AFC Championship Preview: New England Patriots Offense vs Denver Broncos Defense
By Hal Bent
Jan 12, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) is sacked in the fourth quarter by Denver Broncos defensive end Shaun Phillips (90) during the 2013 AFC divisional playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos beat the Chargers 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
San Diego ran the ball on 9 of their first 17 plays as they attempted to to control the clock, dictate the tempo of the game, and establish a physical presence. All they got was a 14-0 deficit and Denver sacking them three times as quarterback Philip Rivers was forced to throw out second and third and long. The Chargers went into halftime down two touchdowns and having wasted the entire first half with one net yard of passing offense and only 44 yards rushing on 12 carries.
While the Patriots offense may feel more confident with their quartet of running backs rather than an injured Ryan Mathews and receiving back Danny Woodhead, they are going to have to throw the ball in order to get Denver playing from behind and out of their offensive game plan and make quarterback Peyton Manning uncomfortable.
A key matchup will be the Patriots trio of slot receivers against the Denver defensive backs. Denver’s unquestioned number one cornerback is Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, but he is at his best on the outside and is a master of positioning along the sidelines. With New England struggling to find a healthy outside receiver between rookies Kenbrell Thompkins and Aaron Dobson, the Broncos will likely be forced to put Rodgers-Cromartie on either wide receiver Danny Amendola or Julian Edelman.
A key loss for Denver last week was cornerback Chris Harris Jr. Harris is probably the best kept secret in the NFL. The undrafted free agent out of Kansas has quietly turned himself into one of the most versatile cover cornerbacks in the game. He held opposing quarterbacks to a cumulative 64.9 quarterback rating (per ProFootballFocus.com) with nine passes defended, three interceptions, and only a single touchdown. Harris has the agility and versatility to line-up and lock-down the smaller, shifty receives like the Patriots roll out constantly at defenses.
Although Harris was beat by wide receiver Julian Edelman for a 14 yard touchdown pass in week twelve, he locked down Danny Amendola. Edelman did most of his damage against veteran Quentin Jammer. Rodgers-Cromartie was given the “Revis Treatment” by quarterback Tom Brady in the prior match-up as only one pass was thrown his way the entire game. With that in mind, defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio may want to use Rodgers-Cromartie as a deterrent and match him up on the hot receiver.
Behind Rodgers-Cromartie is veteran Quentin Jammer and rookie Kayvon Webster. Look for quarterback Tom Brady to identify and exploit whichever of the two is in the vicinity of any wide receiver (or Shane Vereen out in pass patterns). Wide receivers Danny Amendola and Julian Edelman and running back Shane Vereen are going to need to have stellar performances for the New England offense.