Patriots need to finish drives with TDs while Broncos kick FGs

[goheels22002]

Looking back at that Pittsburgh - Denver Divisional round game, it jumps out that the Broncos kicked five field goals, and finished just one drive with a rushing TD.

At home.

When Manning got down to the 30 or so, and the defense compressed into a smaller space, his underneath stuff became much less effective. He just doesn't have the zip on the ball to take shots at the end zone where defenders are able to limit time and space.

Manning didn't connect for a single TD pass and forced his kicker, Brandon McManus, to connect on FGs from 28, 41, 51, 41, and 45 yards. Only one of those kicks was snapped from within the Red Zone. Credit goes to the Steelers defense for keeping the Broncos out of the end zone. But, Denver is playing with fire if they think they will be able to squeak one out against the Patriots offense.

More here: AFC title may come down to kickers

 

[RIpats88]

Broncos have only scored 1 td in 23 offensive drives in the playoffs this year and last....also, brady has more TD passes in Denver this year than manning does.

If patriots can finish drives early and keep the broncos to field goals, I think we have a chance of opening this game up where the refs wont even matter

 

[DarrylS]

7 is always better than 3, is was foretold in the Monty Python Classic, Holy Grail..

And the Lord spake, saying, First shalt thou take out the Holy Pin. Then shalt thou count to three, no more, no less. Three shall be the number thou shalt count, and the number of the counting shall be three. Four shalt thou not count, neither count thou two, excepting that thou then proceed to three. Five is right out! Once the number three, being the third number, be reached, then lobbest thou thy Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch towards thy foe, who, being naughty in my sight, shall snuff it.

 

[TheRazorsEdge]

It is absolutely positively excruciatingly important that the Patriots come out and pile on points early IDC how it happens, TDs,FGs,Safeties ,Pick 6s etc.

The second most important thing is to key Hightower fresh and healthy. He was a destructive force the first game, and his injury isnt discussed enough. The Broncos could not move at all on the ground on his watch. Having him all game is extremely important to be able to limit or fight back against late game heroics.

If the score is close down the stretch , we will be at a huge disadvantage (being away, Phoneline to NY so Goodells Croonies make final call on penalties). In this situation is where the horror stories of Denver, Bias vs Pats from the league , conspiracy theories will creep in.

No excuses as of now (with no knowledge of the final injury reports ).Let Brady be Brady, Stop the Run, Cali.

 

[RIpats88]

I just cant see the broncos defense stopping brady from being brady and the pats offense from humming....KC had the #1 defense in their 11 game win streak and brady shredded them.

Denvers secondary is pretty beat up. outside of Talib, Harris is not going to be effective with 1 arm, and after that I dont think Roby and their 4th, 5th best DB's match up well with amendola, white. If the OL gives brady 2 seconds then I think the offense hums.

Denver knows if they have to get in a shootout they cant win...because manning cant keep up anymore

 

[Sicilian]

I think two or three of those field goals came from drives that STARTED already in field goal range, and the Broncos couldn't even get a first down. I think if the offense is moving the ball and doesn't turn it over, we've got a reasonable chance to stop their offense before the field goals too.

 

[RIpats88]

I think two or three of those field goals came from drives that STARTED already in field goal range, and the Broncos couldn't even get a first down. I think if the offense is moving the ball and doesn't turn it over, we've got a reasonable chance to stop their offense before the field goals too.

yeah, the steelers punter was hilariously bad....I think he had a 14 yard punt at one point if I remember. and most of his punts were 25yards

 

[chasa]

The game in november while a loss, should be seen as a huge confidence booster. between the ****ty reffing, the weather, and being down the top three targets for brady, the patriots STILL took them to overtime.

This could be a blowout. It all depends on his much money goodel has offered the refs to force it the broncos way.

 

[SammyBlueCat]

*** TURNOVERS ***
-Do not lose any
- Take a few

 

[TinhWoodhead]

yeah, the steelers punter was hilariously bad....I think he had a 14 yard punt at one point if I remember. and most of his punts were 25yards

broncos shouldve give game ball to him

 

[letekro]

It is absolutely positively excruciatingly important that the Patriots come out and pile on points early IDC how it happens, TDs,FGs,Safeties ,Pick 6s etc.

The second most important thing is to key Hightower fresh and healthy. He was a destructive force the first game, and his injury isnt discussed enough. The Broncos could not move at all on the ground on his watch. Having him all game is extremely important to be able to limit or fight back against late game heroics.

If the score is close down the stretch , we will be at a huge disadvantage (being away, Phoneline to NY so Goodells Croonies make final call on penalties). In this situation is where the horror stories of Denver, Bias vs Pats from the league , conspiracy theories will creep in.

No excuses as of now (with no knowledge of the final injury reports ).Let Brady be Brady, Stop the Run, Cali.

Great points. I sure hope we can just blow their doors off, but unfortunately I think we are in for a nailbiter along the lines of Raiders '01, Titans '03 and Ravens '14. If we win such a game will be battle hardened for SB 50. If we can't, we don't deserve to be there anyway.

 

[aluminum seats]

Broncos have only scored 1 td in 23 offensive drives in the playoffs this year and last....also, brady has more TD passes in Denver this year than manning does.

If patriots can finish drives early and keep the broncos to field goals, I think we have a chance of opening this game up where the refs wont even matter

I heard that stat about Brady having more touchdown passes in Denver this year the Manning, that's crazy.

Here's to this game being comfortably out of reach by the fourth quarter… Don't have to worry about altitude, and it would be nice just to kick back and enjoy it. Of course, I'll take a win however it happens.

 

[Gronk]

yeah, the steelers punter was hilariously bad....I think he had a 14 yard punt at one point if I remember. and most of his punts were 25yards

There were a couple kicked out of bounds late 1st half where it was extra hilarious to watch the sideline ref just keep going...and going...and going deeper into Steeler territory

The Pats will likely have some 3 and outs and short drives where they just don't get it going and Allen/coverage will need to do a good job of winning field position battle

Of course I'd rather be wrong and have them rack up 56 pts and not have to punt

 

[TheRazorsEdge]

Great points. I sure hope we can just blow their doors off, but unfortunately I think we are in for a nailbiter along the lines of Raiders '01, Titans '03 and Ravens '14. If we win such a game will be battle hardened for SB 50. If we can't, we don't deserve to be there anyway.

I'm not so sure we will BLOW the doors off so to speak but just get ahead enough where the Run game for them is minimized and Manning has to rely on his arm to win. If we end up winning 21-10 I wouldn't exactly call it a blow out , but it would fit the formula I laid out.

The key is to STOP THE RUN/Hightower... We were on our way to a victory vs them a few months ago..Hightower got hurt and their run game came alive and the rest is history. You HAVE to force Peyton to beat you with his arm, if its a close game , I'll be worried a bad call or missed tackle will be the ball game.

On offense, they couldn't really do much defensively with just gronk on the field until late (where their offense was keeping Brady off the field until late). With Je11, Amendola, Gronk back...and the growth of James White.. Their defense doesn't really worry me.