Patriots, Broncos are 2 elite franchise with lots of depth

Chris Harris was limited because of a shoulder injury the past two games.

“It was definitely a problem”, Belichick said about stopping Denver’s rushing game.

Instead, the conference title will be settled by Brady against the Broncos’ top-ranked defense.

Much of the talk leading into Sunday’s AFC championship game between the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos has centered around the rivalry between Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. “I don’t really have any conversation with them because I get exhausted of hearing the questions about the drops”, Thomas said. Most notable is the team’s pass rush, led by Von Miller and DaMarcus Ware, which led the league in sacks with 52. It’s going to be a battle.

The one play didn’t lose the game, though.

Denver’s victories with Manning either absent or compromised have come courtesy of a newly designed running game and a top-ranked defense filled with playmakers. Denver’s defense allowed 18.5 points and 283.1 yards this season with 14 interceptions, 52 sacks, and 22 fumble recoveries. The uncharacteristically poor finish left them at 12-4 – good enough for a 12th AFC East title in 13 seasons but tied with the Broncos in the race for home-field advantage through the playoffs. It’s fair to assume that we will see a great performance by one team this time around. “Whether they develop them, go find them, or whatever”. The Pittsburgh Steelers hold the distinction of most appearances in AFC Championship Game history, with 15, while the San Francisco 49ers hold the distinction in the NFC, also with 15 appearances.

Maybe, but it’s never a good idea to give Brady & Co. added incentive. “I know we’ve had a lot of pretty lonely feelings when we’re driving out of that stadium”. I feel like when he’s there, they’re a complete team this year.

“That’s what it comes down to”. “They’re always in my way”. They’re always in my way to get what I want. No matter how well Denver’s defense plays, Brady will make plays. The thought came to me earlier in the season when the Broncos beat the Patriots.

“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. Pats’ LB Jamie Collins is one of the league’s best linebackers. He does a great job doing what he needs to do…. “Whichever ones he decides to use, we have to be ready for and deal with”.

The Patriots, meanwhile, listed 16 players as questionable to play, including tight end Rob Gronkowski (knee and back) and wide receivers Danny Amendola (knee) and Julian Edelman (foot). He was a second-year quarterback who had been fourth string the season before. But they have struggled in scoring range, and have more than twice as many field goals (seven) as touchdowns (three).

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. “We’ve helped him have a lot of those guys, but Edelman sure fits in that mold”. “But they were missing some guys, too”.

Patrick Chung and Matthew Slater were the most recent additions to the injury report, but they are probable and questionable respectively.

“There’s only two teams left standing (in the AFC)”.

If you hope for any chance at beating the Patriots, constant pressure on QB Tom Brady remains a must.