Aqib Talib: Tom Brady ‘Rattled’ In AFC Championship Loss To Broncos

The Denver Broncos are hosting the New England Patriots Sunday in the AFC Championship Game.

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady stands on the field after a play during the second half of the NFL football AFC Championship game between the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016, in Den…

The Broncos are 3 1/2-point underdogs today in the AFC Championship game against New England, a team they beat, 30-24, in overtime during the regular season.

One of the most notable headlines going into the game is that it’s the 17th matchup between future hall-of-famers Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, and potentially the last.

“We’ve got one more game to go, and then we’ll have a parade”, elated Broncos receiver Emmanuel Sanders said, referring to Super Bowl 50 on February 7 in Santa Clara, Calif. “They’ve had a lot of match-ups, (and) they are the best two (quarterbacks) to watch”.

Ol’ No. 18 engineered a 20-18 victory over the Patriots – not settled until Broncos cornerback Bradley Roby picked off Brady’s pass on a 2-point attempt that would have tied it with 12 seconds left.

To help out quarterback Peyton Manning, who at this point is a shell of his former self, the Broncos will need to establish the run early and ride it throughout the game. They’re always in my way to get what I want. “Whether they develop them, go find them, or whatever”. Brady had one the best games of postseason career throwing for 363 yards and six touchdowns.

TELEVISION: This week’s game will be broadcast by CBS and can be seen locally on WBZ-TV Channel 4 in Boston.

“We’re focused on the Denver Broncos and the game, so all the rest of that is a bunch of hot air”, Belichick said this week.

Two days before the Broncos hosted the Steelers in their AFC divisional playoff game, defensive end Derek Wolfe signed a four-year contract extension – a reward he said put his mind at ease on the field last weekend. A quick drive stalled and the Broncos responded with an easy drive against soft Patriots coverage, and capped it off with a 21-yard touchdown pass to tight end Owen Daniels. Von Miller said, “I don’t think it’s ever been taught before how to tackle a guy who is 6-8, 300 pounds”. Their defense is going to cause some problems for the Cardinals offense, especially Carson Palmer, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Panthers score first off a Palmer interception. The only way New England will lose this game is by turning the ball over.

Brady was mistake-prone and inconsistent like he’s been few times in his career. However, Miller made what was perhaps the biggest play of the half. Head coach Bill Belichick and the Patriots are as good as anyone else at taking away what the opposition does best, so look for the New England defenders to sit on short routes and force Manning to push the ball downfield.

For the record, Ninkovich has been there since 2009, a long-timer by Patriots standards.