ZB Game of the Week: Broncos at Patriots

Had the Patriots pulled out the win against Carolina last Monday, this game would have carried some huge ramifications. As it is, it’s still a big game, with Denver trying to hang onto its AFC West lead and New England trying to keep pace in the race for the conference’s second playoff bye.

Oh, yeah, it’s another opportunity to watch Peyton Manning and Tom Brady duel, as well. With both of them getting up in QB years, who knows how many more times we’ll get to watch two All-Timers battle.

Denver is the more explosive team, averaging nearly 40 points per game. But it never surprises me anymore when Bill Belichick, Brady and Co. find ways to shut down, or at least slow, offenses. So the Sunday Night showdown should be a good one.

Rich Hill, managing editor of Pats Pulpit, and Sayre Bedinger, co-editor of Predominantly Orange, share their thoughts on what it will take to come out victorious.

Sayre Bedinger, Predominantly Orange (Twitter: @SayreBedinger, @PredomOrange)

WHY THE BRONCOS WILL WIN

Like the rest of the league, the Patriots haven’t seen an offensive arsenal like the Broncos have. Denver should be at full strength with the possible exception of Julius Thomas, who is considered questionable but appears to have a solid chance of playing. The Broncos’ “Four Horsemen” including Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker, Julius Thomas, and of course Wes Welker are the best group of receivers in the league, and the Pats have a depleted secondary in this game, potentially without three starters and some key reserves.

It’s going to be tough for the Patriots to keep the Broncos’ scoring down, so they are going to need to pressure Manning and the Broncos’ receivers, forcing some turnovers along the way.

Not only are the Broncos coming in with the best offense in the league, their defense has been playing lights out of late. In their last three games, they have been dominant, allowing most of their points off of turnovers that resulted in teams getting good field position. With Von Miller regaining form, look for the Denver D to continue to step up and make plays.

WHY THE BRONCOS COULD LOSE

This is Tom Brady, in HIS house. The Patriots are almost perfect in their own house in the last 40 games or so in the second half of seasons. Brady’s also got a full complement of receivers, which is nothing like it was the last time these two teams faced off, but it’s still better than what the Pats have had.

Brady can never be counted out of a game, and given his recent history against the Broncos, there’s plenty of reason to believe that he can win this game at home.

PREDICTION

I don’t ever predict against the Broncos, so I’m going to take Denver in a win, but if there was a game the rest of the season that they COULD lose, it’d be this one. If Denver doesn’t have stupid turnovers, and by that I mean muffing punts, fumbling a simple handoff, or getting strip-sacked one their own side of the field, they can easily beat New England, even on the road. However, this is Tom Brady in his house, where he is nearly perfect in the second half of the season.

The other reason this game is interesting is because the Patriots are coming off of a loss at home. When was the last time Brady lost two in a row at home?

Games are not won and lost based on trends, but the Broncos getting the Patriots with an unhealthy secondary coming off of a short week where they got beat up by Carolina is pretty huge.

Rich Hill, Pats Pulpit (Twitter: @PatsPulpitSBN, @PP_Rich_Hill)

WHY THE PATRIOTS WILL WIN

Get ready for a shootout.

The Patriots offense is firing all together for the first time this season and they’ve been looking great. Rob Gronkowski has emerged from his early season slumber as the top tight end in the league, while Shane Vereen has only been back for one game and his versatility is already paying dividends. Danny Amendola and Aaron Dobson are developing into a great one-two punch at receiver, while Stevan Ridley has been running the ball extremely well.

The offense will be fine when Denver comes to town and that’s how they’re going to have to win the game- in an old fashioned fire show. The Patriots are one of a few teams in the league, when healthy, who can go shot for shot with the Denver Broncos and Peyton Manning and they’re going to need every player to step up their performance to leave home with a victory.

WHY THE PATRIOTS COULD LOSE

The Broncos defense, while underrated due to inflated production by the opposition, can be taken advantage of and their secondary isn’t at its best.  If the Patriots can find a way to win the turnover battle and control the game’s tempo (easier said than done), then Manning won’t be able to dictate the game. The Patriots are still one of the most reliable teams in the league to generate a forced turnover and the Broncos can be counted on two or three turnover opportunities a game. If the Patriots capitalize (and they can), then that’s how they’re going to beat the Broncos.

On the other hand, there’s no team hurt more by injuries than the Patriots. Already down the core of the defensive front seven (DTs Vince Wilfork and Tommy Kelly, LB Jerod Mayo), the Patriots will be hurting in the secondary with all three starting cornerbacks hurt, and one already declared out, as well as an injured starting safety. This is not a good time to be facing the league’s most potent passing attack.

PREDICTION

If the Patriots are unable to force a turnover, just like last week against the Panthers, this is the Broncos game to lose. The Patriots defense is vulnerable and there’s no one with better weapons than Peyton.

In the end, I think Peyton overwhelms the Patriots defense and the Broncos leave with a 31-27 victory.

Zoneblitz’ Take: I think these guys have summed it up pretty well. Tom Brady protects his home field pretty well, but the Broncos have too many weapons right now, including Brady’s safety net from the last several seasons, Wes Welker.

New England will keep it competitive. Belichick is as good as there is. But Manning will walk away with a win in this one. I’ll say 30-23.