Patriots – Broncos Key Matchups, Who Has the Razor’s Edge?
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Broncos RBs vs NE Front Seven – Razor’s Edge New England
The Broncos run the zone blocking scheme that Gary Kubiak has used in his various stops in the league. They have been inconsistent although the past week’s game in Chicago they doubled their production from the previous two games.
Ronnie Hillman will be the guy to stop this week along with C.J. Anderson who has struggled for the most part this year after stepping up nicely for them in 2014. Hillman had his third 100-yard performance of the season on Sunday. Kubiak wants to run the football and with a new QB at the helm, having a strong running game is essential to his success.
The Patriots defense has been outstanding against the run and is currently ranked 2nd in the NFLallowing only 88.8 yards per game. The tackle rotation with Alan Branch, Malcom Brown, Dominique Easley and Sealver Siliga has been stout at the point of attack. They’ve stuffed teams at the line of scrimmage which has allowed the LBs to come up and make plays by attacking the gaps.
This Broncos zone blocking scheme will be something different for the defense this week but the Pats have faced this before. It should be an interesting matchup to see how this one plays out. But the NE defense has shut down many other potent rushing attacks lately.
Broncos WRs vs NE Secondary- Razor’s Edge New England
Osweiler is making just his second NFL start but played very impressively against the Bears. He got the Broncos tight ends heavily involved in the passing game hitting Vernon Davis and Owen Daniels on 137 of his 250 passing yards. He hit Demaryius Thomas for a 48-yard touchdown on the opening drive further bolstering his confidence. This week they should get back the dangerous Emmanuel Sanders which would give the Broncos an extra dimension in the passing game.
The Patriots pass defense has been much better than anticipated in 2015. CBs Malcolm Butler and Logan Ryan have been very solid and the pass rush from the front seven has been much improved. The rush will have to be on the mark this week with edge rushers Chandler Jones, Rob Ninkovich and Jabaal Sheard bringing heat on Osweiler this week who is mobile and can move around the pocket.
The key here is without Jamie Collins again how well will the Pats cover the Denver tight ends? And with the third corner Justin Coleman expected to miss this week’s tilt again, how will the Patriots defend that third WR option. Last week they pressed safeties Pat Chung and Tavon Wilson into 3rd CB duties. Against a very good group of Denver receivers that could spell trouble if Osweiler gets the time to find his third and fourth options in his progressions.
Special Teams- Razor’s Edge New England
The Patriots have one of the best special teams units in the league with an outstanding pair of kickers in Stephen Gostkowski and Ryan Allen. Allen has a 41.2 yard net punting average with just one touchback on the year. Their coverage units are strong although they’ll miss the punt return abilities of both Edelman and Amendola this week.
The Broncos have a solid kicker in Brandon McManus who has a very strong leg as well as punter Brandon Colquitt who has a 40.5 net punting average with only two touchbacks this season. Their coverage units are solid and they have the dangerous Sanders back this week for punt returns.
Next up, who wins and why…
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