Patriots-Broncos Predictions
BOSTON (CBS) - The 98.5 The Sports Hub and WBZ-TV Sports teams make their predictions for the Patriots-Broncos game at Gillette Stadium on Sunday.
Scott Zolak, 98.5 The Sports Hub
Being around the team this there seemed to be a general thrill of excitement for the weather forecast for the game. There is a lot of wind and a lot of rain, and I think that plays into the Patriots hands.
Offensively I think the Patriots are going to open it up. I think they'll continue to mix in the run, but Brady is going to continue to use what he's done for the last two games -- putting the offense in the right position to succeed.
I look for a big day from Rob Gronkowski, who is playing his brother. 30 people from Buffalo are coming and I don't see Gronk letting them down.
I don't think it will be close from the get-go; the Patriots get on top early and Denver is fighting to get back. I like the Patriots big in this one.
Patriots 37, Broncos 16
Andy Gresh, 98.5 The Sports Huba
The question is whether Denver can keep up with the Patriots as they come out East.
The Broncos are going to score their 23 points with manning Getting his. He'll go for 275, but let's not freak out; that's the new NFL.
Patriots 35, Broncos 23
Steve Burton, WBZ-TV Sports
Brady and Manning, here we go again. We have been blessed with this match up so many times over the years.
Both quarterbacks are coming off their best games of the year, and when the Patriots had both their run game and pass game going no team can beat them. That's if they play 60 minutes off football.
On defense, the Broncos D is rock solid, but is there any defense that hits harder than the Patriots? Between Chandler Jones, Vince Wilfork and Brandon Spikes, that trio right there can even make Peyton Manning shutter.
People don't think Manning can be rattled, but I still think he can.
The Patriots are hoping to build on the six turnovers they created last week. And don't worry about the kicking game, Stephen Gostkowski will be there when it counts.
Patriots 38, Broncos 21
The Patriots scored at will against the Broncos in their two meetings last season. Expect more of the same from Brady. No huddle would seem to be a perfect thing to run here.
On defense, Peyton Manning presents all kinds of problems for the Pats. Tim Tebow was awesome last year for Denver, but the Pats handled him with relative ease. Now with Peyton Manning calling the shots, it will be tough. Not only is it hard to get any pressure on him, but he always seems to find any mismatches. It could be a tough day for the Pats secondary.
I think the Pats win by 3-4 points.
Patriots 31, Broncos 27
Levan Reid, WBZ-TV Sports
People may hate me for saying this but I missed Peyton Manning last season. The league is not the same when those who compete at an elite level are not involved.
So we should be happy that Peyton is back, and so is the Brady-Manning rivalry.
I have listened to all the stuff the Broncos have had to say this week and clearly, that loss in the playoffs last year really stuck with them. They think Manning gives them a better chance to win, and it's pretty hard to argue with that logic.
But it's not enough to win. Not against these Patriots.
The Pats may have found the balance that they have been looking for, with the running game once again rounding out into shape, and that has helped out the Patriots passing attack. The defense has found their mojo and are causing turnovers in the bunches. I expect them to get some more and win this game come Sunday evening.
Patriots 34, Broncos 24
Tune in to Patriots-Broncos this Sunday at 4:25pm on 98.5 The Sports Hub and WBZ-TV. Pregame coverage begins with Patriots Gameday at 11:30am on WBZ-TV, and with Patriots Preview at 1pm on 98.5. Following the game, tune in to 3-hours of post game coverage on the Hub, and Patriots 5th Quarter on MyTV38.
