It has honestly been a long time since the NFL Conference championship games have had 4 teams we wouldn't be surprised make it this far in a long time. The Broncos and Seahawks were heavy favorites coming into the season, and the 49er's and Patriots were in the same position last year. The last time the lowest record of any team in these two games was 12-4 was in the 1998 season, the last year the Denver Broncos won the Super Bowl. Will history repeat itself? Let me break down the games.
New England Patriots(13-4) @ Denver Broncos(14-3)
We all remember that game in Foxboro this past November, but now for Peyton Manning and company there is a nice change of scenery. Unlike the past 3 Manning-Brady bowls, Peyton is hosting this one. The two first ballot hall of fame quarterbacks have met 3 times in the playoffs before, all with the home team winning and eventually going on to win the Super Bowl. I think history will follow the same pattern again with a Broncos victory, here is how it will go down.
Denver's defense will shut down the Patriots run game. New England had 200+ yards against the Colts last week, and 6 touchdowns, but no way that happens again. The Broncos have only allowed 1 100-yard rusher all season long, and that includes the likes of Lesean McCoy and Jamaal Charles. As bad as the Denver secondary has been all year the rush defense has been in the top 10 for the NFL. Don't expect the Patriots to get nearly as much going on the ground.
This is a revenge game for Denver. Last year the Broncos got caught in the Ravens revenge game but this year the Broncos are the one seeking revenge, and they already got it against San Diego. The Broncos won't be blowing any big leads if they get one this time around. The main thing about this game is the fact that it is in Denver. The weather isn't looking all that bad based on early forecasts and the crowd noise will be insane at Mile High Stadium. The home field is what will eventually propel the Broncos to victory over New England.
Broncos 30 Patriots 24
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