Divisional playoffs – Patriots at Broncos
New England Patriots at Denver Broncos
Invesco Field at Mile High
Saturday, 14 January
2000 EST on CBS / 0100 GMT on Sky Sports Xtra
As with every game in thie divisional round, the Broncos and Patriots have faced each other already this season, with Denver coming out on top 28-20 at home in week six. What you make of that result is your choice. Do you look at Denver taking a 25-point lead or Patriots quarterback Tom Brady leading a fourth-quarter comeback that was a completion away from at least forcing overtime? Do you pay attention to Broncs QB Jake Plummer throwing for 262 yards or note throws of 72 and 55 yards and put it down to blown defensive coverage by an beaten-up Patriots defense?
What is for sure is New England are not the same team that showed up in the Mile High City three months ago. Injuries ravaged the Pats for much of the season, which only really picked up in the final month, when a four-game winning streak clinched the division and revived the "threepeat" buzz that hadn't been heard since pre-season. Defensive end Richard Seymour returned to action, Asante Samuel stepped up at cornerback and Tedy Bruschi rode a wave of emotion to return from heart surgery after suffering a minor stroke after last season's Pro Bowl. Bruschi missed last weekend's win over Jacksonville (although Machiavellian coach Bill Belichick had him suited up on the sidelines) with a calf injury, and his return could be crucial if New England are to shut down the second-best rushing offense in the league this year. An injury to running-back Corey Dillon also leaves the offense pushed into a corner, but they have so many facets there is always a way out of trouble. Brady could use screens to his backs, short passes to the tight ends or go for broke to his big-play receiver Deion Branch.
Denver have enjoyed a week off after taking the second seed in the AFC but injuries have still taken their toll as Mike Anderson, who rushed for 1,014 yards this season, is out with ankle trouble. Fortunately Tatum Bell, who rushed for 921, is still there and could play a central role. The passing game was dependable this season, its seven interceptions the second-lowest in the league, leading to plaudits for Plummer. Jake the Snake was not always so parsimonious, though, and his gambling streak will come out if the running game is taken away from him.
Belichick has only had a single week to work on the game plan, but it doesn't take the Einstein of the coaching world to work out Plummer is one weak link. Denver's pass defense is the other, which is lucky with Dillon hobbling New England to win it 27-21, perhaps with another late Brady drive.
NFLBriefing.com
Invesco Field at Mile High
Saturday, 14 January
2000 EST on CBS / 0100 GMT on Sky Sports Xtra
As with every game in thie divisional round, the Broncos and Patriots have faced each other already this season, with Denver coming out on top 28-20 at home in week six. What you make of that result is your choice. Do you look at Denver taking a 25-point lead or Patriots quarterback Tom Brady leading a fourth-quarter comeback that was a completion away from at least forcing overtime? Do you pay attention to Broncs QB Jake Plummer throwing for 262 yards or note throws of 72 and 55 yards and put it down to blown defensive coverage by an beaten-up Patriots defense?
What is for sure is New England are not the same team that showed up in the Mile High City three months ago. Injuries ravaged the Pats for much of the season, which only really picked up in the final month, when a four-game winning streak clinched the division and revived the "threepeat" buzz that hadn't been heard since pre-season. Defensive end Richard Seymour returned to action, Asante Samuel stepped up at cornerback and Tedy Bruschi rode a wave of emotion to return from heart surgery after suffering a minor stroke after last season's Pro Bowl. Bruschi missed last weekend's win over Jacksonville (although Machiavellian coach Bill Belichick had him suited up on the sidelines) with a calf injury, and his return could be crucial if New England are to shut down the second-best rushing offense in the league this year. An injury to running-back Corey Dillon also leaves the offense pushed into a corner, but they have so many facets there is always a way out of trouble. Brady could use screens to his backs, short passes to the tight ends or go for broke to his big-play receiver Deion Branch.
Denver have enjoyed a week off after taking the second seed in the AFC but injuries have still taken their toll as Mike Anderson, who rushed for 1,014 yards this season, is out with ankle trouble. Fortunately Tatum Bell, who rushed for 921, is still there and could play a central role. The passing game was dependable this season, its seven interceptions the second-lowest in the league, leading to plaudits for Plummer. Jake the Snake was not always so parsimonious, though, and his gambling streak will come out if the running game is taken away from him.
Belichick has only had a single week to work on the game plan, but it doesn't take the Einstein of the coaching world to work out Plummer is one weak link. Denver's pass defense is the other, which is lucky with Dillon hobbling New England to win it 27-21, perhaps with another late Brady drive.
NFLBriefing.com
posted by MG at
10:15 PM
1 Comments:
Go Pats!
Think you are right on this one.
My gut tells me that the returning starters to the Pats will make the improvement in the secondary the decisive factor. I also expect that the Pats will be tougher against the run with Tedy back.
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Anonymous, at 9:27 PM
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