Patriots-Broncos AFC Championship Game Predictions
BOSTON (CBS) -- For the second time in three years, it will be the Patriots and Broncos battling in Denver for a trip to the Super Bowl.
New England and Denver will square off in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday afternoon, as Tom Brady and Peyton Manning-led teams square off for the 17th time. But Sunday's game is much, much more than just the two quarterbacks.
Check out some of the predictions for Sunday's game from the WBZ-TV, WBZ NewsRadio and 98.5 The Sports Hub teams:
Steve Burton, WBZ-TV Sports
Brady vs. Manning. Neither quarterback has beaten the other on the road since 2007, but you get the feeling Tom Brady is about to change all of that.
Brady has his weapons back (Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola), which he didn't have when the Patriots lost in Denver back in Week 12. Yes, crazy things happen in Denver, but they happen to the Broncos as well. In fact, Tom Brady has thrown more touchdowns in Denver (3) this season than Peyton Manning (1), and that's hard to believe.
Patriots 28, Broncos 17
Dan Roche, WBZ-TV Sports
This has the potential makings of a good one, with lots of interesting matchups. Tom Brady showed how lethal the Patriots offense still is when he's got his healthy stable of receivers and tight ends, as he dismantled a good KC defense with ease.
Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola didn't play in the first meeting, an overtime win by the Broncos. The Denver secondary lacks depth and corner Chris Harris Jr. played the Steeler game with basically one arm due to a shoulder injury. If Brady has time, watch out. As for the Broncos, C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman ran for 179 yards and three touchdowns in the first meeting against New England, and there's no reason why they shouldn't try to duplicate that effort against a linebacker crew that is banged up and minus Jerod Mayo (placed on IR earlier this week). Patrick Chung could be key for the Pats.
Brady leads Manning 9-3 in the regular season while they are 2-2 in postseason matchups. Look for Brady to continue his vengeance tour this weekend.
Patriots 27, Broncos 24
Levan Reid, WBZ-TV Sports
I was at the Patriots game this past week and I watched the Denver game on Sunday and, honestly, if New England doesn't win this game and move on to the Super Bowl I will be extremely surprised.
They are three point favorites, on the road in a championship game. I'm not sure if I have ever seen that before. What would be line be if the Pats were at home?
With Julian Edelman back in the mix, the Pats are simply the better team. They are hard to match up against and that's going to be the case on Sunday. I know this game is being billed as "Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady" but it should be changed to Brady vs. the Denver Broncos defense.
That defense hasn't shown jack. The depleted Steelers went up and down on the field on them this past week. I expect the Pats to somewhat do the same.
Then it's Manning versus Bill Belichick. Manning, in his prime, was a better threat. He would push Bill to come up with different schemes, and Belichick would force Peyton to use the check down and the run. That's all changed now though. Peyton is still one of the smartest quarterbacks to ever play the game but his skills have diminished.
This is still a great game. I feel the Pats will win and Brady and Belichick will be off to their seventh Super Bowl.
Patriots 26, Broncos 14
Mike "Sarge" Riley 98.5 The Sports Hub/WBZ News Radio 1030AM
I'll keep this short and simple, because I'll likely be public enemy No. 1 after this, but if the game were in Foxboro, the Pats would take the cake. Unfortunately, it's not and Denver is the house of horrors for the Patriots.
I hope I am wrong, I really hope I am.
Broncos 27, Patriots 23
Rob "Hardy" Poole, 98.5 The Sports Hub
I was working on a steak the other day when I saw Waddy in the Rattlesnake Cafe, dressed in black, tossing back a shot of rye, finding things to do in Denver when you die.
Patriots 12, Broncos 11
Tune in to Sunday's Patriots-Broncos AFC Championship game on 98.5 The Sports Hub and WBZ-TV — the flagship stations of the New England Patriots. Pregame coverage begins on 98.5FM at noon with Patriots Preview, following by three hours of postgame coverage after the game. WBZ-TV's coverage begins at noon with a two-hour edition of Patriots GameDay, with Patriots 5th Quarter being simulcast on WBZ-TV and myTV38 following the game. You can also stream the game on CBSSports.com.