New England Patriots vs. Denver Broncos- Preview

Top Storylines:

• Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning- All week, experts and fans have dissected every part of these two quarterbacks legacies and play. Time to show up or put up on Sunday night.
• Wes Welker’s return- One thing that has been glossed over this past week because of the two quarterbacks as well as Wes Welker’s injury last week is the fact that this is Welker’s first return to New England. Everybody remembers the ugly divorce in the offseason in which the Patriots opted to go for a younger Danny Amendola over the always-reliable Welker. To this point, Welker has more touchdown receptions (9) that Amendola has games played (6).
• Playoff positioning- With a loss, New England looses any practical chance at getting the number one seed. The Broncos would have a 3 game lead and the tiebreaker.

Fun Fact:

•  The Denver Broncos are the only team in the NFL that boasts a winning record against Tom Brady. Brady is 4-6 vs. the Broncos.
•  This is the first time in SEVEN years that the New England Patriots are underdogs in their own home. 

Who it means more to?

• There is absolutely no question this game means way more to the Broncos than the Patriots for many reasons:

            1.     The Broncos have no wiggle room in their division with the Chiefs. A loss here can threaten to send the Broncos to a potential 5 seed at worst. But even if they lose here and then win out (they play at Arrowhead next week), the Broncos can finish with the number 1 seed
            2.     The Patriots have nothing to lose. The Broncos clearly have the better roster and the Patriots defense is beyond banged up. The Patriots are underdogs so a loss would not be a shock
            3.     Manning would fall significantly behind Brady in the debate for a better legacy. As highlighted before, (For more, see The War of 1812- Legacies), Brady already has the edge in the minds of many. Manning can’t let this opportunity slip.

What analyzers should avoid after the game

• ·      People need to make sure not to overreact and become a victim to prisoner of the moment. At the end of the day, it is a regular season game. An important one, for sure. But it is just one.
•      A win by the Patriots does not mean the Broncos are no longer contenders and slip from great to good nor does it mean the Patriots still don’t have major flaws, because they do. Especially defensively.
•      A win by the Broncos does not mean the Patriots Super Bowl hopes are finished. Fans may think that, but factually speaking, they will have a chance to make a run come January regardless of this game.
•      A win by Manning does not all of a sudden make him surpass Brady. It simply moves him to 9-5 all-time head to head. Legacies are impacted in the postseason.                                                                              Just some points to keep things in perspective

My Prediction: I think Tom Brady will play a great game but Manning will return the favor. Aqib Talib may take out one guy but the Broncos have way too many weapons. The Broncos defense has picked up the slack these past three weeks, allowing only an average of 22 points per game. Von Miller has had an impact and Champ Bailey may return. A win by either team would not surprise me but I’m going to go Broncos 38 Patriots 31.