This Week
The New England Patriots host the Denver Broncos at Gillette Stadium on Sunday at 4:25 p.m.
| The Broncos |
– | The Patriots | ||
| Overall | 2-2 | Overall | 2-2 | |
| Road record | 0-1 | Home record | 0-1 | |
| AFC East | 0-0 | AFC West | 0-0 | |
| AFC | 2-1 | AFC | 2-1 | |
Gene Steratore is the referee for the game.
The Line/Prediction
As of Thursday the line on the game from 5dimes.eu via Yahoo Sports has the Patriots at MINUS 7 1/2. The over under is 52.
My Prediction is Patriots 34, Broncos, 28. Take the points (BRONCOS) and take the OVER. I am 2-2 against the spread and 3 of 4 on calling the over/under in 2012.
Tickets
The Patriots are reporting the game as a sell out. It is the 197th consecutive sell out dating back to the 1994 season opener. The record includes preseason, regular season and playoff games.
Tickets to the game, if available, can be purchased through Ticketmaster. You can check the availability here.
After market tickets are available through the Official Patriots Ticket Exchange where season ticket holders can sell their unused seats to fans on the season ticket waiting list.
Getting to the Game
If you’re lucky enough to be going to the game in Foxboro make sure you check out the links.
Here is the up to date weather forecast from the Weather Channel for Foxboro MA.
Click for all the game day information including stadium directions, parking information and map and a Gillette Stadium seating chart.
Tailgating
Here’s a bunch of different tailgating recipes from Tailgating.com. There’s something there for everyone and every type of meal or snack. I’ve tried some of the recipes and they’re very good.
And with tailgating many people enjoy some adult beverages. With that in mind check out Drink Nation for how to make all sorts of great drinks. You can look things up by name, ingredient(s) or theme.
Whether it’s at the game, a bar or a friend’s house moderation is always the key to a great time. Please don’t drink and drive and designate a sober driver. Remember You Drink, You Drive, You Lose.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Television
CBS in televising the game regionally and Jim Nantz will do play by play while Phil Simms will provide the game analysis. You can look here for your local affiliate.
See if you’re getting the game courtesy of J.P. Kirby at the506.com.
The DirecTV designation is Channel 713.
Here are all the rules on NFL TV broadcasts including explaining the blackout rules; flex scheduling and commercial breaks.
Radio
The Patriots Radio Network broadcasts the game from flagship station WBZ-FM, 98.5 the Sports Hub in Boston. Gil Santos handles the play-by-play and former Patriots QB Scott Zolak will do game analysis. It all starts with Gary Tanguay and Andy Gresh with the pregame show at 1 p.m. along the network. The post game starts after the final gun and continues for three hours along the network.
The Patriots radio network call is available on Sirius Channel 86, XM Channel 226 and on SiriusXM Internet Channel 818.
The Broncos Radio Network has Dave Logan calling play by play and former Bronco Ed McCaffrey doing the color via their flagship station KOA.
Their call is available on Sirius Channel 85, and SiriusXM Internet Channel 809.
Dial Global Radio Sports will be broadcasting the game to their national affiliates. Kevin Kugler and Mark Malone will call the action.
Patriots All Access
Patriots All-Access features behind the scenes looks, interviews and breakdowns with head coach Bill Belichick and in depth features on the team. It’s hosted by Steve Burton of WBZ-TV (Boston) and airs weekly in most New England television markets.
- Boston MA on TV 38 Friday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m.
- Providence RI on WNAC Friday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m.
- Manchester NH on WMUR Saturday at midnight
- Portland ME on WMTW Sunday at 5 a.m.
- Hartford CT on WCTX Saturday at 5 p.m.
- Springfield MA on WFXQ Saturday at 7 p.m.
- Bangor ME on WVII Sunday at 11 a.m.
You can also watch it anytime on the teams website in the media section.
To continue reading the Denver Broncos @ New England Patriots week 5 preview, please click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.
Last Week
The Patriots came back to rout the Bills, 52-28 in Buffalo. The Broncos beat the Raiders at Mile High, 37-6.
