Shaughnessy: Boston Globe columnist picks Broncos over Patriots Read more: Shaughnes

[broncoslover115]

Great point Conner

When NFL officials have a bad game (which I honestly estimate between 25% and 33% of the games "I" see) it EASILY impacts what decides who Wins and who Loses. Us Bronco fans have every right to criticize NFL Postseason officials. They blundered away Denver's Superbowl run last season. That was a travesty. Sure it's a shame the Broncos couldn't overcome the horrible officiating ........ but it took 3-4 blundered calls to steal it from us. We had that game SO won that if we could turn back time all we'd need was ONE fixed call to win.

Completely agree with you. I just pray that the refs are fair and just. I'm still not over last year's game. It was the worst officiating I've ever seen.

I've even felt like PM should announce his retirement so he can get his storybook ending like they handed Ray Lewis last year. Then change his mind of course.

The Patriots this year have been on the side of some gifts (the Cleveland game) but also some hard calls as well.

I just don't want the refs to be the ones to be making calls that determine the outcome of the game. If that happens, I would just lose my mind.

[dizzolve]

I just hope that the referees do their job at a competent level for this game. I don't want NE waltzing into another Super Bowl because the referees were too busy searching through the blades of grass for their missing contacts whenever Denver players are being mugged, held, tripped, and all other things. I want it to truly be a NE vs. DEN game. I'm aware of my own bias, but that doesn't change the fact that the referees, if they're going to take a side, will typically side with NE. Sorry, Pats fans. That's just how I see it.

You know the old saying -- just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not after you.

Great point Conner

When NFL officials have a bad game (which I honestly estimate between 25% and 33% of the games "I" see) it EASILY impacts what decides who Wins and who Loses. Us Bronco fans have every right to criticize NFL Postseason officials. They blundered away Denver's Superbowl run last season. That was a travesty. Sure it's a shame the Broncos couldn't overcome the horrible officiating ........ but it took 3-4 blundered calls to steal it from us. We had that game SO won that if we could turn back time all we'd need was ONE fixed call to win.

[bronx_2003]

You couldn't be more wrong in my opinion.

Sure it's a different team than last year's. But Manning already said that that Balt Game has been bulletin board material for this ENTIRE season. And it still is.

Do you really think that it's not mentioned each and every practice this week?

If it's important and relevant to the Broncos as one of their common denominator 'swing thoughts' for the entire year, and we're playing one of the teams from those 2 you mentioned, it's really is a question that is on point

I think you like most fans (me too) are trying hard to forget those failures. And when the media brings it up over and over, it still stings. It stings so badly that it's important for the Broncos to NOT forget about that. John Elway has made this exact point.

I remember a quote by Elway between this season and last postseason. He said something like I need Dove Valley to be a little more uncomfortable. Something like that........ Elway will make sure the team doesn't forget ... not that he will be needed because of Fox and the rest of our world class player-leaders

I hear what you saying bro.

I think its important in terms of Denver realizing after the Baltimore game that they needed to be more balanced heading into the playoffs and to have a run game. Also to not take anything for granted and have the 'finish the job' mentality.

My point was our game last week could of gone either way before kick off, but would have nothing to do with the week 15 loss. As it turned out the game played out completely different in all ways.

Our game versus the Pats earlier in the season will have absolutely zero bearing on Sundays game. Different players available, stadium, weather conditions, and just an entirely different game. The winner this week will be who can make the most plays and be efficient in the RZ. Nothing to do with a game that happened about 2 months ago.... and certainly nothing to do with what happened over a year ago.

[dizzolve]

Here is the road games this year out of interest -

1 - PATRIOTS 23 BILLS 21

2 - PATRIOTS 30 FALCONS 23

3 - PATRIOTS 6 BENGALS 13

4 - PATRIOTS 27 JETS 30

5 - PATRIOTS 20 PANTHERS 24

6 - PATRIOTS 34 TEXANS 31

7 - PATRIOTS 20 DOLPHINS 24

8 - PATRIOTS 41 RAVENS 7

Played 2 good teams on the road, Bengals and Panthers, and lost them both. Played in a lot of close games against some very average teams. Just highlights how important playing at home rather then Foxboro is

Its gonna be an epic Sunday in the history of Denver Broncos Football. -Finally did all the dirty work to have this game in OUR house and we deserve to win this game. Weather's gonna be nice

I got the Broncos in this game.

