{"id":64915,"date":"2026-01-23T04:30:46","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T09:30:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/?p=64915"},"modified":"2026-01-23T10:11:36","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T15:11:36","slug":"morse-a-deep-dive-into-the-denver-broncos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2026\/01\/23\/morse-a-deep-dive-into-the-denver-broncos\/","title":{"rendered":"MORSE: A Deep Dive Into the Denver Broncos"},"content":{"rendered":"

The matchup versus the Broncos took a bizarre twist when Sean Payton told the assembled media in his post-game press conference that QB Bo Nix broke his ankle and would be lost for the remainder of the season.\u00a0 That thrust former Patriots Draft Pick Jarrett Stidham into the starting role.<\/p>\n

Broncos Offense (w\/ Bo Nix at QB)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Overall\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 342.6 YPG\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a010th<\/sup><\/p>\n

Passing\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 223.9 YPG\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 11th<\/sup><\/p>\n

Rushing \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 118.7 YPG\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a016th<\/sup><\/p>\n

Scoring \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 23.6 PPG\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 14th<\/sup><\/p>\n

Red Zone \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 57.9%\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 13th<\/sup><\/p>\n

#3rd Down\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 41.2%\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 10th<\/p>\n

Offense<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
3WR 1TE<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nStarter<\/td>\n2nd<\/td>\n3rd<\/td>\n4th<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
QB<\/td>\nJarrett Stidham<\/td>\nSam Ehlinger<\/td>\nBo Nix O<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RB<\/td>\nRJ Harvey<\/td>\nJaleel McLaughlin<\/td>\nTyler Badie<\/td>\nJ.K. Dobbins IR<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
WR<\/td>\nCourtland Sutton<\/td>\nMarvin Mims<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
WR<\/td>\nTroy Franklin Q<\/td>\nLil’\u00a0Jordan Humphrey<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
WR<\/td>\nPat Bryant Q<\/td>\n<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
TE<\/td>\nEvan Engram<\/td>\nAdam Trautman<\/td>\nNate Adkins<\/td>\nLucas Krull IR<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
FB<\/td>\nAdam Prentice<\/td>\nMichael Burton IR<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LT<\/td>\nGarett Bolles<\/td>\nMatt Peart\u00a0IR<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LG<\/td>\nBen Powers<\/td>\nAlex Palczewski<\/td>\nMatt Peart\u00a0IR<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
C<\/td>\nAlex Forsyth\u00a0Q<\/td>\nSam Mustipher<\/td>\nLuke Wattenberg\u00a0IR<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RG<\/td>\nQuinn Meinerz<\/td>\nNick Gargiulo\u00a0IR<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RT<\/td>\nMike McGlinchey<\/td>\nAlex Palczewski<\/td>\nFrank Crum<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jarrett Stidham did not throw a single pass in any regular-season game the last two seasons for the Broncos.\u00a0 Further, the Patriots have a huge advantage of knowing Stidham\u2019s strengths and weaknesses.\u00a0 He was drafted by the Patriots in 2019 in the 4th<\/sup> round, pick #133.\u00a0 He played for Josh McDaniels in New England and then followed him to Las Vegas when McDaniels was the head coach.\u00a0 I have a lot of respect for Denver head Coach Sean Payton\u2019s ability to get Stidham ready for Sunday.\u00a0 The pressure is all on Stidham.<\/p>\n

At running back, the Brocos got good news that their top running back, JK Dobbins, will be available for the game.\u00a0 He is coming off IR.\u00a0 He led Denver in rushing with 153 carries for 772 yards, 5.0 YPC, 5 TDs, and no Fumbles.\u00a0 He had 21 runs of 10+ yards on the season.\u00a0 As a receiver, he had 11 Catches on 14 Targets for 37 yards, 3.37 YPC, and 0 TDs.\u00a0 Rookie RJ Harvey has picked up the slack in Dobbins absence.\u00a0 He has rushed 146 times for 540 yards, 3.7 YPC, with 3 TDs and 1 Fumble.\u00a0 Out of the backfiel,d he has 47 Catches on 58 Targets, for 356 Yards, 7.6 YPC, and 5 TDs.\u00a0 Adam Prentice is the Fullback.\u00a0 He had 10 Carries for 44 Yards, 4.4 YPC, and 0 TDs.\u00a0 He is mostly a blocking back, but had 6 Receptions on 8 Targets for 52 YPC, 8.8 YPC, and 0 TDs.<\/p>\n

