Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
Paper champions.
Yes, I'm calling out the Denver Broncos right now and Boy Wonder first-year coach Josh McDaniels.
Is anyone else still laughing at how the Broncos -- at least based on their record -- are one of the top teams in the NFL?
Ha, ha, ha, ha.
I know they're 4-0 and should be respected to a certain extent, but come on.
With Kyle Orton at the helm, a first-year coach in McDaniels who had a long and drawn out fight with former QB Jake Cutler on who had the bigger binkie and eventually traded him, are you scared? Even a little? Even since it's getting close to Halloween?
No way.
Look at the teams the Broncos beat -- Cincinnati, Cleveland, Oakland and Dallas. The Bengals might just be the best team out of that bunch. Excuse me while I stick my finger down my throat and ralph.
Now comes the real test for these Broncos. What can they do against one of the elite teams in the NFL?
You can bet former Patriots assistant coach McDaniels had this game circles on his calendar when he took the job. Bet he's wondering how his football mind will and does match up against the guru Bill Belichick.
Bet on the master in this one.
Say what you want about this no-name Patriots defense, but they are playing great team defense. No superstars -- well, safety Brandon Merriweather is on his way to that level along with Jerod Mayo, who is expected to be back from injury - but this defense flies to the football and doesn't surrender the big play.
Denver really isn't a tough offense to stop with Orton running the show. While Orton hasn't thrown a pick this season, he plays a conservative game by dinking and dunking the ball. McDaniels better force him to take some shots against the Pats with WR Brandon Marshall or there's no way they can string together 10- or 12-play drives to beat the Pats.
Denver has been trying to pound the rock with rookie Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter, but with Buckhalter hurt and iffy to play, the pressure falls squarely on Moreno to carry the load. The Pats will take away the run first -- which is their approach every week -- and force Orton to beat them.
And there's no way Orton can do it. There's a reason why he played behind Rex Grossman in Chicago at one point in his career.
Meanwhile, the Patriots were dealt a blow by losing tailback Fred Taylor, the cream of the crop in the Pats backfield. But considering they're a passing team first and foremost, expect more throws by Brady, even it's to Kevin Faulk, Sammy Morris or Laurence Maroney for 3-yard gains instead of trying to pound it between the tackles.
Anyway, one key worry for the Pats should be defensive end Elvis Dumervil, who is tied for the NFL lead in sacks with eight.
This guy is a beast off the edge, and with Matt Light constantly having issues with quick pass-rushing specialists, big advantage to Denver when Dumervil pins his ears back and tries to attack Brady.
Light will need help the entire day, so the Pats better keep a tight end or running back in to double Dumervil with Light because the tackle simply can't handle him.
And in the secondary, you always must know where safety Brian Dawkins and cornerback Champ Bailey are. Dawkins can pick off passes -- although he's a step slower than in his Philly days -- and he can knock your lights out with bone-rattling hits. And Bailey is still a top-of-the-line cover corner. Randy Moss vs. Bailey will be an interesting matchup.
Denver has allowed only 26 points in four games which is very impressive, but it hasn't seen an explosive team like the Patriots with Moss, Wes Welker, Julian Edelman, Ben Watson and whatever running back you want to put in there.
Oh, and don't forget about Brady -- the best QB in the NFL.
Brady showed last week in an impressive win over the Ravens that he's back.
I'll bet a six-pack that McDaniels hasn't slept much thinking about this matchup, and knowing Brady is regaining his form.
Here's my thinking: In order to be considered one of the elite, you've got to beat an elite team. Can Denver rise up at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver or will the Pats show the Broncos they've got a ways to go?
No doubt the Pats and Belichick teach little Joshy Boy McDaniels a thing or two about coaching this week. Belichick doesn't lose to rookie coaches!!
Prediction: Patriots 30-17
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