Pats-Broncos

Starting in 2001, the Patriots became the model franchise in the NFL. They have run up a record of 70-23 (including playoffs) and won three Super Bowls (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX). In this time frame, Tom Brady (70-21 record as a starter) has become the 21st Century version of Joe Montana, coach Bill Belichick has evoked comparisons to Vince Lombardi, and the organization -- led by the Kraft family, Belichick, and Scott Pioli -- has become the standard by which the entire NFL now measures itself. So why can't they beat the Denver Broncos? Going back to the 2001 season, Denver gave the Patriots a fierce beating and forced Brady into tossing the first four interceptions of his young career in a 31-20 Bronco victory. The following year, Denver again pounded the Pats, by a score of 24-16. The Patriot defense was beat up by the powerful Denver rushing attack, a trend that doomed the team to a 9-7 record and a non-playoff season (the only one in Brady's career to date). In 2003, the Patriots pulled out a gutsy 30-26 win in Denver that was highlighted by Belichick's decision to take an intentional safety in the fourth quarter that gave the Broncos a lead at the time of 26-23. The Pats then held the Broncos and scored on the ensuing drive, giving them an important win on the way to a 14-2 regular season and the win in Super Bowl XXXVIII. Brady was huge in this game, going 20-35 for 350 yards and three touchdowns. The teams did not meet in 2004 but last year they met twice. In the regular season, Denver jumped out to 28-6 lead heading into the fourth quarter and held off the Patriots 28-20. The Bronco running game ran all over the Patriots, who were desperately missing Tedy Bruschi. In the Divisional Playoff game a few months later, the Broncos again jumped out to the lead, 17-6 going into the fourth, and won going away, 27-13. The game was filled with Patriot mistakes (penalties, fumbles, interceptions) and Denver capitalized just enough to get the win. So, without the Broncos, the Pats record since 2001 would be at least 69-19. Mike Shanahan's team has been a thorn in the side of Brady and Belichick and they hope to fix that tonight in Foxboro. The Broncos offense has been struggling with Jake Plummer at quarterback and the tandem of Mike Bell and Tatum bell at runningback. The Patriot defense has not been stellar in defeating the Bills and Jets so the pressure will be on to stop the Broncos weak attack. Offensively, Brady will continue to try and find a rhythm with his new receiving corps of Chad Jackson, Doug Gabriel, and Reche Caldwell. The running game -- highlighted by the efforts of Corey Dillon and Laurence Maroney ("Weapons of Grass Destruction") -- has been carrying the offense through the first two weeks. Prediction: Patriots - 31 Broncos - 16.