The receiver room took a couple of big hits last week versus the Bills.\u00a0 WR Pat Bryant was ruled out with a concussion early in the game.\u00a0 He is currently listed as Questionable but was limited in practice on Wednesday, which means that he is making progress to play on Sunday.\u00a0 Troy Franklin hurt his hamstring in the game, and he is also listed as Questionable.\u00a0 He was limited in practice on Wednesday.\u00a0 Watch the Broncos Injury Report to see if Bryant practices in a Red non-Contact jersey on a limited basis.\u00a0 That would indicate that he has made progress in the Concussion protocol.\u00a0\u00a0 This is his second concussion this year, so they may be more cautious with him playing.<\/p>\n

Cortland Sutton is a legitimate #1 receiver.\u00a0 On the season, he had 74 Catches on 124 Targets for 1,017 Yards, 13.7 YPC, and 7 TDs.\u00a0 Troy Franklin had 65 Catches on 104 Targets for 709 Yards, 10.9 YPC, and 6 TDs.\u00a0 Marvin Mims added 37 Catches on 5 Targets for 322 Yards, 8.7 YPC, and 1 TD. \u00a0Pat Bryant had 31 Catches on 49 Targets for 378 Yards and a TD.\u00a0 Former Patriot Lil\u2019Jordan Humphrey is a big target and would fill the 3rd<\/sup> WR role.\u00a0 On the season, he had 9 Catches on 15 Targets for 101 Yards, 11.2 YPC, and 1 TD.\u00a0 Note that the Patriots signed former Denver WR Trent Sherfield to their Practice Squad.\u00a0 This could be to ascertain intel on the Denver passing game.<\/p>\n

The Broncos have a couple of good TEs.\u00a0 Evan Engram had 50 catches on 76 Targets for 461 yards, 9.2 YPC, and 1 TD.\u00a0 Adam Trautman is another capable TE.\u00a0 On the season, he had 20 Catches on 23 Targets for 195 Yards, 9.8 YPC, and 1 TD.<\/p>\n

The Offensive line for Denver is the best in the NFL, and the best the Patriots have seen all year.\u00a0 It starts with Garrett Bolles at Left Tackle.\u00a0 The 6\u20193\u201d, 300-pound tackle played at Utah and was selected in the 2017 Draft by Denver in the 1st<\/sup> round (20).\u00a0 His PFF grade for the season is 89.3, 5th<\/sup> of 89 Tackles.\u00a0 For the Regular Season and Post-Season, he didn\u2019t give up a Sack, 6 QB Hits, 15 Hurries, and 21 Pressures.<\/p>\n

Left Guard Ben Powers is 6\u20194\u201d, 310 pounds, and played at Oklahoma.\u00a0 He was selected in the 2019 Draft by Baltimore in the 4th<\/sup> Round (123).\u00a0 His PFF Grade is 62.4good for 39th<\/sup> amongst 81 Guards.\u00a0 In the Regular Season and postseason, he has given 0 Sacks, 1 QB Hit, 11 Hurries, and 12 Pressures in 10 games, including the playoff game last week.\u00a0 Alex Forsyth is listed as the starter at Center, although listed as Questionable here, he has practiced as a Full Participant the last two days.\u00a0 The 6\u20194\u201d 312-pound Center played at Oregon and was selected and drafted in the 2023 draft by Denver in the 7th<\/sup> Round (259).\u00a0 His PFF grade is 65.6, but he doesn\u2019t have enough snaps to qualify for a ranking.<\/p>\n

Luke Wattenberg was the starter but he is coming off IR.\u00a0 They haven\u2019t activated him yet.\u00a0 Wattenberg is 6\u20195\u201d, 300 pounds, and played at Washington.\u00a0 He was selected in the 2022 Draft by Denver in the 5th<\/sup> Round (171).\u00a0 His PFF grade is 70.9, good for 9th<\/sup> amongst 40 Centers.\u00a0 On the season he has given up 0 Sacks, 3 QB Hits, 10 Hurries and 13 Pressures.\u00a0 If he can go, that will be a big boost to Denver.\u00a0 Sam Mustipher was pressed into duty at Center last week.\u00a0 The 6\u20192\u201d, 322-pound Center played for Notre Dame and was signed as an Undrafted Free Agent after the 2019 Draft by Chicago. \u00a0\u00a0His PFF grade ius 58.7 but doesn\u2019t have enough snaps to qualify for a ranking.\u00a0 For the season, including the playoff game last week, he hasn\u2019t given up a Sack, QB Hit, Hurry, or any pressure.<\/p>\n

