Who's your x factor for both teams Sunday

ausbacker said:

Branch and Brown

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That automatically flashes Deion and Troy in my head.

Brady_to_Moss said:

If DEN OL folds like I have seen recently...same thing...W

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Thats the key thing that Schereth said today. Granted, hes a dink but 1) hes not bashful about supporting the Broncos and 2) he knows line play and he slammed Denver for crappy line play and its a major concern going into this game.

Gronk Gronk, and more Gronk.

The true x-factor for the Pats is a variety of potentially re-aggravated injuries. To name a few: Vollmer, Gronkowski, Edelman, Hightower, Collins, McCourty. If all those guys can finish the game, I think the Pats will win. If one of them goes down, it's big trouble.

The guy in the pile who goes Graig Nettles & Micky Rivers on Harris's arm.

robertweathers said:

Thats the key thing that Schereth said today. Granted, hes a dink but 1) hes not bashful about supporting the Broncos and 2) he knows line play and he slammed Denver for crappy line play and its a major concern going into this game.

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He was right..their OL is struggle city right now. Ours was but with JE back..it comes out of Bradys hands .5 seconds faster..big difference

Brady_to_Moss said:

He was right..their OL is struggle city right now. Ours was but with JE back..it comes out of Bradys hands .5 seconds faster..big difference

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JE is the best pass protector on the roster.

fnordcircle said:

Yeah - came here to say Hochuli.

The over/under on the number of times he's gonna call a ticky tack penalty on us and miss obvious **** by Denver is 4.

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I'm taking the over. Not even close.

X factor, I'll take three: Hicks and Hightower and Sheard. I'd take the entire D but I think those three will be key to stopping the run. Stopping Denver's zone run scheme will win the game.

X factor to me is health of Collins and HT. Those guys MUST be out there the entire game. Without them the Donks can get their offense moving on the ground.

No X factor......just a killer and a corpse

turkeyneck said:

That automatically flashes Deion and Troy in my head.

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Let's hope they both enjoy the same level of Patriots success as their predecessor namesakes!

Chandler Jones. If he can bring it and Sheard and Nink on passing downs, we shut it all down.

The defense. Everyone must show up and play well especially Butler and Ryan. The Broncos are probably mad because they are underdogs and will try to make a statement early. The Pats must match their intensity.

X-factor to me means someone under the radar to step up and make a big play or three.

I would agree with James White. I also like Chung to have a good game.

Brady, period.

If Brady has a good game the Patriots win because Manning isn't putting over up 30+.


This is a strange match up because the rivalry of contemporary equals ends up with one retiring by nationally acclaim while the other will keep going for some time to come. Its adios Peyton and see you next season Tom. And make no mistake they will be loaded next season and there will only be one or two teams challenging them, K.C. And Pittsburgh high on that list.

For our Patriots: Keshawn Martin
For the Broncos: Brandon McManus (because our D will keep holding Denver to FG's... )

Hightower and, specifically, Hightower's health is the fulcrum on which this game's outcome pivots. Kubiak is going to run and run a lot to take the ball out of Peyton's hands. Hightower needs to withstand the onslaught. If he stays in, healthy enough to be effective against the run, then Kubiak will be forced to having Manning throw and I think we feast once that happens. If High gets dinged and loses effectiveness or has to come out then Kubiak will dial up even more run. I hope our LB depth is up to the challenge.

For the Patriots, Collins. He didn't play in the first Denver game, and I can envision this being a day where he helps stop the run with a well timed blitz, sacks Peyton Manning, and has to cover Daniels from time to time. He could have an impact at every level if he's on his game.

For the Broncos, it's Derek Wolfe. He had a good game against us last time, and the only chance to get to Brady when he has all his weapons is through quick, interior pressure. He has the ability to do that.

Tunescribe said:

My X factor for the Patriots is the running game. If they somehow can manage to eke out 80-100 yards on the ground (a tall order), New England wins.

For Denver, naturally Chris Harris.

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I don't think the Pats are going to run the ball except as a minor decoy from here on out. With Gronk and Edelman on the field Brady just can't be stopped. I think the coaches know that and they know that our run game is lacking. I thought they would run more last week, but seeing Edelman and Gronk out there together just made me realize how foolish that is. If the passing game is moving the ball I think it's all Brady, with the occasional run to keep them honest. 40+ passes and 20 rushes (or less) is what I'm expecting.

My X-factor a little old lady who goes by the name ... Mother Nature.