What is your confidence level for the AFC Championship Game?

[Ring 6]

No turnovers, Pats win. Denver defense? Giants had over 400 yards total offense and only lost because of some borderline penalty calls/noncalls and a missed PAT. Denver got blown out for 2 1/2 quarters and then the woeful Giants collapsed. Bills were the better team last week and only lost because of Josh Allen heroball and the “interception.” We should be playing the Bills at home.

I’m not buying the Broncos hype. Stidham will be adequate (but no more) because the OL is very good and it’s the only area where Denver is clearly better than NE: now they get to play against Barmore, Williams, Tonga and Chaisson, all of whom are surging, backed up by Spillane, the most underrated LB in the NFL. Good luck with that. Denver defense has come back to earth because the second level is relatively slow and the DL can be moved. They have a pass rusher, a corner and a LB. After that, meh.

Pats have the better STs and coaching staff.

Home field, Mile High, bad playoff history, rubbish? Everyone forgets the Patriots won EVERY road game they played this year, including wins over the Bills, Bucs and Ravens.

We’re winning this game, unless Drake gets knocked out of the game, or it’s straight up rigged. I don't think Payton will target him, but it also wouldn't shock me given the history. Let’s hope for a clean game all around.

Pats by 10.

Denver had 14 take aways all season, 26th in the nfl.

 

[Jim Plunkett]

On your third post here you imply the Pats will win because the league will fix it to make it so, because they don't want Stidham in the SB. That sets off trolling alarm bells. You have your opinion. I'll have mine.

If a team wins with a back who hasn't played for 3 years. I'm not buying it.

 

[QuantumMechanic]

"But what then of these Broncos? The Almighty may have struck down [one] of their quarterbacks but He has also blessed them with the advantage of altitude. Thin air, no air, I don't care! Suck it up and play a game!"

 

[mgcolby]

If a team wins with a back who hasn't played for 3 years. I'm not buying it.

Why would you misquote me like that? You need to correct that. My statement was "On your third post here you imply the Pats will win because the league will fix it to make it so, because they don't want Stidham in the SB. That sets off trolling alarm bells."

As long as Maye doesn't fall down and it's Devito. There shouldn't be anything other than Pats win.
I doubt the NFL will allow a Stidham super bowl.

That bolded statement of yours clearly implies you believe the NFL will cheat to ensure the Patriots make it to the super bowl. There is no other way to read that statement. Speaking as if you are a fan of the team then giving a backhanded comment is classic troll behavior.

But congratulations you have won the day. I have now responded to you multiple times like an idiot.

 

[Joey007]

Except that just means they will blitz more aka send more than they can block so their rookie back will have to protect and they are weak at C. I am curious how well Stidham reads blitzes.

Experience and a great offensive coach definitely helps there. I could see him handling it better than we think.

Bigger thing will be if he has a running game to help support him. They haven’t particularly had an effective attack recently, they only ran for 3 YPC against a Bills run defense that’s pretty susceptible.

 

[Jim Plunkett]

Why would you misquote me like that? You need to correct that. My statement was "On your third post here you imply the Pats will win because the league will fix it to make it so, because they don't want Stidham in the SB. That sets off trolling alarm bells."

That bolded statement of yours clearly implies you believe the NFL will cheat to ensure the Patriots make it to the super bowl. There is no other way to read that statement. Speaking as if you are a fan of the team then giving a backhanded comment is classic troll behavior.

But congratulations you have won the day. I have now responded to you multiple times like an idiot.

God, you're narcissistic. I didn't misquote you. I covered everything you're worried about in one sentence. All sports are being investigated for manipulation/fixing games. A billion dollar industry is not a childish , honest candy land. It doesn't matter who you're a fan of. The Pats should be favored by 14 in reality. I'm a 60 year old adult. I have my view. You have yours. It's not a gang war. It's a game you watch on TV.

 

[Zoomnbyu]

On your third post here you imply the Pats will win because the league will fix it to make it so, because they don't want Stidham in the SB. That sets off trolling alarm bells.

Based on the last 20 years there's more of a kernel of truth in that. Darnold V Stiddy would be a ratings trainwreck.

 

[mgcolby]

God, you're narcissistic. I didn't misquote you. I covered everything you're worried about in one sentence. All sports are being investigated for manipulation/fixing games. A billion dollar industry is not a childish , honest candy land. It doesn't matter who you're a fan of. The Pats should be favored by 14 in reality. I'm a 60 year old adult. I have my view. You have yours. It's not a gang war. It's a game you watch on TV.

