Last week both Carl and I have picked the Pats to win against the Colts and again Carl is picking the Pats to beat the former QB of the Colts, Peyton Manning and his Denver Broncos. The Broncos and Pats are both teams that were picked as winners during the course of the season, but I have to go with my gut here. Let’s see why.

 

New England Patriots:

There’s just something about this Pats team that feels like the Championship seasons. That said, both teams on this day seem to buck the trend of what a Championship team should be on defense as the Broncos have one of the worst passing D’s in the league whereas the Broncos have one of the worst Run D’s in the league. This should make Peyton Manning fans giddy with delight, but all this week I’ve been reading nothing but about Peyton’s neck and the fact that it probably shouldn’t be in football games. The Pats have one of the worst pass D’s in the game, but their rushing O is REALLY heating up behind LeGarrette Blount and that COULD be the X-factor. If the Pats Offense can setup the play-action, then it should keep Peyton off the field long enough for Tom Brady to manufacture points. However, if this turns into a field goal-kicking contest then take the home team.

Denver Broncos

Ironically enough, the last time a Manning played against Brady in a Championship game it was a Super Bowl and the Manning (ELi that is) that won handily over the Pats. That said, I think the Pats have a better run team this year and I’ve always believed that a stout run game can overtake anything on D. But, will the fact that this year’s Super Bowl is only about an hour away from Knowshon Moreno’s hometown of Middletown, NJ be enough to warrant this team the extra motivation it needs to stop Brady and Co? No, because Belicheck has just as much to gain from being in the Super Bowl at MetLife as anyone. Something tells me Bill has historically always found a way to silence Peyton in big games, and I think that holds true here.

 

Bubbleblabber (12-5)  takes the Pats to win 42-30

Carl (8-8) takes the Pats to win