The Horsehead Game Preview: Divisional Playoff Broncos vs. New England
Well, I think this game has been talked about as much as any Divisional Playoff Game can be. I was ready for the ball to be kicked off Tuesday. Now it's time. Here are my thoughts on the X's and O's of Saturday's matchup.
When Denver Has the Ball
Denver Running the Ball: This is the strength vs. strength matchup everyone will be watching, New England's improved run defense vs. Denver's vaunted running game. The sentiment is that New England's run defense has improved so much that they are ready to stop Mike Anderson, Tatum Bell, and the Broncos Offensive Line. That is a leap of faith when they've played the Jets twice, Buffalo, Rutgers, Syracuse, Tampa Bay, Miami, and Jacksonville. Okay I made up Rutgers and Syracuse but you see my point. What they will face against Denver is a step up from those teams not just because of the talent in the running game but the uniqueness of it. The constant change of pace between Bell and Anderson, the zone blocking, and add this. Patriot Nose Tackle Vince Wilfork will have to magically find a way to improve his performance against Denver Center Tom Nalen and Tedy Bruschi is not 100% with a calf injury. The Patriots are still vulnerable up the middle.
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Denver Passing the Ball: Bronco fans have to be honest, we still don't know what kind of game we're going to get out of Jake Plummer. Is his deal with the devil going to end and we will get a multi-interception game out him or will we get the poised West Coast Offense, Stretch Bootleg passer we've grown to like. New England's game plan will be to increase the possibility of Jake becoming Old Jake again by forcing him to play in obvious passing situations and playing from behind. I'm sure Jake knows the jury is still out on him and how he responds will be imperative to the Broncos chances.
Denver Kicking/Punting the Ball: Jason Elam's days of making 50+ yard Field Goals are over so the Broncos better get inside the Red Zone often. Todd Sauerbrun is an underrated factor in this game. Making Brady go over 80 yards is easier than making him go 70.
When New England Has the Ball
New England Running the Ball: I just don't see the Patriots doing this with any success regularly. Denver's linebackers are too fast and Corey Dillion and Kevin Faulk are beat up and not the players they used to be. That's not to say they won't get important yards and that's what you need to be fearful of when playing the run, hopefully they'll be doing this on 3rd down when Denver can send Gold, Wilson, and Williams attack the run.
New England Throwing the Ball: What Brady brings to the table in intangibles is the one thing Denver does not have an answer for. His numbers on the road this year have not been impressive, but I've seen this kid own the playoffs for three seasons now. It is his stage and the Broncos need to beat HIM on HIS stage. In the Week 6 game they never sacked him but hit him on almost every play and then rattled him when they didn't blitz. I would try to do the opposite this time. Drop back the linebackers into coverage, especially when Ben Watson lines up at Tight End and blitz intermittenly. Still, no one should be counting on shutting down Tom Brady as the Denver key to victory.
New England Kicking/Punting the Ball: Let's just hope New England doesn't have the ball down 2 in the final minute.
When Denver Has the Ball
Denver Running the Ball: This is the strength vs. strength matchup everyone will be watching, New England's improved run defense vs. Denver's vaunted running game. The sentiment is that New England's run defense has improved so much that they are ready to stop Mike Anderson, Tatum Bell, and the Broncos Offensive Line. That is a leap of faith when they've played the Jets twice, Buffalo, Rutgers, Syracuse, Tampa Bay, Miami, and Jacksonville. Okay I made up Rutgers and Syracuse but you see my point. What they will face against Denver is a step up from those teams not just because of the talent in the running game but the uniqueness of it. The constant change of pace between Bell and Anderson, the zone blocking, and add this. Patriot Nose Tackle Vince Wilfork will have to magically find a way to improve his performance against Denver Center Tom Nalen and Tedy Bruschi is not 100% with a calf injury. The Patriots are still vulnerable up the middle..
Denver Passing the Ball: Bronco fans have to be honest, we still don't know what kind of game we're going to get out of Jake Plummer. Is his deal with the devil going to end and we will get a multi-interception game out him or will we get the poised West Coast Offense, Stretch Bootleg passer we've grown to like. New England's game plan will be to increase the possibility of Jake becoming Old Jake again by forcing him to play in obvious passing situations and playing from behind. I'm sure Jake knows the jury is still out on him and how he responds will be imperative to the Broncos chances.Denver Kicking/Punting the Ball: Jason Elam's days of making 50+ yard Field Goals are over so the Broncos better get inside the Red Zone often. Todd Sauerbrun is an underrated factor in this game. Making Brady go over 80 yards is easier than making him go 70.
When New England Has the Ball
New England Running the Ball: I just don't see the Patriots doing this with any success regularly. Denver's linebackers are too fast and Corey Dillion and Kevin Faulk are beat up and not the players they used to be. That's not to say they won't get important yards and that's what you need to be fearful of when playing the run, hopefully they'll be doing this on 3rd down when Denver can send Gold, Wilson, and Williams attack the run.
New England Throwing the Ball: What Brady brings to the table in intangibles is the one thing Denver does not have an answer for. His numbers on the road this year have not been impressive, but I've seen this kid own the playoffs for three seasons now. It is his stage and the Broncos need to beat HIM on HIS stage. In the Week 6 game they never sacked him but hit him on almost every play and then rattled him when they didn't blitz. I would try to do the opposite this time. Drop back the linebackers into coverage, especially when Ben Watson lines up at Tight End and blitz intermittenly. Still, no one should be counting on shutting down Tom Brady as the Denver key to victory.
New England Kicking/Punting the Ball: Let's just hope New England doesn't have the ball down 2 in the final minute.
posted by Derek at 7:34 PM
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