BOSTON — The wonder creates delicious anticipation. How will the Broncos stop Tom Brady? Will they be able to chip tight end Rob Gronkow- ski at the line of scrimmage, knocking him off his route, and preventing him from racing down the field like a runaway locomotive?
Overshadowed by the conversation of slowing the Patriots is this little nugget: How will New England scheme against Peyton Manning and his battery of receivers? The game film from last season offers hints, but also contradictions.
In the Broncos’ 26-16 victory over the Patriots in the AFC championship game, New England played more man-to-man coverage. Coach Bill Belichick holds no reservations about putting cornerbacks on islands if he believes they can win one-on-one matchups. But the Broncos gashed that plan in the playoffs, especially after cornerback Aqib Talib exited the game with an injury. Manning threw for 400 yards that day, the most a Belichick-coached team has ever allowed. The chunks came in bursts as seam routes worked — including to tight end Julius Thomas, who did not play during the Broncos’ regular-season collapse at New England a few months earlier.
As one of the NFL’s top cornerbacks, Darrelle Revis projects to match up with Denver wideout Demaryius Thomas. The curiosity begins with Brandon Browner, a big, physical corner who plays with an edge and can draw contact penalties. His skill set doesn’t mirror that of Emmanuel Sanders, who brings blur speed. Because Julius Thomas is healthy and enjoying a potential record-breaking season, it’s more likely the Patriots will play “Cover 2” with man-to-man principles blended into the plan.
The Patriots don’t mind giving up short passes because they excel at big hits and creating turnovers.
“They do a great job of it,” said Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase. “They get into tight coverage and force interceptions. We have to hold on to the ball. It cost us last year big time.”
Weather report. Saturday night’s weather near Foxborough was cold and windy. That’s expected to continue through Sunday, with a game-time temperature in the 30s. Manning is 8-11 in games played with the temperature at 40 or lower, including a 1-2 record last season. He beat the Titans and lost to the Chargers and Patriots. Last November at New England, he delivered a solid performance in arctic cold, completing 19-of-36 passes for 150 yards. The Broncos relied on the run, with tailback Knowshon Moreno gaining 224 yards on 37 carries.
Denver has improved its ground game the past three games, fueled by the emergence of tailback Ronnie Hillman.
