Another chapter of the historic match-up between Peyton Manning and Tom Brady could turn into another instant classic.
The Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots square off on Sunday Night Football this weekend in Foxboro with both teams in the AFC Playoff Hunt after eleven weeks. The Broncos sit at 9-1 after a great win against their division rivals the Kansas City Chiefs while the Patriots are coming off of a controversial loss to the Carolina Panthers. Any time that Manning and Brady go head-to-head you know that it will be a great game. This is the 14th time that these two future Hall of Fame quarterbacks will be going at it, with Brady have the edge as far as record goes. But no matter who has bested who, those numbers never matter.
I believe this game will come down to which team’s defense can make the plays necessary to give their offense a chance to gain a bigger lead. Both defenses are banged up with the Broncos and Patriots both missing key players. But which team’s defense has made adjustments despite losing these players?
I believe the Broncos have made the better adjustment and are the favorites. They have improved a lot since Von Miller has come back from his earlier suspension, and it shows in the coverage and in the pass rush. And despite the injuries, they have done a good job at adjusting well with the new starters. There is no doubt in my mind that this has a potential to turn into a shootout, but which team’s defense will make the bigger play to add a key chapter to these two quarterbacks’ historic careers as well as bragging rights for the year? Tune in Sunday Night and find out.
Tylor Walden is a Denver Broncos writer for www.Rantsports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TylorDWalden, “like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.