AFC Championship Preview: New England Patriots Defense vs Denver Broncos Offense
By Hal Bent
Nov 24, 2013; Foxborough, MA, USA; Denver Broncos running back Montee Ball (28) fumbles the ball against New England Patriots linebacker Dane Fletcher (52) and defensive end Rob Ninkovich (50) in the third quarter at Gillette Stadium. The New England Patriots defeated the Denver Broncos 34-31. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
The New England Patriots will play the Denver Broncos on Sunday afternoon in the AFC Championship Game. Coming off their defeat of Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday night the Patriots will be facing off against the number one seed in the AFC in Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. After a dramatic week twelve comeback victory against Denver at home in frigid, windy Foxboro, MA, this time New England is in the Mile High city as they battle the Broncos for the right to represent the AFC against either NFC representative in the Super Bowl.
In the week twelve match-up against Denver Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia presented Denver quarterback Peyton Manning with an irresistible temptation: a two deep shell with extra defensive backs for every snap (all 90) on defense. The Patriots were in a 17-0 halftime hole (soon to be 24-0) due to Denver outside linebacker Von Miller inserting his influence all over the field. Fortunately for the Patriots offense, Von Miller will not be on the field Sunday.
On the field will be quarterback Peyton Manning for Denver. In addition to his lightning-quick decision-making his much improved arm strength has allowed him to put up unparalleled statistics in 2013. With Manning, a defense does not so much as stop him as much as it simply slows him down.
While New England escaped with a victory in week twelve against Denver, the Broncos offense will again be the biggest test of the revamped, reworked, and renewed Patriots defense. Previously the match-up of the Patriots offense and Broncos defense was detailed HERE at MusketFire.com, this piece will focus on the match-up between the Patriots defense and the Broncos high-powered, record-setting offense.