Mike Dussault

Me and Frenz discussed this a lot today. I really think the Patriots’ offense is in a great position. On account of their last two games, the Broncos have to respect the New England running game, but the Broncos’ pass defense is definitely weakened without Von Miller and Chris Harris Jr.

So I think the Patriots will feel it out early. See how they play against the Pats’ power run game and see how they do against more spread concepts.

My idea this morning on the podcast was to come out in a spread, hurry-up with Vereen in the game. Not because this should be the gameplan focus, but because it’s likely not what the Broncos are expecting. It will get the Broncos defensive lineman moving and the sooner they tire out, the sooner it will be easier to run on them.

But I think the Pats offense can let the game come to them. Granted they’re not the prolific passing offense they were in recent seasons, but they can still move the ball through the air, especially if Dobson is out there, providing at least some kind of outside threat who can get vertical.

The trickle down effect of that could mean Danny Amendola’s drawing Marquice Cole in coverage, a matchup the Pats might feel good about exploiting.

Denver is in a tough spot and if the Pats start ripping off big chunks of yardage it could leave the Broncos defense scrambling and unprepared for play action.

No question the Broncos have the better weapons offensively, but I really do like how the Pats matchup on both sides of the ball.

I feel a lot better about it after what they did in Baltimore in Week 16, that’s for sure. There’s no question, the Pats were inconsistent on the road this year, often times from half to half. 

Denver is never an easy place to play, but the elements should be fairly tame. It’s the air and the lack of defensive front seven depth that concerns me a bit. Subs Joe Vellano, Andre Carter, Michael Buchanan and Dane Fletcher can expect to see at least a slight bump in the snaps they play, and they’ll need to play well in those instances.

Manning will try to take advantage of rookies like Vellano and Bunchanan when they do get in there, it’s important for them not to try and do too much.

I’m also glad that at least Wilfork will be there, because the lack of leadership without Mayo and him on the field can hurt in big games like this. But a lot of the team has still played in big games, and sometimes not knowing what you don’t know can be an advantage.

We’ve seen this team fight for 60 minutes plenty of times this season and I expect no less, regardless of the magnitude of the game. They don’t know anything else. I’m sure they’ll give up some plays, but the Broncos will have to put them away, they won’t go quietly.

It should be all hands on deck this week and they really need him. Not because he’s a game-changer but by his presence on the outside it just brings another dynamic that the Broncos will have to deal with. He’s a tall receiver and will bring at least the threat of a corner fade inside the red zone and also an element of speed.

Even if he doesn’t catch a pass he can have an impact, opening things up a bit more inside for Edelman, Amendola and Vereen. I think he plays, at this point there’s nothing to save it for.