History
- The Broncos lead the all-time series 27-18 including playoffs.
- The Patriots are 9-9 as the home team in the series.
- New England and Denver have met three in the playoffs with Denver winning at home in 1986 and 2005 and the Patriots winning in Gillette in 2011.
- The Patriots and the Broncos are the last two teams to win back-to-back Super Bowls.
- In 1960 the teams faced each other in the inaugural game of each franchise.
- There has never been a shutout in the series.
- The two teams last met in AFC Divisional Playoff Game and the Patriots won 45-10.
Patriots Team Notes
Here is the Patriots roster, depth chart and injury report for the game.
2012 Patriots Schedule/Results
The Patriots overall franchise record is 416-367-9. They have won three Super Bowls (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX) in seven appearances. Overall they are 23-16 in the post season.
They last appeared in the playoffs in 2011 when they beat Denver at home in the AFC Divisional Playoff, 45-10 and defeated Baltimore 23-20 in Foxboro in the AFC Championship Game. They lost Super Bowl XLVI to the New York Giants 21-17.
The Patriots were 13-3 (2-1 in playoffs) in 2011 and are the defending two-time AFC East Champions as well as the defending AFC Conference Champions. They have won the division 8 times and the conference 5 times since 2000.
The Patriots are 67-14 at home in the regular season since Gillette Stadium opened in 2002.
Since 1999 the Patriots have the best record in the NFL at 149-63.
Since 2003 New England is 32-6 in October games.
The Patriots are 2-2 vs. Denver at Gillette Stadium.
New England will have played Denver 12 times since 2000. This is the Patriots 5th home game against Denver in those 12 games.
The Patriots beat Denver twice last season once in the regular season at Denver then in the AFC Divisional Game at Gillette Stadium.
New England has won 3 of the last 4 meetings including 1 playoff game.
The Patriots have had two straight games with two receivers reaching 100 yards. It is the fourth time in team history that the team has had back-to-back games with two receivers at 100 yards. The Patriots have never had three straight games with two 100-yard receivers.
The Patriots will be looking for their first back-to-back games with a 100-yard rusher since Laurence Maroney in 2007.
Last week in Buffalo the Patriots chalked up 580 yards in total offense, the fourth most in team history. It is the 14th time in team history that the Patriots have recorded at least 500 total yards on offense. It is the ninth time under Bill Belichick that the Patriots have accomplished the feat.
MOST TOTAL NET YARDS/GAME
- 622 at Miami, Sept. 12, 2011
- 619 vs. Tennessee, Oct. 18, 2009
- 597 vs. N.Y. Jets, Sept. 9, 1979
- 580 at Buffalo, Sept. 30, 2012.
The Patriots are 1st in the NFL in points per game with 33.5. While they allow 23 points per game good for 18th in the NFL.
The New England defense has sacked the opponents quarterback 7 times this season, while their quarterbacks have been sacked 8 times.
New England is PLUS 8 in turnover differential. The offense has given up 1 INT and 2 fumbles, while the defense has 6 INTs and 5 fumble recoveries.
The Patriots are 22 for 53 (41.5%) in 3rd down efficiency and 0 for 0 on fourth down attempts. Opponents are 21 for 51 (41.2%) in 3rd down efficiency and 1 for 3 (33.3%) on 4th down attempts.
New England is 11 of 18 (61.1%) in the red zone while opponents are 4 for 8 (50%) in the red zone in 2012.
In goal to go situations New England is 8 for 10 (80%) and opponents are 4 for 7 (57.1%).
Since Robert Kraft bought the team in 1994 they:
- Have the most Super Bowl wins, 3.
- Have the most regular season wins, 195.
- Have the most wins including playoffs, 214.
- Have the most conference titles, 6.
- Have the most division titles, 11.
- Have the most playoff wins, 19
- Have played the most playoff games, 29.
- Are tied for the most playoff seasons, 13.
- Have the best playoff win percentage, .671.
- Have drafted the most Pro Bowl players, 20.
New England set the following team records in 2011:
- Total yards, 6,848.
