Patriots – Broncos: 3 things to watch for in the AFC title game

Ahead of the Peyton Manning vs Tom Brady duel; majority of the bettors are backing the New England Patriots as they travel to face Denver Broncos.

For the second time in three years, it will be the Patriots and Broncos battling ion Denver for a trip to the Super Bowl.

Heading into this Sunday’s AFC Championship Game, the main focus is undoubtedly on a 17th and potentially final Brady-Manning showdown. “Peyton revolutionized the game and Tom, through his championships, has proven he’s the best that’s ever played the game”.

For Brady, there may be no more definitive point in his favor than ending Manning’s career with another playoff loss to New England.

For all his greatness Manning has not always been able to produce his best when the spotlight is brightest while Brady seems to have been born for the big stage.

Brady won the first six meetings and he leads the series 11-5. But more than one got there. Brady is 4-2 in the Super Bowl, while Manning is 1-2. Tom Brady and Peyton Manning don’t play against each other. Manning’s ability to keep pace with Brady is the key.

Weather: The forecast is projecting a 50 percent chance of rain, not snow, with light winds blowing from the north. Game time temperatures are expected to be in the mid-forties.

A lot of players that were not in the championship game two years ago will get a taste of this one. An ornery defense that allowed a league-low 283.1 yards per game, home-field advantage and two wonderful wideouts in Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders.

The Patriots managed a 27-20 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs last Saturday. Tight end Rob Gronkowski caught two touchdowns for the Patriots. That includes the Divisional Round against a tough Steelers run D (17 touches, 83 yards, TD).

“Obviously, we were all disappointed with the way that game played itself out”, special teamer Matt Slater said this week as he prepared for the rematch of the November 29 game that Denver won 30-24 in overtime.

“The level of competition and the quality of their players and coaches is what makes it a great team and a great organization”, Brady said, echoing terms that are often said about the Patriots. After starting the season off with a 10-0 SU and 5-2-3 ATS record, the Patriots stumbled down the stretch due to a slew of injuries.

The Broncos’ injury report was a stark contrast to New England’s list. This could be the last game between these two future Hall-of-Famers, which begs the question – who has more to gain from a victory? So watch Brady vs. Manning as if it’s the last time.

They ran from one sideline to the other catching rapid-fire passes from their left and right, a staple of the NFL’s scouting combine every February where prospective pass-catchers show off their good hands.