Patriots Pregame Thread Pre-Game thread - 2025 AFC Championship at Denver Broncos

Actual Pats Fan · Jan 20, 2026

VJCPatriot said:
Playing on the road is always tough. But this season's edition of the Patriots are the best road warriors in the NFL.

The Patriots are undefeated on the road which is crazy but true. They went 8-0 in the regular season on the road.

That just shows you what a great mental makeup they have and it starts from the top down. Vrabel has give this team a culture where they are not intimidated by anyone and are very well prepared even under adverse conditions.

The Patriots defense is also playing lights out in the playoffs and that usually fuels deep playoff runs when we judge by historic standards.

I know playing in Denver won't be easy. Thin air, hostile environment, crowd factor, etc.

But for good reason, I have confidence this version of the Patriots has a very good chance of winning and advancing to the Superbowl.

I don't believe Maye will have 3 mediocre performances in a row. But he does need to take care of the ball better and we need to protect him better against Denver.

Did you know that Denver's defense has the LOWEST amount of sacks in the entire NFL? They recorded only 23 for the year which is tied for dead last with the Rams. However that only measures how often they actually got the QB to the turf. In terms of defensive pressures the Broncos ranked 3rd in the NFL with a 41.8% pressure rate. They also managed a 39.7% no blitz pressure rate, good for 3rd in the NFL. This means they don't need to rely on the blitz to apply that pressure.

On top of the DL applying pressure they are very good against the run. They are 2nd in the entire NFL in terms of total rushing yards given up this season. So running the ball against them is going to be a tall order. Their pass defense was 11th in yards given up and only gave up 18 passing TDs good for 3rd in the league.

Overall this feels like another defensive matchup. Which defense can suppress the opposing offense better will likely end up the difference in this game. The main difference is I've seen Maye make some big plays when he needs to against an elite Texans defense. I have serious doubts Stidham can do the same against an elite Patriots defense.

Very good post, but Maye has not been mediocre. Few, if any, other quarterbacks can or would have made the plays these last two games he's made to win. Perfection is not realistic and should not be expected; he will continue to learn for several years coming, but for now he is more than good enough. I believe his only problem has been sensing the rush and then needing to simply step up before throwing. He is now playing the best defenses he's seen in his short professional career. Winning is the measure of success.

Uptown · Jan 20, 2026

Great because Denver’s OL weakness is in the interior. Our DL strength is in the interior…

Game. Set. Match..

Uptown · Jan 20, 2026

Uptown · Jan 20, 2026

Actual Pats Fan · Jan 20, 2026

ScottishPatriots said:
I have a bad feeling about this game, horrible Brock Osweiler vibes.

Every time we're in Denver something seems to go wrong, someone muffs a punt or the ref botches a call or someone drops a pass or fumbles.

Bad times.

Tom Jackson's mauling of Steve Grogan n 11/11/79, an eternity after the ball had already been stripped loose would be more than enough grounds for assault if it didn't happen on a football field, and even then a personal foul should have been called.

Mosi Tatupu's uncharacteristic late fumble on 11/4/84 took a win away for new coach Raymond Berry and kept them out of the playoffs.

A series of miserable losses including the playoff on 1/4/87 involved suicidally starting Tony Eason over Steve Grogan and Doug Flutie.

I will chronicle the misery this century in a subsequent post.

scott99 · Jan 20, 2026

Uptown said:

I mentioned this in another thread. Such a weird phenomenon, where this seemed to happen in almost EVERY game. I would say it’s a case of him getting used to the defenses and improving in the second half, but it happened in reverse in several games this year where he had great 1st halves, and mediocre 2nd halves. It really is a mystery, it’s bizarre.

I would love to see him have a solid, 60 minute game where he stops making those deadly mistakes, I guess the last Jet’s game would be an example. So far, he’s gotten away with them thanks to his defense, but they can’t save him every game, and will lead to a loss, whether in the AFCCG or in the SB if they are good enough to get there. Hopefully if they win, he has his best game of the year in the SB. A full 60 minutes of good football, no naps (sorry to use that Vrabel).