- First downs, 399.
- Net passing yards, 5,084.
- 100+ yard receiving games, 18.
- Games with 30+ points, 12 (tied for most in NFL history).
Patriots Staff Notes
This is the link to head coach Bill Belichick’s Wednesday press conference on the Broncos.
Bill Belichick is 5-10 vs. the Denver in his career. He is 5-6 against them as the head coach in New England and that includes the playoffs (1-1).
Overall in his NFL career Belichick is 177-99 in his 18th NFL season. He is 141-55 with New England and 36-44 with Cleveland. He is 17-7 in the playoffs, 16-6 as head coach of the Patriots in the post season. When you combine his regular season and post season records he is 194-106.
Belichick’s 194 wins are good for 8th all-time.
Belichick is one of five head coaches in NFL history whose father (Steve Belichick) played in the league. The others are former Kansas City head coach Todd Haley (Dick Haley), former San Francisco head coach Mike Nolan (Dick Nolan), former Cincinnati head coach David Shula (Don Shula) and former NY Jets head coach Joe Walton (Frank Walton).
Belichick is one of just four coaches to win three Super Bowls, joining Chuck Noll (4), Joe Gibbs (3) and Bill Walsh (3). Those men are all in the Hall of Fame.
He is the only coach in NFL history to win three championship titles in four seasons.
He is the only coach in NFL history to have led his team to 10+ wins in 9 consecutive seasons.
Belichick was the assistant special teams/assistant to the defensive coordinator for the Broncos during the 1978 season.
Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is the former head coach of the Denver Broncos from 2009-2010. He was 11-17 in his time with the Broncos.
Special teams coach, Scott O’Brien, was the special teams’ coordinator for the Broncos in 2007 and 2008.
Patriots Possible Starters
Offense:
- LT: Solder
- LG: Thomas
- C: Wendell
- RG: Connolly
- RT: Vollmer
- TE: Gronkowski
- TE: Fells
- WR: Lloyd
- WR: Welker
- QB: Brady
- RB: Ridley
Defense:
- DE: Ninkovich
- DT: Wilfork
- DT: Love
- DE: Jones
- LB: Mayo
- LB: Spikes
- LB: Carpenter
- LCB: McCourty
- RCB: Arrington
- S: Chung
- S: Gregory
Patriots Players Notes
This is Tom Brady’s 13th NFL season he is 3-6 vs. the Broncos including 1-1 in the playoffs.
Denver is the only team in which Brady has a losing record against.
Brady and Peyton Manning have gone head to head 12 times with Brady holding a 6-3 regular season advantage and 2-1 playoff record. Brady has thrown 22 TD’s and 12 INTs in those previous meetings including postseason against Manning.
Overall Brady is 126-37 as a starting QB and is 16-6 in the playoffs for an overall record of 142-43. Brady is a 7 time Pro Bowl QB; two time NFL MVP and has won 3 Super Bowls while twice being named the games MVP. He is also listed as the 21st Greatest Player in the History of the NFL according to the NFL Network.
He was ranked in the preseason by ESPN’s Ron Jaworski as the 3rd best quarterback in the NFL.
Brady finished the 2011 season with 5,235 passing yards and joined Drew Brees (5,476 in 2011 and 5,069 in 2008), Dan Marino (5,084 in 1984) and Matthew Stafford (5,038 in 2011) as the only players in NFL history to reach 5,000 passing yards in a single season.
Brady (3,498) moved past Kerry Collins (3,487) into 10th place all-time on the NFL’s all-time completion list.
Brady (41,206) moved past Kerry Collins (40,922) into 11th place all-time on the NFL’s all-time passing list.
Brady has 307 TD passes in his career he is now 5th all-time. Hall of Famer Fran Tarkenton is 4th with 342.
Brady has 126 career wins he is 5th all-time. Manning is 4th with 143.
Brady has thrown at least 1 TD pass in 36 consecutive games.
The Patriots are 83-15 when Brady throws at least 2 TD passes in a game.
