Patriots vs Broncos Week

[obgod3]

• Bradley Roby can be exploited,
• Rahim Moore is average,
• T.J. Ward cannot play in coverage,
• The Broncos interior OL hasn't been as good as 2013,
• Ryan Clady hasn't fully recovered from his injury issues and his play isn't at his normal excellent level, &
• Outside of Von Miller, their LBs aren't much chop. Good system players but not game changers.

The Broncos are excellent on the Defensive Line and at their starting Corners. If the Patriots control the LOS, Brady can beat any defense.

OK makes sense, not sure I completely agree but good stuff.

Where I dont agree is controlling the line of scrimmage when the Pats are on Offense, not sure they can pull that off. Also I would debate Clady not being up to speed he looks pretty good from here, I do think Franklin can be taken advantage of.

Not sure about Ward but not worried about him either.

 

[ausbacker]

OK makes sense, not sure I completely agree but good stuff.

Where I dont agree is controlling the line of scrimmage when the Pats are on Offense. Also I would debate Clady not being up to speed he looks pretty good from here, I do think Franklin can be taken advantage of.

Not sure about Ward but not worried about him either.

I'm not that concerned because I see this as a contest between two evenly matched teams (perhaps a slight advantage to Denver). If anything, the Patriots have 3 advantages; Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and Foxboro. The key to offensive success will be to run the football. The Patriots need to run the football effectively. Knighton, Williams and Wolfe have been dominant for the Broncos up front. That said, they've also been on the right end of good fortune regarding offensive losses against them. No Jamaal Charles, no Ryan Mathews, no Carson Palmer etc.

This is the best O the Broncos will have faced. If they beat the Patriots, they deserve all the plaudits they get. It's games like these that the losses of Jones and Mayo may be most felt.

 

[obgod3]

The only thing is our run game, Denver is ranked #1 against the run in total yards, #5 in attempts at 3.4 per carry. If we had Riddley I would feel better. NE gives up 4.6 per carry, 22nd?

I'll tell ya I sure hope I'm wrong, I don't like the broncos and love to see them lose. I would love to see gronk go off on them.

 

[ausbacker]

The only thing is our run game, Denver is ranked #1 against the run in total yards, #5 in attempts at 3.4 per carry. If we had Riddley I would feel better. NE gives up 4.6 per carry, 22nd?

I'm fine with Jonas Gray. He's the bruising type of power back I've wanted for some time. It's more a matter of getting him acclimated to the speed of the NFL.

You're right though. The Patriots defense of the run game must improve. Denver will try and keep Brady on the sidelines with a ball control offense.

 

[zipster9]

What is the game plan against Peyton?

It seems every time we play him, we cannot seem to break thru his offensive line to pressure him.

I remember some games against the steelers (when cowher was coach) that their DL would over-load one side (left or right).

 

[Crononaut]

I read the article. Most of the valid underlying points were ruined by the pom poms in his hands while he was typing it.

I think they have a great defense, but Schein goes over the top in praising them then glosses over any meaningful analysis. Frankly, I think our defense is better overall.

They destroy us on the defensive line and ability to get to the quarterback, no question there. And our run defense has been suspect at best. Neither of these weaknesses are the key to beating Peyton Manning.

I believe our secondary is better at every position except for SS, which I have closer than most. TJ Ward and Chung are both liabilities in pass coverage, Ward is just more physical.

Obviously Von Millers biggest strength at linebacker is the passrush, and Brandon Marshall looked solid on Thursday, but other than Miller I think our starting trio is superior to the rest of the Donkey's LB's with Trevaythan out (certainly Collins and Hightower).

If the offense is in sync like they were Sunday, there's a lot of mismatch opportunities. How many people do they cover Gronk with? Wright? Do you put Talib on Lafell or Gronk? I think if the O-line can give Brady even 3 seconds it'll be enough time for the offense to operate.

Someone mentioned in another thread that BB built this defense specifically to match up with the Broncos, and I think it does.

I'm not saying I expect them to blow the Broncos out Sunday, but I think the battle is much more competitive than that article gives it credit for, and I do have confidence we can win.

 

[ausbacker]

What is the game plan against Peyton?

It seems every time we play him, we cannot seem to break thru his offensive line to pressure him.

I remember some games against the steelers (when cowher was coach) that their DL would over-load one side (left or right).

Defend the run and collapse/move the pocket forcing Manning to move from his spot. I have faith our Secondary can compete with the skill position players of the Broncos.

 

[obgod3]

Was just over looking at the Broncos boards, they worry about gronk, they should, talk about doubling him, not sure that's a good plan either because you take someone out of coverage or pass rush. Or that let's Wright roam around. They think Harris will be on Edelman, Talib on lafell or gronk and cite Talib shutting down graham last year.

