(Jan. 15, 2016 - Source: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images North America)
The more I read about it the more I fall in love with what awaits us in yet another Brady Vs. Manning post-season showdown. The Patriots have quite an offensive punch as we know it with WR Julian Edleman, TE Rob Gronkowski and of course the Michigan man leading the charge behind center QB Tom Brady. But it's actually the Patriots defense that has been rather impressive this season. DE Chandler Jones and OLB Rob Ninkovich have done their deal of damage destroying the ability of opposing running attacks. Not particularly statistically, but the fact that the Patriots have a +7 turnover ratio this season is a clear indicator that they are doing more than enough to get victories. The Pats forced the Chiefs to throw the ball 50 times in the divisional round and if a similar scenario takes place against Denver in the AFC Championship, it is likely that the New England pass rushers I just mentioned will have QB Peyton Manning eating grass all afternoon. The spread offense of New England will cause problems for the Broncos secondary. The absence of WR Antonio Brown showed prevalent in Denver's victory in the Divisional round but this is a different monster they'll face this week. Without some Brady interceptions, chances of the Broncos scoring more than 17 points in this contest are rather slim. I expect New England to get the win with an 8+ point margin.
(Jan. 16, 2016 - Source: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images North America)
After a 5-0 start to the NFL season a bumpy ride to the top of the AFC West division and a revision at the QB position, the Denver Broncos and Peyton Manning find themselves in the AFC Championship game. If Denver plan to win this game, it will come down to their defenses ability to keep New England off of the field. I don't believe they have to personnel to do that. Their offense may struggle the way it did against the Steelers and if so the Patriots will eventually rack up points on the scoring making the Broncos rushing attack to no effect and putting pressure of the withered arm on Manning to get the victory. Denver has to be banking on the possibility that they can get the Patriots offense to cough it up on a fumble or interceptions. Strategically I am unable to see how the Broncos plan on being able to outman the offensive attack of New England. Nevertheless, there is a reason why they play on the field and not on paper. Perhaps head coach Gary Kubiak and his stretch run schematic can give Brady and Belicheck a few headaches.
NEW ENGLAND PARIOTS @ DENVER BRONCOS 3:05 p.m. E.T on CBS