WR Wes Welker now has catches in 105 consecutive games including playoffs, 88 as a Patriot. The last time Welker did not have a catch in a game was 12/24/05 as a Dolphin.
Welker joined Jerry Rice and Marvin Harrison as the only players in NFL history with four 100+ catch seasons.
Welker has two of the Top 4 seasons for most catches in a season with 123 in 2009 and 122 in 2011.
He has led the team in receptions for 5 consecutive seasons.
TE Rob Gronkowski has back-to-back 10+ TD reception seasons. With another in 2012 he will be the first TE in NFL history to have done it three seasons in a row.
Gronkowski tallied his 30th NFL TD catch last Sunday. It is the most TD catches by one player in the NFL since 2010.
K Stephen Gostkowski missed two field goals last Sunday at Buffalo. It reminiscent of the 2003 game at Houston when Adam Viniateri had a miss and a block before hitting the game winner.
CB Devin McCourty had his 2nd career 2 INT game at Buffalo last week.
He leads the team along with rookie S Tavon Wilson in INTs with 2 each.
McCourty also has a team high 8 passes defensed in 2012. Wilson is 2nd with 3 passes defensed.
LB Jerod Mayo recorded his 3rd career INT last week.
Mayo leads the team in tackles through four weeks with 46 (33 solo).
Rookie DE Chandler Jones leads the team with 3 sacks; the other DE Rob Ninkovich is second with 2 sacks.
Jones and LB Brandon Spikes lead the team with 2 forced fumbles each.
Jones was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month for September. He had 17 tackles, 3 sacks and 2 forced fumbles.
DT Vince Wilfork has 2 recovered fumbles.
WR Matthew Slater has a team high 4 tackles on special teams, rookie S Nate Ebner is 2nd with 3 tackles.
Against Buffalo rookie LB Dont’a Hightower had his first NFL sack.
In 4 games RB Stevan Ridley already has 7 runs of 20 yards or more.
T Nate Solder attended the University of Colorado. He is from Buena Vista, CO.
TE Daniel Fells; LB Niko Koutouvides and WR Brandon Lloyd are former Broncos.
There are only three players on the team who played on at least one of the Super Bowl championship teams, Brady (3); Branch (2) and Vince Wilfork (1).
Roster moves this week:
- Released DT Terrell McClain
- Released OL Thomas Austin from practice squad
- Re-signed LB Bobby Carpenter
- Re-signed TE Alex Silvestro to the practice squad
On Wednesday the following players were on the injury list. WR Julian Edelman (hand); S Steve Gregory (hip); TE Rob Gronkowski (hip); TE Aaron Hernandez (ankle) and TE Michael Hoomanawanui (concussion) did not practice. RB Brandon Bolden (knee); QB Tom Brady (shoulder); DE Brandon Deaderick (ankle); DT Justin Francis (ankle); LB Dont’a Hightower (hamstring); G Logan Mankins (hip); C/G Nick McDonald (shoulder); CB Sterling Moore (knee); RB Shane Vereen (foot) and T Sebastian Vollmer (back) were limited in practice. DT Kyle Love (knee) had full participation.
On Thursday the following players were on the injury list. CB Ras-I Dowling (personal reasons); WR Julian Edelman (hand) and S Steve Gregory (hip) did not practice. TE Rob Gronkowski (hip); TE Aaron Hernandez (ankle); TE Michael Hoomanawanui (concussion); RB Brandon Bolden (knee); QB Tom Brady (shoulder); DE Brandon Deaderick (ankle); DT Justin Francis (ankle); LB Dont’a Hightower (hamstring); G Logan Mankins (hip); C/G Nick McDonald (shoulder); CB Sterling Moore (knee); RB Shane Vereen (foot) and T Sebastian Vollmer (back) were limited in practice. DT Kyle Love (knee) had full participation.
The Patriots captains for 2012 are QB Tom Brady, DT Vince Wilfork, G Logan Mankins, LB Jerod Mayo, CB Devin McCourty and WR Matthew Slater (special teams). They are the same 6 players that were selected last season as well.