Now to my favorite Offensive Lineman in the League, RG Quinn (Gut) Meinerz.\u00a0 Fascinating story with Meinerz.\u00a0 He played at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, a Division III program.\u00a0 His Senior season was cancelled due to COVID.\u00a0 He spent that year in the woods at his family camp in Ontario.\u00a0 He cut down trees and hauled them out.\u00a0 He also taught himself how to play Center and perform a shotgun snap.\u00a0 Somehow, he got an invitation to the East \u2013 West Shrine game, and it ended up being cancelled.\u00a0 Miraculously, he got a late call to the Senior Bowl.<\/p>\n

All he did was dominate the one-on-one reps.\u00a0 He got the nickname Gut because he always wore half-shirts with his gut hanging out. \u00a0I had an exchange with Evan Lazar, who does a great job with Draft coverage.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t have Meinerz in his top 50 players.\u00a0 He stated that Meinerz was strictly a Center and the Patriots had just signed David Andrews to a long-term contract. \u00a0This was another mistake GM Bill Belichick made.\u00a0 The 6\u20193\u201d, 320-pound Guard played for DIII Wisconsin-Whitewater and was selected in the 3rd<\/sup> Round (98) of the 2021 Draft by Denver.\u00a0 His PFF grade is 90.9, 1st<\/sup> amongst all 81 Guards.\u00a0 On the season, he has given up 2 sacks, 5 QB Hits, 19 Hurries, and 26 Pressures.\u00a0 Mike McGlinchey isa 6\u20198\u201d, 315-pound Tackle who played at Notre Dame and was selected in the 2018 1st<\/sup> Round (9).\u00a0 His PFF grade is 71.7, good for 19th<\/sup> of 89 Tackles.<\/p>\n

Defense<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Overall, the Broncos are the #5 rated Defense in the league:<\/p>\n

Overall \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 278.2 YPG\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 #2<\/p>\n

Passing\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 187.2 YPG\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 #7<\/p>\n

Rushing\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 91.1 YPG\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 #2<\/p>\n

Scoring\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 18.3 PPG\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 #3<\/p>\n

Red Zone\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 42.6%\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 #1<\/p>\n

3rd<\/sup> Down\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 33.8%\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 #2<\/p>\n

Denver Pass Rush<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sacks\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1st<\/sup><\/p>\n

QB Hits\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 1st<\/sup><\/p>\n

Pressure\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1st<\/sup><\/p>\n

Pressure Rate\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 2nd<\/sup><\/p>\n

Base 3-4<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nStarter<\/td>\n2nd<\/td>\n3rd<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LDE<\/td>\nZach\u00a0Allen<\/td>\nJordan Jackson<\/td>\nMatt Henningsen\u00a0IR<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
NT<\/td>\nD.J. Jones<\/td>\nEyioma Uwazurike<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RDE<\/td>\nJohn\u00a0Franklin – Myers<\/td>\nMalcolm Roach<\/td>\nSai’vion\u00a0Jones<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
WLB<\/td>\nJonathon\u00a0Cooper<\/td>\nJonah Elliss<\/td>\nQue\u00a0Robinson<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LILB<\/td>\nAlex Singleton<\/td>\nKarene Reid<\/td>\nJordan Turner<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RILB<\/td>\nDre Greenlaw<\/td>\nJustin Strnad<\/td>\nDrew\u00a0Sanders IR<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SLB<\/td>\nNik Bonitto<\/td>\nDondrea\u00a0Tillman<\/td>\nJohnny\u00a0Walker IR<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LCB<\/td>\nPat Surtain II<\/td>\nKris Abrams-Draine<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SS<\/td>\nTalanoa Hufanga<\/td>\nJL\u00a0Skinner<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
FS<\/td>\nP.J. Locke<\/td>\nDevon Key<\/td>\nBrandon\u00a0Jones IR<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RCB<\/td>\nRiley\u00a0Moss<\/td>\nReese\u00a0Taylor<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
NB<\/td>\nJa’Quan McMillian<\/td>\nJahdae Barron<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

