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New England Patriots at Denver Broncos: Breaking Down the Matchups

By Hal Bent

Dec 12, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) looks to throw against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) looks to throw against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports /
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New England Patriots
Dec 4, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) is hit in the back by Jacksonville Jaguars outside linebacker Telvin Smith (50) during the first quarter of an NFL football game at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Denver Broncos Offense vs New England Patriots Defense:

Remember when Adam Gase and Jim Bob Cooter were running the Denver offense in 2013 and the team put up 606 points (37.9 points per game average)? That offense scored more than 40 points six times that season (including topping 50 points three times). Only one team held that Broncos’ offense under 27 points during the regular season.

Well, other wide receiver Demaryius Thomas and back-up tight end Virgil Green this offense has completely turned over at every position. This Broncos offense features a revolving door at running back, a young and unheralded quarterback learning on the job while battling injuries, and two receivers accounting for being targeted on 54% of all passes thrown this season.

Denver Rushing Attack

Denver is ranked 16th in scoring and 19th in passing. While those statistics are middle-of-the-pack, the rushing offense has been terrible. The team is ranked 27th in the NFL in rushing and are averaging just 3.6 yards per rush.

After paying a premium to bring back running back C.J. Anderson at running back as a restricted free agent, the Broncos got just 437 yards from him before landing on injured reserve with a knee injury. Devontae Booker has been terrible, Kapri Bibbs flashed potential then went down with an ankle injury, and Denver has been forced to sign street free agent Justin Forsett.

The Denver rushing attack ground out 179 yards against New England in week twelve last year (most of the yards when linebacker Dont’a Hightower left the game with an injury). Denver was not great running the ball last year but they were 17th in the league running the ball and ran well enough to keep the pass rush off their quarterbacks.

This year the Broncos’ offense has been primarily Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders.  Just look at last week where 30 of the 51 passes thrown by quarterback Trevor Siemian went to the duo. Look at the rest of the options: tight ends A.J. Derby and Virgil Green, rookie wide receiver Jordan Taylor, washout Cody Latimer, and special teamer Bennie Fowler.

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