The Patriots have 5 New England natives on the roster they are: TE Aaron Hernandez (Bristol CT); OL Donald Thomas (New Haven CT); DE Ron Brace (Worcester MA); LB Niko Koutouvides (Plainville CT) and OL Jamey Richard (Weston CT – IR). They have 14 players who played for a New England school or a Big East Conference member. They are CB Will Allen (Syracuse – IR); DE Ron Brace (Boston College); WR Deion Branch (Louisville); RB James Develin (Brown – Practice Squad); RB Tony Fiametta (Syracuse – Exempt List); DE Justin Francis (Rutgers); S Stephen Gregory (Syracuse); DE Chandler Jones (Syracuse); CB Devin McCourty (Rutgers); OL Donald Thomas (UConn); OL Matt Tennant (Boston College); TE Alex Silvestro (Rutgers); OL Jeremiah Warren (South Florida – Practice Squad) and NT Vince Wilfork (Miami).
The Patriots have 6 retired numbers: 20 – Gino Cappelletti, 40 – Mike Haynes, 73 – John Hannah, 78 – Bruce Armstrong, 79 – Jim Lee Hunt and 89 – Bob Dee.
Broncos Team Notes
Here is the Broncos roster, depth chart and injury report for the game.
Denver’s all-time record is 408-374-10 and they are 18-16 in the playoffs with their last playoff appearance coming in 2011. That season the Broncos beat Pittsburgh 29-23 in OT in the AFC Wild Card round and then lost to New England 45-10 in the AFC Division game.
Denver has won two Super Bowls (XXXII, XXXIII) in six appearances.
The Broncos have won 11 AFC West titles.
Denver is the only current AFC West team to never relocate or change its nickname.
In the decade long history of the AFL, Denver was the only team to never play in a championship game.
The Broncos switched back to orange jerseys in 2012 as their primary home uniform and dropped the navy pants. They will wear the navy jerseys as their alternate home uniform.
The Broncos are 2-2 in Gillette Stadium. Their last win in Foxboro came in 2006.
Denver’s longest series win streak was 11 games from 1979 to 1998.
The Broncos have the second toughest strength of schedule (based on their opponents 2011 records) in 2012 behind only the New York Giants.
Seven of Denver’s opponents made the playoffs last season.
This season the Broncos defense has allowed opponents to convert 41.4% (24 of 58) of the time on 3rd down, while the offense has a 3rd down conversion rate of 46.3% (25 of 54).
The Denver defense has sacked the opponents quarterback 10 times this season, while their quarterbacks have been sacked 8 times.
The Broncos are 7th in the NFL in points per game with 28.5. While they allowed 20.8 points per game good for 10th in the NFL.
Denver is MINUS 4 in turnover differential, tied for 25th best in the NFL. The offense has given up 3 INTs and 4 fumbles, while the defense has 2 INTs and 1 fumble recovery.
They have converted on 64.3% of their chances in the red zone this season, while opponents have converted on 53.9%.
Broncos Staff Notes
Read what Denver Broncos head coach John Fox had to say to the New England media about the match up.
John Fox is 83-81 in his 11th season as a head coach; he is 10-10 with Denver and 73-71 in 9 seasons with Carolina. In the playoffs he is 6-4 overall (5-3 with Carolina; 1-1 with Denver) for an overall record of 89-85.
Fox is 1-4 vs. New England including 1 Super Bowl (0-1). He is 0-2 with Denver and 1-2 with Carolina.
Fox is the 14th head coach in Denver history.
Former Broncos QB and Hall of Fame member John Elway is the team’s executive vice president of football operations assuming that position in January 2011.
Denver offensive line coach Dave Magazu attended Springfield College.
Broncos Director of Player Personnel Matt Russell was a scout for New England for four seasons (2001, ‘03-05), and earned three Super Bowl rings.
Denver Director of Pro Personnel Keith Kidd spent three years (2002-04) with the Patriots, and was a member of two championship teams.