It all starts on the D-line.\u00a0 Zach Allen is a 7-year veteran and a very good pass rusher from the 3-4 DT position.\u00a0 \u00a0The 6\u20194\u201d 285-pound DT played at Boston College and was selected in the 2019 Draft, 3rd<\/sup> Round (65).\u00a0 His PFF Grade is 62.6, 48th<\/sup> of 134 Interior linemen.\u00a0 For the Regular and Post-Season, he had 38 Tackles, 11 Sacks, 38 QB Hits, and 32 Hurries.\u00a0 DJ Jones is the starter at Nose Tackle.\u00a0 He relies on his quickness at just 6\u2019, 305 pounds.\u00a0 The Mississippi product was selected in the 2017 Draft, 6th<\/sup> Round (198) by San Francisco.\u00a0 His PFF grade is 74.7, 12th<\/sup> amongst all DTs.\u00a0 On the season, he has 39 tackles, 3 Sacks, 3 QB Hits, and 17 Hurries.<\/p>\n

John Franklin Meyers rounds out the DL.\u00a0 The 6\u20194\u201d 288-pound 3-Technique DT played at Stephen F. Austin and was selected in the 2018 Draft, 4th<\/sup> Round (135) by the Los Angeles Rams.\u00a0 His PFF Grade is 61.3, good for 53rd<\/sup> amongst 115 DTs.\u00a0 On the year, he has 25 Tackles, 8 Sacks, 9 QB Hits, and 25 Hurries.\u00a0 The position flexible Malcolm Roach plays a lot at either Left or Right DT, or sometimes at Nose Tackle.<\/p>\n

The Linebackers are the strength of this team.\u00a0 Weakside LB is Jonathon Cooper.\u00a0 The 6\u20194\u201d 257-pound LB played at Ohio State and was selected in the 2021 Draft, 7th<\/sup> Round (240) by Denver.\u00a0 His PFF grade is 66.3, 61st<\/sup> amongst 115 LBs.\u00a0 On the season, he has 50 Tackles, 10 Sacks, 10 QB Hits, and 35 Hurries.\u00a0 Alex Singleton is the Left Inside Linebacker.\u00a0 The 6\u20192\u201d 240-pound backer played at Montana State and went Undrafted in the 2015 Draft and signed with Seattle.\u00a0 His PFF Grade is 70.4, good for 29th<\/sup> of 88 ILBs. \u00a0\u00a0On the season, he has 135 Tackles, 1 Sack, 4 QB Hits, and 11 Hurries.<\/p>\n

Dre Greenlaw is the Right Inside Linebacker.\u00a0 He played at Arkansas and was selected in the 2019 Draft, 5th<\/sup> Round (148) by Denver.\u00a0 His PFF grade is 74.8, 19th<\/sup> amongst 88 ILBs.\u00a0 On the season, he has 43 Tackles, 1 Sack, 1 QB Hit, 1 Hurry, and 1 INT. \u00a0The most feared player for Denver is Strongside Linebacker Nick Bonitto.\u00a0 How Will Campbell is able to handle Bonitto will go a long way to determine how this game will go.\u00a0 Based upon his last two playoff games, it doesn\u2019t look good.\u00a0 TE\u2019s and Backs need to help out Campbell.\u00a0 Bonitto is a 6\u20193\u201d, 240-pound linebacker who played at Oklahoma and was selected in the 2022 Draft, 2nd Round (64).\u00a0 His PFF Grade is 77.1, good for 22nd<\/sup> of 115 LBs.\u00a0 On the season, he has 46 Tackles, 18 Sacks, 14 QB Hits, and 48 Hurries.\u00a0 Jonah Elliss, a backup Linebacker for Denver, is the brother of the Patriots’ Christian Elliss.<\/p>\n

