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New England Patriots 2016 Season Prediction

By Jaydeen Allen

Jan 27, 2016; Canton, OH, USA; General view of Super Bowl XXXVIII championship ring to commemorate the New England Patriots victory over the Carolina Panthers on February 1, 2004 on display at the at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY NETWORK
Jan 27, 2016; Canton, OH, USA; General view of Super Bowl XXXVIII championship ring to commemorate the New England Patriots victory over the Carolina Panthers on February 1, 2004 on display at the at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY NETWORK /
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Week 14 – New England Patriots at Denver Broncos *CBS 4:25pm EST* 

Jan 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady reacts on the ground after being tackled against the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady reacts on the ground after being tackled against the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

At this point, the Broncos and Patriots might as well be in the same division, as they have found themselves playing each other once a season since 2011.

In the AFC Championship game last season, the Patriots traveled to Mile High Stadium to face the Denver Broncos in what would be Peyton Manning and Tom Brady’s last showdown.

The game ended in a final score of 20-18 Broncos, but this game was nowhere near that close. If Peyton Manning still had an arm, perhaps this game would’ve been much uglier.

Brady was hit more than 20 times on 56 attempts, having one of his worst games of recent memory. Brady did throw two costly interceptions, but it’s due to the Broncos pass rush and their ability to constantly create pressure. It also helped that Broncos fielded the best secondary in the league to compliment the best front seven.

The Broncos were simply the better team on the field that day, and that entire season consisted of their defense shutting down some of the best offenses and constantly pressuring opposing quarterbacks (ex. Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers).

This season won’t be too different. Aside from some major departures such as Brock Osweiler, LB Danny Trevathan, and DE Malik Jackson, the Broncos will be bringing back their core players on both offense and defense.

The only major difference is starting QB.

The Broncos traded for QB Mark Sanchez during free agency and drafted QB Paxton Lynch in the first round. It’s way too early to say who will win the battle as starting quarterback, however, it may not be a huge deal for the Broncos as they were able to win a Super Bowl with a QB that couldn’t feel his finger tips and hardly had enough strength to throw the ball downfield.

If the Broncos are still in contention at this point in the season, expect this to have a playoff game feeling to it.

These Patriots will be battled-tested at this point in the season, having played through a gauntlet of difficult teams, however, having to play the Ravens on Monday Night Football means having somewhat of a shorter week to prepare for the league’s best defense.

There is a chance the Patriots can escape with a win, but for that to happen, Sanchez/Lynch would need to be careless with the ball.

*Records don’t play a huge part in deciding victories, although, when Tom Brady travels to Mile High Stadium, he has a record of 2-8 (three straight loses). Is this his kryptonite?*

45. 21. 47. Final. 24

Record: 11-3

Next: Week 16 - Locking up the First Seed

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