Broncos would love to run while Brady stays on sideline

That the Patriots are playing against the Broncos and old rival Peyton Manning is all the more fitting.

It was apparent on the Patriots’ third play from scrimmage last Saturday that Julian Edelman would provide a transformative element to New England’s offense, when Edelman turned third-and-10 into an 11-yard gain and a first down by finding the soft spot between two defenders and turning for a pass that was released as he made his quick cut outside. Half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Sunday afternoon. Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos are aiming for the franchise’s first championship in 16 years and his second.

Does that mean the Broncos can’t win?

“We’re going to be as healthy as we can be”, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said.

Get this, though: Brady threw for three TD passes in Denver this season. They never had a chance. I think the Broncos should be able to do a good job shutting that down.

Both defenses have been top rated in most of the statistical categories this season and the Panthers have the type of players that could put pressure on Palmer, which we saw him struggle with last week against Green Bay. “It’s quick. We have to be tight in the secondary. We have to get our hands up, bat some balls down and we just have to get there, plain and simple”.

Based on those numbers, it was no surprise that the Patriots went 3-4 without Edelman after roaring to a 9-0 start with him in the lineup. The Broncos finished the year with an impressive 12-4 record, but their offense wasn’t almost as explosive as we’ve seen in the past.

“He’s the starter, he’s the chemistry, that security blanket for Brady, ” Broncos safety T.J. Ward said. If Harris can not be his usual physical self and Edelman is gaining a free release, defensive coordinator Wade Phillips is likely to sit Harris. When you do that, there’s a reason you play for a long time and play well for a long time. They pulled him out. “When you have smaller people [on him], it’s tough because he’s so strong”. “You don’t want to be in that kind of fight with Manning”. He does a great job doing what he needs to do…. But there is one area where Manning has already won, career earnings. Anderson runs for the winning touchdown against the Patriots. In Denver’s win over the Patriots on November 29, Thomas had five drops and his only catch was a leaping 36-yard grab that ignited the Broncos’ go-ahead drive in the closing minutes of regulation. That’s what wins AFC championship games. Defeating the Patriots is one more step toward the ultimate prize for the Broncos, and one step closer to National Football League immortality for Manning. Only one thing matters this weekend. “They’ve got guys who can get after it on the pass rush”.

The Odds: Even at home with warmer temperatures the Broncos find themselves the underdog in this game.

“We love Peyton. Tom is okay but we love Peyton”, Connie Fontenot said. “We need that ‘ship. We’re thankful for another opportunity to go into that hostile environment and contribute”.