The Secondary is led by Patrick Surtain.\u00a0 He is the premier DB in the NFL.\u00a0 Since being selected in the 2021 1st round (9) by Denver, all he has done is be named 1st Team All-Pro twice, 2nd Team once, and named to the AFC Pro Bowl 4 x.\u00a0 In 2024, he was named Defensive Player of the Year.\u00a0 The 6\u20192\u201d, 202-pound DB played at Alabama.\u00a0 His PFF grade is 72, good for 22nd<\/sup> of 114 CBs.\u00a0 On the season, he has 47 Tackles, 0 Sacks, 0 QB Hits, 1 Hurry, and 1 INT.\u00a0 Talanoa Hufanga is no slouch either.\u00a0 The hard-hitting Safety stands 6\u2019 200-pound and hits like a train.\u00a0 He attended USC and was selected in the 2021 Draft, 5th<\/sup> Round (181) by San Francisco.\u00a0 His PFF grade is 71.9, good for 20th<\/sup> of 98 Safeties.\u00a0 On the season, he has 106 Tackles, 2 Sacks,1QB Hit, and 6 Hurries.<\/p>\n

PJ Locke is the Free Safety.\u00a0 The 5\u201910\u201d, 202-pound Safety is a backup, forced into the starting lineup, replacing Brandon Jones, who is on IR. He could be the weak link.\u00a0 The Texas product went Undrafted after the 2019 Draft and signed with Pittsburgh.\u00a0 His PFF grade is 55 and doesn\u2019t have enough snaps to qualify for a ranking.\u00a0 On the season, he has 16 Tackles, 0 Sacks, QB Hits, or Hurries.\u00a0 He has only started the last 4 games, including the playoff win versus the Bills.\u00a0 He did have a good game versus the Bills in the Divisional Playoff game.<\/p>\n

Riley Moss is a little suspect at RCB.\u00a0 The 6\u20191\u201d, 193-pound DB out of Iowa was selected in the 2023 Draft 3rd<\/sup> Round (84) by Denver.\u00a0 His PFF grade is 64.,9 which is good for 49th<\/sup> of 114 CBs.\u00a0 On the season he has 80 Tackles, 1 Sack, o QB Hits,0 Hurries, and 1 INT.\u00a0 Ja\u2019Quan McMillan is one of the best Nickle Backs in the league.\u00a0 The 5\u20199\u201d, 183-pound NB played at East Carolina and went Undrafted in the 2022 Draft.\u00a0 He signed with Denver following the draft.\u00a0 His PFF grade is 78.3, which is 6th<\/sup> of all 114 CBs.\u00a0 For the season, he had 56Tackles, 4 Sacks, 1 QB Hit, 3 Hurries, and 2 INTs.<\/p>\n

Special Teams<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nStarter<\/td>\n2nd<\/td>\n3rd<\/td>\n4th<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
PK<\/td>\nWil Lutz<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
P<\/td>\nJeremy Crawshaw<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
H<\/td>\nJeremy Crawshaw<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
PR<\/td>\nMarvin Mims<\/td>\nRiley\u00a0Moss<\/td>\nJahdae Barron<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
KR<\/td>\nTyler Badie<\/td>\nRJ Harvey<\/td>\nMarvin Mims<\/td>\nJaleel McLaughlin<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LS<\/td>\nMitchell Fraboni<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Will Lutz has the advantage of kicking in the light air of Denver.\u00a0 He is also a veteran kicker, so the pressure of kicking in the big game should not affect him as much as it might Andy Borregales.\u00a0 Lutz finished the season making 88.2% of his kicks, ranked 17th<\/sup>, slightly ahead of Borregales.\u00a0 Punter Jeremy Crawshaw’s Net Average was 41.1, ranked 21st, and again slightly ahead of Barringer.\u00a0 However, he has the advantage of playing half his games at altitud,e and his numbers should be much better.<\/p>\n

Marvin Mims is an excellent Punt Returner, just behind Marcus Jones in 3rd<\/sup>.\u00a0 He also returns kickoffs at 26.3 yards per return, which is ranked 25th.\u00a0 The Patriots Kickoff Return team is anemic since Antonio Gibson was lost for the season.\u00a0 Efton Chism and D\u2019Ernest Johnson are two of the slowest return men I have ever seen.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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My earliest memories of the Patriots were attending as a child with my dad, the off-season practice at Phillips Academy. I was at the Patriots game at Harvard Stadium in 1970 where Bob \u201cHarpo\u201d Gladieux was called out of the stands by the stadium announcer over the PA to play in the game. Analyzing the draft since ESPN first started to televise it in 1980 and former writer for the Lowell Sun Newspaper.","url":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/author\/markmorse5\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/USATSI_27885513_168390408_lowres.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64915","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/23"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=64915"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64915\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":64921,"href":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64915\/revisions\/64921"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/64887"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=64915"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=64915"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=64915"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}