Patriots vs. Broncos: 6 Bold Predictions

Jim O’Connor-USA TODAY Sports

6. LeGarrette Blount will carve Broncos for 125 yards

Yes, the Broncos surrender just 3.5 yards per carry. And yes, the Patriots are a pass-first team. But in this game, the Patriots will stress the run game from the first snap in order to quell the Denver pass rush, and Blount will take full advantage.

Running the ball is something the Pats should have done more of last week against the Buffalo Bills to slow down Rex Ryan’s blitzes a bit. The Broncos are as good as the Bills, if not better, at rushing the quarterback, so it is paramount that the Pats establish Blount early in the game.

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Blount will make most of his noise in the first half, tallying 75 rushing yards and a long touchdown run by halftime. His yards per carry average will suffer a bit in the second half, as the Pats will have the lead and the Broncos will know what’s coming. By the end of the game, Blount will have rushed 25 times for 125 yards and two touchdowns, good for a per-rush average of five yards.

With six games left to play in the regular season, Blount has 569 rushing yards to his name. By ripping off 125 yards on Sunday night, Blount will be in good position to pass the 1,000-yard mark on the season, a rare feat for a Patriots’ back.

Next: 5. Davis will score all of Denver’s TDs