New England Patriots at Denver Broncos

Good news: Only one team the Broncos are realistically battling for a playoff spot, the Miami Dolphins, has the same record as Denver at 8-5. The Jets last won the AFC East in 2002. We had a couple penalties a couple drops; I think that’s the main thing.

The Patriots (11-2) enter the game with the best record in the AFC.

“They didn’t expect it”, Thomas said of the no-huddle offense in the first half.

The Pats beat the Denver Broncos, 16-3, yesterday at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, marking Tom Brady’s third victory in 10 tries in the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. That continued a season-long trend for the 8-6 squad, which came into the game second in the National Football League in total defense but just 24th on the other side of the ball.

Then Brady did the rest. Each of Denver’s three closing opponents has at least 10 wins.

“I can’t sit here and tell you what all the scenarios are, but if we don’t find a way to win 10 games, we’re not going to have an opportunity”, Kubiak said. One was not. Divisional games are always tough. Brady needs solid offensive line play today to stay upright against this team, led by Von Miller. And that one field goal that the Broncos got was pretty close, too.

Before the game began, the key for Broncos offense is to start fast. “It’s another great challenge with Brady coming up”. After showing life in the first quarter, the offense went more than two quarters without mounting a drive, putting the Broncos’ postseason hopes in peril. You have to imagine that they all felt a little apprehensive about their decision once the Patriots claimed him because New England rarely seems to get those kinds of decisions wrong. Now, if you listen to owner Jerry Jones, the Dallas Cowboys quarterback is not even safe from being benched in favor of Tony Romo before the season is over. The Broncos offense spent the whole duration of the quarter going three-and-out while the defense allowed just a 40-yard field goal from Gostkowski. The Broncos allow 127 yards per game on the ground, and teams log 30 attempts against them. Even though the Titans had a tough time moving the ball through the air, their rushing attack more than made up the difference.

Brady completed 16-of-32 passes for 188 yards, and he rebounded from an 0-of-6 first quarter. Trailing both the Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders by two games, the Broncos’ best chance of reaching the postseason comes in the form of the second AFC wild-card spot. It is fair to believe that if Brees can produce a 20-plus fantasy point day against this risky secondary, Tom Brady could with both hands tied behind his back.

“Nothing gotta change. We just got to take care of the ball, don’t turn the ball over”, he said after the game. “We see it all the time”.

Brady opened with four consecutive incompletions during a trio of three-and-outs, and the Broncos struck back with their second offensive series.

“He is the best quarterback in the league”, said Denver cornerback Aqib Talib, a former member of the Patriots. He relied on Rob Gronkowski in that game, hooking up with the tight end for eight completions for 144 yards, and Brady’s No. 1 target isn’t available Sunday.

Against Miller, the Patriots figure to add some blockers to his side or use formations and motion to force Miller into a coverage role, something other teams have tried.