It’s going to be another classic Tom Brady vs Brock Osweiler quarterback duel as the New England Patriots (6-2) make their way to Sports Authority Field at Mile High to take on the Denver Broncos (3-5) on Sunday Night Football.
A few years ago this was the game of the year. Now it’s not even the best game of the day. Still, SNF will bring it to us at 8:30 p.m. EST on NBC and its local stations.
The Game: New England Patriots at Denver Broncos (+7.5)
O/U: 44.5
The History
The Broncos and Patriots have played 52 games against each other since 1960. The Broncos lead the all time series 30-22.
They’ve met five times in the playoffs with the Broncos holding a 4-1 advantage.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (6-2)
My prediction of Tom Brady’s trip over the quarterback cliff hasn’t come to pass. In fact, it’s not even been hinted at as Brady’s brilliance is the only reason the Patriots are 6-2 right now. The 40 year old future Hall of Famer is still playing at an incredible level. He’s completed 66.7 percent of his passes this season for 2,541 yards, 16 touchdowns and two picks. All without his favorite wide receiver, Julian Edelman, on the field.
Last week against the Los Angeles Chargers in a 21-13 win, Brady was 32 of 47 for 333 yards and a touchdown. The man still has it. But all is not well in Patriot-ville.
Brady was sacked three times last week and has taken a ton of hits over the first eight games of the season. Each time he has to get up, it seems like it takes him a little longer. Even if his mind and arm are still there, it’s no guarantee the rest of his body will hang around.
That’s why New England needs more out of its running game against the Broncos. They got 97 yards on the ground last week with Dion Lewis leading the way with 15 carries for 44 yards. That’s not good enough. Too much is on Brady and the offensive line can’t keep him upright all season if he keeps having to drag this team along on his back.
Chris Hogan is out again with a shoulder injury. Offensive lineman Marcus Cannon and defensive lineman Malcolm Brown will both be in street clothes with injuries. Everyone else practiced this week, even the recently acquired Martellus Bennett.
DENVER BRONCOS (3-5)
Whatever the Broncos are able to do on offense, they’ll have their full compliment of players to do it. Only three men are listed as questionable, including wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, offensive tackle Donald Stephenson and linebacker Todd Davis. All three practiced this week and should play.
After Trevor Siemian finally proved to Vance Joseph he would better serve the team with a Surface tablet in his hand, the rookie head coach has tapped his elbow and brought in former starter Brock Osweiler in from the bullpen. In his first start since rejoining the team, Osweiler looked like the guy that was run out of Houston in the off-season, completing 19 of 38 for 208 yards, one touchdown and two picks.
Now, if there’s a silver lining to that stat line it’s that it happened against the Philadelphia Eagles, a significantly better defense than Osweiler will line up across from Sunday night. What Osweiler and the Broncos need to win this game is a huge performance on the ground from their running backs. I think the offense seems to perform better with Jamaal Charles running the ball. Offensive coordinator Mike McCoy disagrees and gave Charles all of four carries last week. In fact, Denver only ran the ball 19 times but since they were down 17-3 after the first quarter, it’s at least understandable.
The defensive players, with a couple of exceptions, are pretty much the same unit that won the Super Bowl two years ago. They sacked Carzon Wentz twice and got seven stops in the backfield. Without Wade Phillips calling the plays and coverages, something is missing.
The Pick
If Gary Kubiak and Wade Phillips were still coaching the Broncos, I’d have no trouble picking the upset here. Kubiak knew how to attack New England with this group on offense and Phillips ate them alive with his pass rush. I’m not sure Mike McCoy and Vance Joseph replicate that. Still, I think that spread is asking a little too much. Patriots 27, Broncos 24
This week
Straight up: 1-0
Against the spread: 1-0
Last week
Straight up: 9-4
Against the spread: 11-2
Season
Straight up: 78-54
Against the spread: 69-62
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