The Denver Broncos are one win away from the Super Bowl.
Now Jarrett Stidham, Sean Payton, and the Broncos will look to put forth a game that keeps the season alive this Sunday. And once again, the New England Patriots are the opponent. For those keeping track, this is the third time the Broncos will host New England in the AFC title game. This is also the first time Denver will host the AFC championship.
It’s no surprise that Denver is the home underdog without starting quarterback Bo Nix. FanDuel
Sportsbook has the Broncos as the +5.5-point underdogs. The total sits at over/under 42.5 points.
Offensive Rankings (post-season)
New England: Ninth in total offense (314.5 yards per game), sixth in rushing offense (125.5 YPG), 10th in passing offense (189.0 YPG), 10th in scoring offense (22.0 points per game).
Denver: Sixth in total offense (349.0 yards per game), 13th in rushing offense (70.0 YPG), third in passing offense (279.0 YPG), second in scoring offense (33.0 points per game).
Defensive Rankings (regular season)
New England: Second in total defense (224.0 yards per game), first in rushing defense (67.5 YPG), fourth in passing defense (156.5 YPG), second in scoring defense (9.5 points per game).
Denver: Fourteenth in total defense (449.0 yards per game), 14th in rushing defense (183.0 YPG), 10th in passing defense (266.0 YPG), 10th in scoring defense (30.0 points per game).
Here are the MHR staff’s keys to Sunday’s game.
Win the line of scrimmage
For the Broncos to advance to Super Bowl 60, they need to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and win it. Check that, Denver needs to dominate the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Regardless of who the running back is, consistently open lanes in the run game. The Broncos offensive line also needs to give protection to Stidham. Give him time in the pocket. On defense, the front must do a better job in run defense. Denver’s defense cannot get gashed on the ground as it did against the Buffalo Bills. The Broncos have the best rush in the NFL, but stopping the run is the only way for the rushers to do their job. Win the line of scrimmage, win the game. — Ian St. Clair
Defense must win on third down
For the Broncos to win this week, the defense needs to win on third down. They can’t expect 30 points from the offense, so getting the Patriots offense off the field is priority No. 1. I’m expecting Vance Joseph’s creative blitz plays to be the difference maker on third downs. — sadaraine
Limit the mistakes and miscues on offense and defense
With Sitdham starting at quarterback, the Broncos have a tougher battle ahead of them. To defeat the Patriots and advance to Super Bowl 60, they can’t afford mistakes or miscues. No turning the ball over on offense, no big-time penalties that put them at a disadvantage, and receivers can’t continue to drop the ball. The offense needs to be as clean as possible, going against a formidable Patriots defense that does a good job of forcing turnovers and limiting points. The same can be said for the defense. No bone-headed penalties, and it has to stop giving up big plays on third down. — Christopher Hart
Preparation
I was frustrated that Vance Joseph and Co. didn’t seem prepared for all the things we knew would be the Bills’ plan going into the game. Their bread and butter is beating you up on the ground, running with Josh Allen, and getting cheap yards off play action and leak outs from their TEs, and they did all of those things at will on Saturday. Plus, they’ve had success multiple times in clutch moments on the hook and ladder, and we didn’t seem prepared for it on a must-have drive. I’m hoping this week, we’ll be a lot more focused on stopping the things New England likes to do, and I like our pass rush and secondary’s chances against Drake Maye. — Jeffrey Essary
Start fast
A good early drive by he offense would do wonders for this game. It will give everyone the belief that the Broncos can beat this team without Nix. I think that’s what they do, but an early touchdown by Stidham would certainly steel my nerves a bit. — Tim Lynch
