The time has come. On a Broncos 2015 schedule packed with contenders, rivals and great individual matchups, the big one is here. There is no doubt that Broncos fans had this one circled way back in the spring. The two teams have not disappointed leading up to the game, as the Broncos [8-2] and the New England Patriots [10-0] are entering their primetime game playing at elite levels.
The Broncos have been in the headlines due to their quarterback situation while the Patriots are simply going about their business in nauseatingly efficient fashion. The defending Super Bowl Champions grabbed their headlines this offseason with a football deflation scandal that blew up [no pun intended] into a full-fledged investigation and eventual litigation. Since then, they have not skipped a beat and come into town the favorites in the Broncos’ house. Three players will have to excel and take advantage of the few weaknesses the Patriots possess in order for the Broncos to come away with a huge win both in the standings and in the minds of the payers as they head on a collision course for a possible rematch in the postseason.
Brock Osweiler has paid his dues during his first four seasons and gone about his business like a professional while sitting behind Peyton Manning. A well-documented foot injury has placed Manning on the sidelines, for what looks to be several more games this year. Osweiler backed up his talk about studying and preparing like a starter his whole NFL career last week when he managed the game, relied on his teammates and kept the football safe in a tight 17-15 win over the Chicago Bears. Head coach Gary Kubiak expects nothing less despite facing Bill Belichick and his well-trained defense.
“It’s just having to react and trying to get him to stay within himself, stay within his progressions and continue to protect the ball like he did last week. My focus with him is always the fact of the football team is going to play well around you. You just stay committed to your job, your part and what you have to do. Don’t try to do too much, just do your job.”
The Patriots will likely have two key players out Sunday, which should benefit Osweiler greatly. First, rookie cornerback Justin Coleman has been ruled out for Sunday’s game leaving only three of their original cornerbacks on the current depth chart. Malcolm Butler, last season’s Super Bowl hero, will be matched up on Demaryius Thomas, leaving Logan Ryan, Rasheen Melvin and an unspecified third corner to get the job done on the rest of the Broncos receiving corps. The Patriots are very stout against the run, ranking second in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game but rank 21st against the pass. Osweiler will need to find Sanders, who missed last week’s game with an ankle injury, often but also not take unnecessary risks. Sanders commented on his experience with Osweiler Friday.
“The chemistry is good. Peyton [Manning] hasn’t been going on Wednesdays, so I’ve had an opportunity to go with Brock and it’s definitely paid off. Today we connected on a couple of deep balls that we were working on. I texted him last night about what I’m seeing and what he’s seeing, so it’s going to pay off.”
Despite the Patriots porous secondary, their defensive line is highly effective. They have 32 sacks on the season and their defense as a whole has 14 takeaways, nine interceptions and 16 forced fumbles. However, they may be without Jamie Collins for the fourth-straight game due to an undisclosed illness. He is a versatile linebacker that can rush the passer and drop back in coverage. His absence would be a big blow to the Patriots and benefit Osweiler greatly.
Sanders has been a huge part of the Broncos 8-2 season thus far. Thomas has had some impressive games and leads the team in receptions (76) and yards (875) but it has been Sanders that has made the big plays down the field. He has two 75-yard touchdown grabs and is the safety valve in the passing game when defenses often double-team Thomas. His absence last week surely forced Osweiler to look to short crossing routes and check-downs more often than Kubiak and the Broncos would have liked. His ankle injury from the loss against the Kansas City Chiefs needed an extra week to heal but the receiver believes he is ready to go.
“I’m good. My ankle feels good. I practiced all week. I started off on Wednesday and finally got a full week under my belt. It felt good to do that. I think that I’m mentally and physically prepared for the game.”
Sanders will have a favorable matchup against Ryan, a third-year cornerback out of Rutgers University. Sanders may also have Butler cover him to start the game but with the attention Thomas will garner, it should be a big opportunity for Sanders. The emergence of the Broncos tight ends in recent weeks will also help him get loose for some big plays. The remaining two cornerbacks that may cover Sanders, Melvin and defensive back Tavon Wilson will not be able to stick with the veteran consistently. If the Broncos offensive line can give Osweiler the right amount of time, it could result in more game-changing plays from Sanders.
If last year’s game is any indication of what Sanders day will be like, he may be the MVP when it concludes. Last November in New England, Sanders caught 10 passes for 151 yards. The extra week of rest should be enough to get Sanders back in the swing of things. Monday he stated quietly why he sat out last week. “Its like a race car. You can’t get to top speed on a flat tire.” Knowing he feels ready to hit top speed should strike fear in Patriots fans and have Broncos fans keeping their eyes on No. 10 all day.
It appears that the game Von Miller has been patiently waiting for is here. Not only is the game in primetime and against an undefeated opponent, but the Patriots are a revolving door at offensive line. His sack statistics only read six but he also has 37 quarterback hurries and 19 quarterback hits according to Pro Football Focus. His impact is monumental each week as he finds ways to disrupt any opponent’s passing attack and has been close to the breakout game he knows will come.
“My time will come. I’ve just got to keep on rushing the quarterback. We’ve got a real good secondary. [Aqib] Talib is playing out of his mind right now, T.J. [Ward] and [Chris Harris – all those guys are playing insane right now. I’m just trying to make them get the ball out quick. As long as [Brady] is doing that, we’ll be good. The sacks will come. The sacks will come. I’m going to come in here on one of the Mondays. I’m going to look at you, and I’m going to be like, ‘Yep, I told you this was going to be the week right here,’” Miller said Thursday.
The Patriots have been banged up along the line all season, giving up 22 sacks and their Monday night game against the Buffalo Bills took a toll as well. Four offensive lineman were on the injury report this week and all are expected to play. Several offensive lineman have shuffled in two or three places along the line and at right tackle Sebastian Vollmer is recovering from a Week 10 concussion and will have to deal with Miller a majority of the time. The Bills got continuous pressure on Brady all night and held their offense in check for most of the evening. The matchup looks very favorable for Miller but Thursday he explained that Tom Brady’s skill set almost makes it a moot point.
“I think with Tom, some of the times he doesn’t need to play with the offensive line. He just needs the receivers and [Rob Gronkowski]. He could go down the field and play. He doesn’t even need those five offensive linemen. They do a good job of working with him. He’s just so great, he’s just so good he really doesn’t lean on the offensive line. You can tell in games he’s getting the ball, he’s throwing it super fast, he makes his decisions super quick. Hopefully for us, we’ve got a really good secondary. Hopefully we can slow him down a little bit with that.”
Miller has said all the right things and seems to be maturing and patient when it comes to his sack numbers. Sunday is setting up for the game he has waited for all season. Hopefully, Monday he can look at the media and say, “Yep, I told you this was going to be the week right here.”
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