Narcissistic? Seriously? And you did misquote me, you should go back and reread what I wrote and what you quoted me as saying. Maybe you accidentally typed in the last part meant as a reply. But its not my quote. And maybe I'll be proven wrong and you are who you say you are an actual Pats fan. So be it. NBA lots of shenanigans. But the NFL and the Super Bowl? I doubt it.

The entire world will essentially watch regardless of who is playing QB. I'm pulling a number out of my ass here but I would bet 50+ percent of the people who watch the SB couldn't name three players from either team and don't watch any other football games all season. It's a thing an event that folks want to be able to talk with coworkers about the next day and not be left out. The commercials the halftime show etc...with that said I believe the Pats win by double digits and win comfortably 14 is unrealistic in terms of line. We agree on that.

 

[Jim Plunkett]

Narcissistic? Seriously? And you did misquote me, you should go back and reread what I wrote and what you quoted me as saying. Maybe you accidentally typed in the last part meant as a reply. But its not my quote. And maybe I'll be proven wrong and you are who you say you are an actual Pats fan. So be it. NBA lots of shenanigans. But the NFL and the Super Bowl.

The entire world will essentially watch regardless of who is playing QB. I'm pulling a number out of my ass here but I would bet 50+ percent of the people who watch the SB couldn't name three players from either team and don't watch any other football games all season. It's a thing an event that folks want to be able to talk with coworkers about the next day and not be left out. The commercials the halftime show etc...with that said I believe the Pats win by double digits and win comfortably 14 is unrealistic in terms of line. We agree on that.

No one is going to watch, or want to watch Stidham vs Darnold. Why would I need to be a Pats fan? What difference does that make? Do you just want an echo chamber? I'm a Harold Jackson fan and he was a Patriot for a time. I liked Plunkett and Bledsoe and the big Patriot on the sleeve uniforms lol. Russ Francis, Steve Grogan.
I like the current Patriots helmet. But I'm a fan of the entire NFL and mostly older NFC teams.
Narcissistic= you like arguing for no necessary reason. Again, I'm 60. It's just a sports conversation. Not a gang war.
A different opinion isn't trolling. Do you only have friends who agree with all your political and religious views? I think zosts should win this game in both pretend worlds and the real world. I do not think they win SB. Does that make a troll or a honest observer with a opinion about sports?
Have a nice weekend, who ever you are.
Lol sorry for the rant.

 

[stephens44]

The Bronco's rushing attack was all Dobbins and Nix, without either of them I don't see them being able to run effectively at all. My guess is our D takes away Sutton and forces Stidham to try to beat us.
I think Denver's defense will be super aggressive, so "IF" we can force the issue and run effectively this one will be academic.

 

[Gumby]

I was in category 3; until I watched the Orlovsky clip the third time. (‘ Motion & bunches f-s up the Donkey D.’). Voted category 2.

 

[Triumph]

I believe the turnovers have been a function of bad play on the OL and Maye not being aware of the pressure enough to: take the sack or throw it away.

Yup, trying to be perfect.

 

[Triumph]

I was in category 3; until I watched the Orlovsky clip the third time. (‘ Motion & bunches f-s up the Donkey D.’). Voted category 2.

I believe that with Nix gone the Broncos D will try to do too much. Too aggressive. You know, in lieu of just knocking the ball away on a Maye pass, Denver will bite on the pick 6 and miss leading up to a big NE gain. You see it all the time. The same with fumbles. Instead of just falling on the ball, the D player tries to pick it up for the TD, but winds up losing the ball back to the offense.

And, those types of mistakes could lead to disaster for Denver.

 

[WhatJustHappened]

Tough start. Offense figures it out

 

[PancakeBlockPaul]

Losing this game in this situation would only give everyone else the ammo they want to “prove” this year was a fluke and down to the easy schedule. I want nothing less than a 50 burger on Den/LA/Sea but think the house of Horrors, refs, and ball security are in the way of obtaining that. Hopefully it won’t be a nasty game weather wise also.

Think we could ever see only three passes thrown with Maye and Co?

 

[Give Kraft A Hand]

The fact it really is a pick ‘em game without Bo Nix means bettors have bought into the Stidham = Peyton Manning hype.

 

[Gumby]

The fact it really is a pick ‘em game without Bo Nix means bettors have bought into the Stidham = Peyton Manning hype.

Are they betting the spread or the win though?
I could see a real lot of folks thinking there will not be a blowout either way.

I of course am of the other opinion…Pats > Donkeys by 2.5 scores (15-17).