Broncos Possible Starters
Offense:
- LT: Clady
- LG: Beadles
- C: Koppen
- RG: Kuper
- RT: Franklin
- TE: Dressen
- TE: Tamme
- WR: D. Thomas
- WR: Decker
- QB: Manning
- RB: McGahee
Defense:
- DE: Wolfe
- DT: Vickerson
- NT: Bannan
- DE: Dumervil
- LB: Miller
- LB: Brooking
- LB: Woodyard
- LCB: Bailey
- RCB: Porter
- S: Adams
- S: Moore
Broncos Players Notes
This is Peyton Manning’s 15th NFL season and first with Denver after 14 seasons in Indianapolis in which he made 11 Pro Bowls, was an 8-time All-Pro, 4-time NFL MVP, Super Bowl XLI MVP and a member of the NFL’s All-2000’s Team of the Decade.
He has a career record of 143-69 in 15 seasons. He was 141-67 with Indianapolis and is 2-2 with Denver. He is 9-10 in the post season for an overall record of 152-79.
Manning was the first overall pick by Indianapolis in the 1998 NFL Draft out of the University of Tennessee.
He was ranked in the preseason by ESPN’s Ron Jaworski as the 4th best quarterback in the NFL.
Prior to missing the 2011 season Manning was 7-12 against the Patriots, including playoffs (1-2). He is 2-8 vs. the Patriots on the road.
In previous head to head games against Brady, Manning is 4-8 including playoffs with 24 TD’s and 19 INTs.
Manning has 407 career TD passes and 201 career INT’s.
He is the only 4 time NFL MVP.
Until he missed all of 2011 he had started every game in his career.
WR Eric Decker (24 rec.) and WR Demaryius Thomas (21 rec.) have combined for 45 receptions through four games to tie for the second-highest total among wide receiver duos in the NFL.
DE Elvis Dumervil (9 QBH) and LB Von Miller (7 QBH) have combined for the second-most quarterback hits (16) in the NFL among pass rushing tandems through four games.
Dumervil has the 8th most sacks in Denver franchise history with 55. He has the single season team record with 17 sacks.
Since entering the NFL in 1999, Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey is tied for third in the NFL and ranks first among pure cornerbacks with 50 interceptions. He also leads the league with 194 pass breakups since 1999, averaging nearly one per game.
Bailey has been selected to the Pro-Bowl team 11 times.
LB Keith Brooking has played 180 consecutive games to tie for the second-longest streak among active NFL players.
K Matt Prater is the most accurate kicker in NFL history in the fourth quarter or overtime, having converted 31-of-32 attempts.
Former Patriots playing in Denver are C Dan Koppen, DT Ty Warren (IR) and CB Tony Carter.
Broncos FB Chris Gronkowski is the brother of Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski.
CB Tracy Porter and LB Wesley Woodyard lead the Broncos in INTs with 1 each.
Woodyard and S Rahim Moore lead the team in tackles with 25 apiece.
LB Von Miller leads Denver in sacks with 3. DE Elvis Dumervil is second with 2.5
On Wednesday the following players were listed on the injury report. LB Nate Irving (concussion) and G Chris Kuper (forearm) did not practice. CB Chris Harris (ankle); CB Tracy Porter (shoulder) and WR Matt Willis (hamstring) had full participation.
On Thursday the following players were listed on the injury report. LB Nate Irving (concussion);G Chris Kuper (forearm); CB Chris Harris (ankle); CB Tracy Porter (shoulder) and WR Matt Willis (hamstring) had full participation.
Denver team captains for 2012 are QB Peyton Manning, G Chris Kuper, CB Champ Bailey, DE Elvis Dumervil and LB Wesley Woodyard (special teams).
There are 4 players on the Broncos roster from a Big East University or New England based college. They are C Dan Koppen (Boston College); C/G C.J. Davis (Pittsburgh); DE Derek Wolfe (Cincinnati) and DE Elvis Dummervil (Louisville).
The Broncos retired numbers: 7 – John Elway; 18 – Frank Tripucka and 44 – Floyd Little.
Next Week
The Patriots travel to Seattle to play the Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. Kickoff is at 4 p.m. on CBS.
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