 

[New England Pride]

I'll gladly take an ugly win with no key injuries. This season home field is gonna be more important than ever.

 

[aluminum seats]

Regarding the bye, the Pats arguably played their worst the three games after the bye last year (although we know they pulled themselves together nicely in the Super Bowl).

 

[Uptown]

Martellus Bennett is the solution to a problem that the Patriots don’t have - Pats Pulpit

 

[Ivan]

My pre game thought is that I truly hate Sunday Night games.

 

[TedyB54]

There's nothing more uncertain in New England than trying to predict the Pats and Broncos in Denver.

Yep, agree 100%. This has the feel of one of those maddening games where an opponent that hasn't been playing well suddenly brings their A+ game against the Patriots. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if Osweiler has a mistake free game and is hitting open receivers all night long. Then he'll throw 4 INTs in Denver's next game and the Broncos will lose by 3 TDs.

So, as already stated by many, it would really be nice to see the Pats get up early on Denver and keep them from gaining any sort of momentum.

 

[maineman209]

Interesting what's been happening with the spread this morning. Many books have gone from Pats -7.5 to Pats -7, and three have been as low as Pats -6.5.

The O/U is also down from 46.5 to 44.

 

[luuked]

I am expecting a game where the two keys on D are stopping the run and not giving up too many deep balls to Osweiler. Because the deep throw is the only thing he really is competent at.

Which means I think we will once again give him the short and intermediate and make him proof he can play an error free game continously targeting those areas. This will predictably lead to another meltdown for people that live to whine about the defense because his stats will look average-to-good depending on how much garbage time he will have to pad.

On offense I hope for a nice mix of screens, seam throws, runs and the occasional play action deep dagger to Cooks, Dorsett or Gronk.

Unless we turn the ball over at least twice more than the Broncos I dont think the game will ever be close even if the score wont necessarily reflect it for the first 2-3 quarters. And if we play from ahead I doubt that Bradys stats will look particularly impressive.

It all feels like one of those grind out games to me. Cant wait to see how wrong I am and BB/McD/Matty P zigging into a totally different direction.

 

[maineman209]

The Pats front seven needs to play very good edge-contain tonight, shed well and tackle.

The Pats secondary needs to keep everything in front of them, while also watching for comebacks and out-routes. They also need to tackle very well.

The Pats offense needs to get creative, especially with mis-direction on running plays.

 

[long distance]

Interesting what's been happening with the spread this morning. Many books have gone from Pats -7.5 to Pats -7, and three have been as low as Pats -6.5.

The O/U is also down from 46.5 to 44.

Must have heard this report:



I wonder if any throws are left in this Heist tinkered playbook.. (he was actually lucky in PHI not to have more INTs..)

 

[Brewskies]

Sorry to hear Hogan out Brady needs him. Amendola and Bennett playing injured if at all. Cooks and Dorsett need a big night.

 

[Froob]

Game day at last, just wanna say I really appreciate this board and the community Ian has allowed to foster here. Been a rough week for me and it’s really special to be able to come here and BS with you folks and be able to have some laughs no matter what is going on outside the football world. Football wouldn’t be the same without Patsfans. Mushy stuff aside, now let’s go end Denver’s season!

 

[Uptown]

Amazingly, the highest paid QB in this game is Brock Osweiler

How Martellus Bennett's presence could affect others on Patriots' roster

 

[PP2]

The Pats front seven needs to play very good edge-contain tonight, shed well and tackle.

That's been a nightmare this entire season.

 

[Tony2046]

Watched a few denver games in the last couple of days.

I couldn't post as much video this week. (Not Joking) A freaking squirrel chewed through our cable. My internet connection went from a download speed of 75 to a sporadic 5-35. My dog caught and killed a squirrel the other day and left it's carcass in the backyard. I would like to think it's the same one.

Few game thoughts:

1. McKenzie has muffed or fumbled four punt returns this season. Will look to see how the Pats attack him.

2. Broncos run D and pass rush is one of the best in the league as noted above but their secondary can be taken advantage of if the O line gives Brady enough time. IF the Broncos D continues to overload the box and leaves both Dorsett and Cooks in a 2 vs 3 look (2 Cb's + FS help), it could create opportunities for some big plays. If Brady has time.

3. Although the Broncos are a top run D I think they are more susceptible to Zone blocking than Man. I expect to see similar run attempts as we saw in Tampa. Gillislee +Lewis.

4. Shutting down the Broncos running game seems like the first priority. Brock doesn't win games on his own. I guess we will see a lot of Harris. It's a shame M. Brown is out today.

5. Weird **** always seems to happen in Denver.

 

[RobertWeathers]

5. Weird **** always seems to happen in Denver.

No thoughtful and comprehensive analysis would be complete without this

 

[Pats1989]

Brady hasn't been " great" in a few games. I want to see 450 yards passing with 4 td's.

 

[Dr Pain]

I am thinking of the regular season game there two years ago which was the worst called/most ref biased game I ever saw. Even the photo on the cover of Sports Illustrated showed a massive hold not called. This game cost the Patriots a trip to the SB in 15 as the playoff game was later in Denver as a result

 

[BobDigital]

The last few times the Pats played Denver Von Miller has been a non-factor. Much of that has to do with Cannon who shouldn't be playing today.

The only thing that worries me is if he gets a free release and a sack/fumble happens. Denver is very dangerous as a front runner. They know how to sit on a lead with that D.

 

[Bradyking12]

I am thinking of the regular season game there two years ago which was the worst called/most ref biased game I ever saw. Even the photo on the cover of Sports Illustrated showed a massive hold not called. This game cost the Patriots a trip to the SB in 15 as the playoff game was later in Denver as a result View attachment 18541

Losing Gronk in that game didn't help either