UGAPatsfan · Jan 20, 2026

scott99 said:
I mentioned this in another thread. Such a weird phenomenon, where this seemed to happen in almost EVERY game. I would say it’s a case of him getting used to the defenses and improving in the second half, but it happened in reverse in several games this year where he had great 1st halves, and mediocre 2nd halves. It really is a mystery, it’s bizarre.

I would love to see him have a solid, 60 minute game where he stops making those deadly mistakes, I guess the last Jet’s game would be an example. So far, he’s gotten away with them thanks to his defense, but they can’t save him every game, and will lead to a loss, whether in the AFCCG or in the SB if they are good enough to get there. Hopefully if they win, he has his best game of the year in the SB. A full 60 minutes of good football, no naps (sorry to use that Vrabel).

Literally of he just stops ****ing fumbling I’m good.

Wingy · Jan 20, 2026

Triumph said:

In other words:
Gonna be a long day, Courtland Sutton.

Actual Pats Fan · Jan 20, 2026

sb1 said:
Just win a big game in Denver for once. So annoying that the Mile High jinx is a thing. Enough already

On 9/29/68 the Patriots beat former Pats & Bills coach Lou Saban's Broncos at Mile High, 20-17, with Jim Whalen catching a 14-yard TD pass, Larry Garron scoring on a 1-yard TD rush and Gino Cappelletti kicking two field goals.

On 10/1/2000 the Patriots beat the Broncos at Mile High, 28-19, for Bill Belichick's first victory as Patriots head coach, with Drew Bledsoe throwing four TD passes. Also Tom Brady's first win as a roster member on a pro team.

So, the Patriots' Mile High jinx lasted 32 years, much longer than the Orange Bowl jinx, which was more notorious for its annual divisional matchups and the dumbfounding plethora of ways the Patriots managed to keep losing there.

Pats have gone 5-4 at Denver since in the regular season, including winning the last three straight. The playoffs, however have been a different matter, with the Pats 0-4 all-time there. Our postseason failures there have been self-inflicted.

DaBruinz · Jan 20, 2026

Rob0729 said:
A GM doesn't select players in a vacuum. They rely on the coaches to help make selections. Many head coaches, probably including Vrabel, have more power in the final say. No GM is left to their own devices. At least no GM that is successful. Roster building, at least by competent teams, is a collaborative effort. In fact, Belichick got himself in trouble by not being collaborative which had him passing on Lamar Jackson and taking N'Keal Harry over AJ Brown and Deebo Samuel.

Not every single player had a tie to Vrabel and his staff. A lot did, some didn't. But that is common with new coaching staffs. They want to bring in players that know their system and have buy in. But there was a story earlier in the year that said that Vrabel sat in with Wolf and his scouting staff that recommended Tonga and Woodson. But it isn't telling that most of the free agents had ties to Vrabel and his coaching staff. It would have been unusual if it wasn't the case.

If you're going to be like Andy and make s**t up that wasn't said, then you should just stop responding.

"I think it's very telling that every single player signed during the 2025 Free Agency had direct ties to someone that Vrabel brought in. "

The above is what I said. Not what YOU claimed I said. Do you understand that the 2025 Free Agency timeframe refers to a very specific set of players? No. You clearly don't since you misquoted me. And it's interesting you couldn't be bothered to provide an example. Just the typical Andy Hallmark of "Because I said so".

It was considered VERY unusual the number that had direct ties to Vrabel and the Staff.

Actual Pats Fan · Jan 20, 2026

UGAPatsfan said:
Literally of he just stops ****ing fumbling I’m good.

Drake fumbles. No one, including himself, is happy about it. Perhaps he'll learn to do it less as time goes on.

But today, I take the good with the bad. He wins.

When I think of clutch quarterbacks I trust to win a game, among them are Bobby Layne, Joe Namath, Jim Plunkett and Steve Grogan. All threw more career picks than TD's.

Actual Pats Fan · Jan 20, 2026

TheRainMaker said:
Can't expect 5 turnovers again. And the Pats dodged a bullet beating a team by 12 when they only scored 7 points off that many turnovers.

I'm not taking Denver lightly with Stidham. I've seen too many assholes over the years that have derailed team's seasons trying to be a one game hero. Expect Stidham to be an ******* Sunday throwing passes he probably shouldn't put will have that "I don't give a F" mentality.