But one thing they are right on, get to Brady and he will start dancing. I sure hope our O line can handle it. Probably my greatest worry.

 

[ausbacker]

Was just over looking at the Broncos boards, they worry about gronk, they should, talk about doubling him, not sure that's a good plan either because you take someone out of coverage or pass rush. Or that let's Wright roam around. They think Harris will be on Edelman, Talib on lafell or gronk and cite Talib shutting down graham last year.

But one thing they are right on, get to Brady and he will start dancing. I sure hope our O line can handle it. Probably my greatest worry.

I sincerely hope the Broncos try matching Aqib Talib against Gronk. That is a match up the Patriots win.

Gronk is a tad more physical than Jimmy Graham. Just a tad...

 

[Archeryaddict12]

I sincerely hope the Broncos try matching Aqib Talib against Gronk. That is a match up the Patriots win.

Gronk is a tad more physical than Jimmy Graham. Just a tad...

Tad? Gronk will take talib over his leg and smash that hip crybaby into a million pieces. If talib goes on gronk, brady will shred that D imo.

 

[Archeryaddict12]

Was just over looking at the Broncos boards, they worry about gronk, they should, talk about doubling him, not sure that's a good plan either because you take someone out of coverage or pass rush. Or that let's Wright roam around. They think Harris will be on Edelman, Talib on lafell or gronk and cite Talib shutting down graham last year.

But one thing they are right on, get to Brady and he will start dancing. I sure hope our O line can handle it. Probably my greatest worry.

Talib on gronk won't work. You can only double or triple gronk and hope of stopping him. But then it leaves someone wide open. It's almost like pick your poison.

 

[Froob]

I can't see us running on Denver. Brady is going to have to air it out to win this one. Ware and Miller are nasty kinda reminds me of Freeny and Mathis. BB always had creative ways to slow those two down hopefully he comes up with something. Shame this one isn't on NBC. Sims and Nantz are great but Collinsworth and Michaels are the best. Plus I love Rodney and Dungy going at it at the half.

 

[zipster9]

Talib on gronk won't work. You can only double or triple gronk and hope of stopping him. But then it leaves someone wide open. It's almost like pick your poison.

Anyone, as long as it is not Bernard Pollard !

 

[PatriotsInGA]

I think the biggest glaring stat is that the Broncos have never beaten the Patriots while Gronk has been on the field. They simply cannot cover him. They can rush Brady and double Gronk, but then Jules or LaFell will end up running a dump off play on single coverage for a good chunk of yards. I am not worried about the Pats offense. The Pats defense on the other hand will be the decider in this game IMO

 

[JarOfMayo51]

Denver has the number 1 ranked rush defense. The patriots will have to beat them through the air.

Honestly I think a big part of that is because of Denver's offense scoring so many points, most teams have to abandon the running game trying to keep pace.

Its based purely on total yards, and if the opponent is always playing from behind they're going to be passing it more than running.

 

[patsfanincleveland]

If our D can't stop the run...Hillman will have himself a great game..over 100 if we don't change some things. If he has over 100 i think the pats lose...becasue that will mean the PA will be deadly for them

The Broncos ran for 280 yards last year.

It did them squat.

 

[patsfanincleveland]

What are the weaknesses? Not trying to be a **** but how about a little more? I personally only seen one at LB, and even them Marshall has been playing lights out. I think maybe their O line might have a kink in it but Manning is getting rid of the ball sub 3 seconds every play.[/QUO

So what?

Denver receivers are soft and show zero ability to handle press coverage.

The question you need to do is pull your head out of the donkey's rear and wonder how a lesser offense can handle this secondary.

As far as that defense, there are plenty of plays to be made.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

The Broncos ran for 280 yards last year.

It did them squat.

They had a much better rushing attack last year. But this year they are better running since Hillman has taken over

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

Talib on gronk won't work. You can only double or triple gronk and hope of stopping him. But then it leaves someone wide open. It's almost like pick your poison.

That what they will do. Talib won't be on gronk..no chance unless del rio doesn't take his meds which actually could happen.

But they should double gronk and make someone else beat them 1v1. That's what i would do. Take away our best weapon at all cost and see if edelman and lafell can take the game over.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

This isn't about 'shutting down' the list of Denver's receivers. The Patriots have the horses in the secondary to bring about a sufficient amount of incompletions. They may not 'shut down' but that isn't required. What's necessary is the D getting off the field on third down a sufficient amount of times. What will go a long way in helping that is the D line/front 7 keeping the Denver running game to reasonable amounts.

For the Patriots this game is about the lines. Does the OL give TB good protection and extra time? Does the DL stop the run to force more, and obvious, passing downs?