Retired_Member_001
10-17-2008, 11:28 AM
http://www.sportsdatabases.com/nfl/logos/team_reports/NFL_team_DEN.jpg
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http://www.sportsdatabases.com/nfl/logos/team_reports/NFL_team_NE.jpg
DIRECTV: 206, 73 (HD) | TV: ESPN
Monday 8:30 PM ET
Partly cloudy
High: 61°F | Low: 41°F
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The Denver Broncos have had great success against the New England Patriots in recent years. In fact, the Broncos really have owned the Patriots.
I’m going to be quite frank, if the Patriots have Brady, they win this game. Without Brady, they don’t win this game. Yes, I know what you’re thinking, “ It’s stupid to put the W-L of this game because of one players absence”. Yes, one player doesn’t make a team in a game like Football where there are several players on the field. However, one player can make a difference. Here’s proof:
The Patriots offense is 21st in the league without Brady. The Patriots passing game is 22nd without Brady.
Ouch, that kind of hurts doesn’t it? A legendary passing game last year is below average/bad this year, all because of the injury to one player. One player can’t change the course of the game? I think not.
So where does the Patriots offense come from in this game? Well, the running game of course. But wait! The Patriots have the 18th best running game in the league compared to last year’s 13th best. So in Brady’s absence, the Patriots get significantly worse passing and running? I think losing one player DOES make a difference.
So, to be honest, the best thing on the Patriots right now is their 15th best rated defense. Of course, I really don’t need to explain where the Broncos defense is ranked right now. So really, this game has two battles:
The 15th best defense (Patriots) V the 4th best offense (Broncos).
The 21st best offense (Patriots) V the 30th best defense (Broncos).
Interesting matchup, a game that will definitely be a close one.
I think on offense, it all comes down to whether the Broncos offense can still tick. It’s been a hard last few games for the Broncos. Defensive coordinators have managed to figure out how to beat the Broncos offense, which started the season looking like a force to be reckoned with. The Broncos will have to take care of the ball and not give away any turnovers. Jay Cutler has to avoid making a Favre of himself, attempting ridiculous passes on National Television. What more? Well, the Broncos running game better get itself into gear when needed or else someone will be getting an ass whopping. Yes, the Broncos have the 10th best running game in the league, but it never really gets going WHEN NEEDED. I personally believe that Pittman should get the majority of the carries. He suits our style best. Physical back who punishes other players who cross his path.
The Patriots defense is 3rd worst in the league at getting pressure on the opposing QB, so Jay Cutler, who already has a good O-Line in front of him, will have time to throw and time to make the right decisions.
On defense, the Broncos just need to watch for two things:
1. The run.
2. The screen pass.
If the Broncos can defend against these two things, then it’s offense over the Patriots. The Patriots Quarterback (what’s his name again?) can’t throw at all and the more he is forced to, the better. Sam Cassel will need to make sure he just controls the ball. It will critical that Earnest Cassel does this if the Patriots are to win. This poses an interesting question, why don’t the Patriots try and pursue Jake Plummer?
It would be unjust if I didn’t mention the Broncos woes on the defensive end. Despite being Camp fodder, Sam Cassel will have plenty of time to throw as the Broncos continue to fail to consistently get pressure on the Quarterback. But where the real weakness comes, is on the ground. Yes the Patriots ground game isn’t amazing, but mediocre ground games have beaten the Broncos up before and they will continue to beat the Broncos up. It will be essential that the Broncos thwart any attempts the Patriots have at getting a ground game going. This here, is more essential than any of the other keys to the game. The Patriots run game isn’t deadly, but it could be to a horrible defense like the Broncos. The Broncos are better in every other area, but this problem right here could be a real issue.
There could be a real battle of the receivers going on here. But of course, the Patriots don’t have a Quarterback than can get their receivers the ball. Randy Moss will still be a threat, but put Champ on him and Rodger Cassel will be too intimidated to throw that way.
Of course, we can’t forget the battle of the coaches. Shanahan against Belichick. Both coaches a true masterminds. They will analyze the living daylight out of this game and will have a few tricks up their sleeves. When these two go at it, something interesting always happens.
This game has it all, Shanahan V Belichick, Marshall V Moss, Seymour V Clady, Dumervil V Light, Cutler V the other guy.
It will certainly be a good MNF game.