Broncos pass rush has the ability to do the same thing the Texans did yesterday, so ball security is critical.

Ask the 49ers & Bills about Jeff Hostetler, or the Chargers about Gifford Nielsen.

Vindicate · Jan 20, 2026

TheRainMaker said:
Can't expect 5 turnovers again. And the Pats dodged a bullet beating a team by 12 when they only scored 7 points off that many turnovers.

I'm not taking Denver lightly with Stidham. I've seen too many assholes over the years that have derailed team's seasons trying to be a one game hero. Expect Stidham to be an ******* Sunday throwing passes he probably shouldn't put will have that "I don't give a F" mentality.

Broncos pass rush has the ability to do the same thing the Texans did yesterday, so ball security is critical.

I'd love for him to do that. I believe Vrabel can get the team focused to take advantage of that. This team has been dialed IN on turnover opportunities as of late.

I see Jones and Davis having a big game possibly.

StockingAnarchyNumber12 · Jan 20, 2026

How are we 14-3 in the AFCCG and some fans of other teams believe we are mediocre? The Patriots NEVER get credit

TommyD4207 · Jan 20, 2026

StockingAnarchyNumber12 said:
How are we 14-3 in the AFCCG and some fans of other teams believe we are mediocre? The Patriots NEVER get credit

Never will.
Just get that dub, and let them cry about it in the offseason.

mgteich · Jan 20, 2026

StockingAnarchyNumber12 said:
How are we 14-3 in the AFCCG and some fans of other teams believe we are mediocre? The Patriots NEVER get credit

I find it truly sad that patriot fans are so needy of respect from fans of other teams.

This has been the case at least since the beginning of the century.

One-If-By-Sea · Jan 20, 2026

StockingAnarchyNumber12 said:
How are we 14-3 in the AFCCG and some fans of other teams believe we are mediocre? The Patriots NEVER get credit

We are 16 - 3.

Nikolai · Jan 20, 2026

Bills got ballwashed...they're in Cancun.
Jags got ballwashed...they're in Cancun.
49ers got ballwashed...they're in Cancun.
Texans got ballwashed...they're in Cancun.

Pats got disrespected...they're in pads in the polar vortex of Foxboro with a flight booked to the world's weirdest airport.

I'm good with it.

DomCasual · Jan 21, 2026

jimnance said:
Yup

I told my son in the beginning of September (I think it was 07) that if the Rockies got to the World Series, we'd get tickets and make a road trip out (we're in the Salt Lake City area, but my family all still lives in Denver). I think they had won two out of the last three, and were 7 or 8 games back - so it was pretty much tongue-in-cheek. Well, the Rockies almost never lost another game. They snuck into a game 163 tiebreaker game with the Padres, won that, and then swept their way to the World Series.

I paid an obscene amount for tickets to game five. But I thought, "You know, if they somehow stay this hot, it would suck to have tickets to game five and watch them sweep." So, I picked up tickets to game four, and you bastards swept us. We sat right behind home plate as Papelbon (who I hated with the fire of a thousand suns) struck out Seth Smith, and the Red Sox celebrated.

I think we win that series if you guys didn't take so long the win the ALCS. We ended up having something like thirteen days between game 4 of the NLCS and game 1 of the World Series. And we just lost the magic - a totally different team. Bad times, man.

Guts · Jan 21, 2026

StockingAnarchyNumber12 said:
How are we 14-3 in the AFCCG and some fans of other teams believe we are mediocre? The Patriots NEVER get credit

Dawg even to this day Brady/BBs Pats are underrated lol

2K	54K

103	4K

Patriots Pregame Thread Pre-Game thread - 2025 AFC Championship at Denver Broncos

Pro Bowl Player

Hall of Fame Poster

Hall of Fame Poster

Hall of Fame Poster

Pro Bowl Player

Veteran Starter w/Big Long Term Deal

Experienced Starter w/First Big Contract

Practice Squad Player

Pro Bowl Player

Pats, B's, Sox

Pro Bowl Player

Pro Bowl Player

In the Starting Line-Up

Experienced Starter w/First Big Contract

Pro Bowl Player

PatsFans.com Veteran

PatsFans.com Supporter

Football Atheist

Rookie

Akatsuki

Similar threads

📅 This Week in Patriots History: