McDaniels wants this W.New England (3-1) @ Denver (4-0)
Sunday 4:15 - CBS
Favorite: NE -3
Over/Under: 41
The time has come again. Bill Belichick will look to square off against another one of his coaching disciples in first year head coach Josh McDaniels. McDaniels, who began his NFL career with the Patriots in 2001 as a personal assistant in the scouting department, quickly blossomed through the coaching staff becoming QB coach in '04 and offensive coordinator '06-'08. Thus far he has translated his success to Denver, and has a team that believes in his system.
In the past the Patriots have not fared well against the Mike Shanahan led Broncos. In their last seven match-ups the Broncos have won five, and even more astonishing is the Pat's are just 2-11 history at Mile High. After a big home win last week against the Ravens, the Patriots will need to bring their A game to take down the surging Broncos.
Keys to the game:
Take care of the football on offense. One of the main reasons the Broncos sit at a comfortable 4-0 is because they lead the league with a turnover ratio of +7. They've done a very good job at protecting the football but an even better job of taking it away (very Bill Belichick of you Josh McDaniels). The weather will be sloppy on Sunday with a low of 35 degrees and rain/snow in the forecast. Brady must remain efficient on third down and above all not turn the ball over.
Make Elvis Dumervil a non-factor. The Broncos have lived off pressuring the QB this season. They are currently 2nd in the NFL with 15 sacks. Most of that production is due to Elvis Dumervil, who through four games of the season has 8 sacks, and is on pace to finish with a whopping 32. While that number won't last, Dumervil has flourished in Mike Nolan's new 3-4 scheme and fits the same mold as a James Harrison. If the Patriots can eliminate Denver's pass rush, they should be able to move the ball effectively.
Stop the Run. Josh McDaniels has proven it doesn't take a veteran coach to understand the importance of running the ball. After four weeks the Broncos are 4th in the NFL with 148 rushing yards per game. The Broncos will try and add to that stat with rookie first-round pick Knowshon Moreno getting his first NFL start. Look for the Pats to take away the run.
Force Kyle Orton to beat you. This comes hand in hand with shutting down the running game. Orton may be playing the best football of his career but in the fourth quarter with the game in his hands he cannot be trusted. If the Patriots can stop the run Orton will be forced to throw, a position the Patriots probably wouldn't mind.
Take away #15. Brandon Marshall single handedly gives the Broncos potential to go from a good offense to a great one. We know the Broncos will be careful with the football and try to run the ball, but with Marshall's presence on the outside he gives the offense someone that can stretch the field vertically. The Patriots have been bringing a lot of pressure packages lately so the Broncos will look to exploit the scenarios Belichick leaves Marshall one-on-one on the outside.
MORE:
-Adalius Thomas missed his second straight day of practice today; a bit concerning.
-Jerod Mayo practiced for a third straight day today.
Both defenses are very stingy. The Broncos rank 4th in Pass Defense and 5 in Rush defense, but they have not faced an offensively potent offense with the fire power Tommy boy has. I look for this to be close in the first half but the Broncos just won't be able to stay with the Pats. Look at their opponents so far (Cleveland (miracle) , Oakland, Cincy (for real or not), and Dallas who has been the most overrated joke of the NFL the last couple of seasons While the Patriots have faced some real contenders besides Buffalo. I look for the Falcons, Ravens to definetley make the playoffs.
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