My prediction:
Broncos 34-27 New England Patriots
@
http://www.sportsdatabases.com/nfl/logos/team_reports/NFL_team_NE.jpg
DIRECTV: 206, 73 (HD) | TV: ESPN
Monday 8:30 PM ET
Partly cloudy
High: 61°F | Low: 41°F
--------------------------------------------
The Denver Broncos have had great success against the New England Patriots in recent years. In fact, the Broncos really have owned the Patriots.
I’m going to be quite frank, if the Patriots have Brady, they win this game. Without Brady, they don’t win this game. Yes, I know what you’re thinking, “ It’s stupid to put the W-L of this game because of one players absence”. Yes, one player doesn’t make a team in a game like Football where there are several players on the field. However, one player can make a difference. Here’s proof:
The Patriots offense is 21st in the league without Brady. The Patriots passing game is 22nd without Brady.
Ouch, that kind of hurts doesn’t it? A legendary passing game last year is below average/bad this year, all because of the injury to one player. One player can’t change the course of the game? I think not.
So where does the Patriots offense come from in this game? Well, the running game of course. But wait! The Patriots have the 18th best running game in the league compared to last year’s 13th best. So in Brady’s absence, the Patriots get significantly worse passing and running? I think losing one player DOES make a difference.
So, to be honest, the best thing on the Patriots right now is their 15th best rated defense. Of course, I really don’t need to explain where the Broncos defense is ranked right now. So really, this game has two battles:
The 15th best defense (Patriots) V the 4th best offense (Broncos).
The 21st best offense (Patriots) V the 30th best defense (Broncos).
Interesting matchup, a game that will definitely be a close one.
I think on offense, it all comes down to whether the Broncos offense can still tick. It’s been a hard last few games for the Broncos. Defensive coordinators have managed to figure out how to beat the Broncos offense, which started the season looking like a force to be reckoned with. The Broncos will have to take care of the ball and not give away any turnovers. Jay Cutler has to avoid making a Favre of himself, attempting ridiculous passes on National Television. What more? Well, the Broncos running game better get itself into gear when needed or else someone will be getting an ass whopping. Yes, the Broncos have the 10th best running game in the league, but it never really gets going WHEN NEEDED. I personally believe that Pittman should get the majority of the carries. He suits our style best. Physical back who punishes other players who cross his path.
The Patriots defense is 3rd worst in the league at getting pressure on the opposing QB, so Jay Cutler, who already has a good O-Line in front of him, will have time to throw and time to make the right decisions.
On defense, the Broncos just need to watch for two things:
1. The run.
2. The screen pass.
If the Broncos can defend against these two things, then it’s offense over the Patriots. The Patriots Quarterback (what’s his name again?) can’t throw at all and the more he is forced to, the better. Sam Cassel will need to make sure he just controls the ball. It will critical that Earnest Cassel does this if the Patriots are to win. This poses an interesting question, why don’t the Patriots try and pursue Jake Plummer?
It would be unjust if I didn’t mention the Broncos woes on the defensive end. Despite being Camp fodder, Sam Cassel will have plenty of time to throw as the Broncos continue to fail to consistently get pressure on the Quarterback. But where the real weakness comes, is on the ground. Yes the Patriots ground game isn’t amazing, but mediocre ground games have beaten the Broncos up before and they will continue to beat the Broncos up. It will be essential that the Broncos thwart any attempts the Patriots have at getting a ground game going. This here, is more essential than any of the other keys to the game. The Patriots run game isn’t deadly, but it could be to a horrible defense like the Broncos. The Broncos are better in every other area, but this problem right here could be a real issue.
There could be a real battle of the receivers going on here. But of course, the Patriots don’t have a Quarterback than can get their receivers the ball. Randy Moss will still be a threat, but put Champ on him and Rodger Cassel will be too intimidated to throw that way.
Of course, we can’t forget the battle of the coaches. Shanahan against Belichick. Both coaches a true masterminds. They will analyze the living daylight out of this game and will have a few tricks up their sleeves. When these two go at it, something interesting always happens.
This game has it all, Shanahan V Belichick, Marshall V Moss, Seymour V Clady, Dumervil V Light, Cutler V the other guy.
It will certainly be a good MNF game.
My prediction:
Broncos 34-27 New England Patriots