Pats go into Denver knowing last time they were there it was possibly their worst loss all season. On the positive side they are not the same team they were from the 1st half of the season. The run defense has improved significantly & the offense is less reliant on Brady carrying the load. Broncos boast the #2 rushing team. The knock on Plummer in the past has alwas been his lack consistency, however this season he has been anything but. The revamped DL was a huge key to their success in a division that includes the likes of Larry Johnson & LT. Their acquisitions gave the LBs the freedom to showcase their great tackling skills. On offense the Pats will need to continue to take advantage of Watson?s size up the middle. If there?s a weakness in Denver?s D it?s in the secondary. Broncos will likely blitz like crazy, so if Dillon can?t go than there needs to be an emphasis on screens & quick slants. The game plan is simple. Take what the defense gives you & keep the DBs honest to allow for a big play. On the road it?s imperative that the Pats get on the scoreboard early. The conditions in Denver aren?t conducive to coming from behind if you?re the team in white. Everyone knows the Broncos favorite play is the play-action bootleg. Obviously it?s level of success is predicated on a good running attack. Needless to say at #2 in rushing, the Broncos have been thriving on play-action. The Pat?s front 7 must do a better job of stopping the run than they did in their last meeting here. The return of Seymour & Bruschi should make for a significant impact up the middle & should allow for McGinest & Colvin to reek havoc on the outside. The DBs main objective is to just avoid getting beat deep. The more plays you force Plummer to run the greater chance he?s bound to revert to his old ways & make a mistake that could be the difference from winning & losing. My Prediction: Pats 23 Broncos 21
I think the glaring facts that stick out in this game are as follows. * New England is 12-12 on the road over the past 24 road games. * Denver plays better run defense at home. * Denver plays better overall at home. * Weather will not be a factor for either team more than the other. * New England is 10-0 in the playoffs under Brady. Add it all up, it will be a close game. But with New England's exprience, they should find a way to win. Who do you guys want to play more? Pittsburgh at home or Indy on the road?
Well obviously in terms of increasing our odds for a 3-peat we'd want you guys at our place. But on the otherhand the title wouldn't smell as sweet if we didn't have to go through Indy to get there.
Being at home against the Steelers would not make a big difference obviously in terms of weather conditions, but I felt we dominated our earlier game with you guys. And that's when we lost Harrison & Light & were w/o Bruschi. We did a decent job on Fast Willie as I recall & I suspect we would again. The Bus is $ at the goalline, but I doubt you'd see many opportunities there. Offensively the Pats aren't intimidated. They've been there b4 & Brady's having a career year.
Turnovers are part of this game. Your Pats were only 10-6 this year and that's playing in one of the softest divisions in football. Just like you, we're playing our best football right now, so I think we'd have a chance. We only lost because our defense got soft on the last drive of the game. We could and should have one. So, let us come in to Foxboro, be overlooked, and knock some of your teeth out. That would be fun!
Yes, you had 371 yards passing... one pick, no TD's. And Dillon averaged 2.9 per carry. Ben threw 2 TD's and Parker had 3.2 per carry. We're both different teams now. Pittsburgh's just better....
I'd like to say we'll see, but I highly doubt you're getting by the Colts. I'd say our chances in Denver are 50/50 in all honesty. The battle at the line will be the deciding factor as it usually is.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Steelerfan_2005)</div><div class='quotemain'>Oh... I'm rooting for you guys... we haven't had the pleasure of beating you at Foxboro.</div> Oh, you are on the Pats schedule next season? What week do you play them? They can begin to prepare for that game after the Colts showdown!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Steelerfan_2005)</div><div class='quotemain'>Pittsburgh's just better.... </div> Steelers are better than Cincy but Pitt still has the monkey on their back as far as the Pats. But, so does Indy.... to an extent. All things being equal Belichick & Co will drop kick Denver while the Colts steam roll Pittsburgh. AFC C'ship Indy 38 NE 23
I'm not writing off, overlooking, or dismissing Pittsburgh. Simply put, Indy is better. I am not as "emotionally invested" in either Pitt or NE. Therefore, my objectivity/pragmatism is a wee tad more credible.
Bakes I'm all for your assesment on the game but if we win I think hte margin might be a little bigger. Something more like 24-14 because to win = stopping the run and with little to no run game I don't see them scoring 20 points. As for the who we would want to play SHOULD we win I'd definitely go with the steelers as well. Its not that they aren't a good team its just their style plays into our hands alot more than Indy's does this year and we would have homefield advantage..not to mention I'd get to go to the game . I hope the steelers/colts game is much better than the last time but you have to put the smart money on the Colts. The Steelers just need to find away to get after Manning this time and get alot more ball control from their offense or else they will be blown out of the RCA dome....maybe by the noise on its own.
I don't anticipate the Pats shutting down the Broncos #2 run game completely. As long as the DBs aren't asked to do the majority of the tackling we'll avoid the big play.
The more I think about it, the more I have to wonder is there really a preferable team to play here? I mean if the Steelers somehow win, you can't like that either because of the roll we've been on. The only real advantage for New England in that scenerio is that they get a home game and they've been almost impossible to beat at home. Travelling to Indy would probably be the end to a decent 10-6 season for the Pats.
Of course, that's assuming you guys can get past Denver at home who is also a tough team in their home stadium.
I personally like Denver in the playoffs. They are a team that has avoided any attention at all, but they are probably the most balanced team in the playoffs. Good defense, good offense. Decent passing game, solid running game. Its tough to find a real weakspot with them.
