Patriots-Broncos Prediction

This week 12 match up will be crucial for both teams involved. The Patriots look to avoid losing 2 straight while also knocking Denver down a notch, and the Broncos will look to supplant themselves as the best team in the NFL. Overall this game is going to be wide open with two elite quarterback with history battling for bragging rights. Both teams will look to pass early and often to neutralize the pass rush and with neither teams secondary being able to handle the opposing offense I think this game will turn into a relative shoot out. Look for Shane Vereen and Demaryius Thomas to have big games offensively. Most likely a mistake will win this game, so if its not Ridley fumbling then look for Manning to have a crucial interception. I have the Patriots winning and the only reason is because the "bend but don't break" mentality  on defense will slow down the Broncos just enough.

Patriots 34 Broncos 31 in a fun back and forth offensive game

4 Keys to a Patriots Win Against Denver

The upcoming Patriots- Broncos game will be the toughest test for this years Patriots team, it will also be a crucial factor in AFC playoff seeding. Here's what The Patriots need to do to beat the Broncos on Sunday night.

Press Coverage --- I read an article this week on how quickly Manning got the ball out against the Cheifs in last weeks game. In case you didn't know the Chiefs are one of the top pass rushing teams in the league but they didn't get to Manning once. Manning's quick release and timing with his receivers is too good to allow a free release. The Patriots corners will have to push up and battle these receivers at the line to disrupt Manning's timing and make him hold onto the ball longer.

Pressure Up The Middle --- After watching Tom Brady operate for his entire career in Foxboro, Patriot fans should know that rushing of the edge against elite quarterbacks rarely works. Elite quarterbacks will simply step up into the pocket, away from the edge pressure, and deliver and accurate pass downfield. However no quarterback in the NFL is comfortable with pressure right in his face, and that's exactly what the Patriots need to do. The Pats need to find a way to generate a good pass rush up the middle, luckily for the Patriots Peyton Manning  can't scramble like Cam Newton can.

Be Effective Deep and Outside --- Every team in the NFL knows that Tom Brady can tear up a defense over the middle with Gronk and slot receivers so the Broncos will likely clog the middle of the field. The Broncos secondary leaves a lot to be desired and the Patriots need to look for Dobson and Thompkins on the outside and over the top of the defense when the coverage allows it., looking for chunk yardage more often then usual.

Run off the pass --- As bad as the Broncos are in pass coverage they are very good at stopping the run, ranking in the top portion in the league. The Patriots need to establish the Passing game first and then run when the defense is on it's heels. The Patriots need to use Ridley and Vereen on draw plays and shotgun runs to take advantage of a pass rush that will be attempting to get to Brady.

WARNING - Do Not Re-Sign Aqib Talib

Aqib Talib has been an impact player so far this season there is no doubt of that. The Pass break up he had to end the game against the Falcons was textbook, and his shutdown of Jimmy Graham was unbelievable. However come end of the season it would be in the Patriots best interest not to re-sign Aqib Talib to a multi year deal. Don't think because I don't want the Patriots to re-sign Talib that I don't like him as a player, It's actually quite the opposite. I love Talib as a player, I love his prototypical size, I love his man cover ability, I love his hilarious comments (two shirting it/ in it to wiiiiiin), and I love what he allows the Patriots to do. There is no doubt Talib makes the Patriots defense a whole lot better but the Patriots need to look for an alternative this off season for 2 reasons.

Character Issues First of all Talib has played amazing this year, which will probably cause salary concerns when Talib asks for 10+ million dollars.  However If i was the GM of the Patriots I would re-sign Talib in a heart beat at almost any price if not for his character issues. Talib has a bad history off the field but more importantly, when Talib fought with Panthers wide out Steve Smith this past week all it showed was that Talib does not care about the team like he should. In a crucial game coming off the Bye week, against a surging  Opponent, and the week before the broncos game Talib is out on the field jeopardizing his teams chance of victory. If he  cannot control himself in that situation then whats too say he wont do the same thing in the playoffs.

Health Once again Talib is injured heading into week 12 and may miss the game. Not only has Talib missed many games already with the Patriots he also seems to always miss key games. Last year he was injured during key games against the 49ers and in the Playoffs against the Ravens, and this year he has missed divisional games, part of the Panthers game, and may miss the Broncos game. you want your star player to be on the field making plays when it matters and Talib hasn't been on the field in crunch time at all since arriving from Tampa.

Unfortunately for the Patriots Aqib Talib is too much of a liability too be re-signed for the next few years.