[Conner13]

I just hope that the referees do their job at a competent level for this game. I don't want NE waltzing into another Super Bowl because the referees were too busy searching through the blades of grass for their missing contacts whenever Denver players are being mugged, held, tripped, and all other things. I want it to truly be a NE vs. DEN game. I'm aware of my own bias, but that doesn't change the fact that the referees, if they're going to take a side, will typically side with NE. Sorry, Pats fans. That's just how I see it.

You know the old saying -- just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not after you.

[dizzolve]

I never understand why the media keep banging on about the Ravens game, or the earlier NE game, or last week the week 15 game against SD.

It has absolutely zero relevance to the upcoming game/games. They all play out different every week, the game last week was completely different from the week 15 game.

We beat the Ravens at the end of the regular season quite easily then didn't play great in the playoffs.

The media just never quite seem to grasp the fact that previous games have no relevance to an upcoming one.

Brady and NE are a good team, but the Broncos are better and at home so they have no reason to fear any team. I just hope they play as well as they are capable of

You couldn't be more wrong in my opinion.

Sure it's a different team than last year's. But Manning already said that that Balt Game has been bulletin board material for this ENTIRE season. And it still is.

Do you really think that it's not mentioned each and every practice this week?

If it's important and relevant to the Broncos as one of their common denominator 'swing thoughts' for the entire year, and we're playing one of the teams from those 2 you mentioned, it's really is a question that is on point

I think you like most fans (me too) are trying hard to forget those failures. And when the media brings it up over and over, it still stings. It stings so badly that it's important for the Broncos to NOT forget about that. John Elway has made this exact point.

I remember a quote by Elway between this season and last postseason. He said something like I need Dove Valley to be a little more uncomfortable. Something like that........ Elway will make sure the team doesn't forget ... not that he will be needed because of Fox and the rest of our world class player-leaders

[bronx_2003]

The road talk argument is the most interesting.

NE has been in Foxboro for 7-8 straight years in the playoffs, never had to leave and go on the road, that is the biggest tell.

Here is the road games this year out of interest -

1 - PATRIOTS 23 BILLS 21

2 - PATRIOTS 30 FALCONS 23

3 - PATRIOTS 6 BENGALS 13

4 - PATRIOTS 27 JETS 30

5 - PATRIOTS 20 PANTHERS 24

6 - PATRIOTS 34 TEXANS 31

7 - PATRIOTS 20 DOLPHINS 24

8 - PATRIOTS 41 RAVENS 7

Played 2 good teams on the road, Bengals and Panthers, and lost them both. Played in a lot of close games against some very average teams. Just highlights how important playing at home rather then Foxboro is

[Steamboat7]

I just hope they play as well as they are capable of

That's what we want. San Diego got our "B" game this last time and it was enough. I want to see our "A" game against the Pats.

[Doogansquest]

It's not realistic to expect a demolition. The Patriots will make plays on both sides, but it's only to give them a chance (which is the best they can hope for).

[bronx_2003]

Yeah, when I saw the thread lead-in I knew it had to be either Shaughnessy or Borges! They both hate the Pats...HaHa.

Shaughnessy is a baseball writer, to boot, and he even admitted in the article how bad he is even in his chosen area of expertise. I wouldn't put much stock in his opinion on anything.

I don't put any value in anything the media say's... but TBH he just say's a lot of obvious things and then gives a prediction so there's not much insight to his article.

[bronx_2003]

Last year the the Broncos, in their own words were ...



When the Patriots have some momentum in this game which will happen, there should be no Broncos who are surprised.

When you have a Tom Brady at QB, he's gonna get something going for a while.

I never understand why the media keep banging on about the Ravens game, or the earlier NE game, or last week the week 15 game against SD.

It has absolutely zero relevance to the upcoming game/games. They all play out different every week, the game last week was completely different from the week 15 game.

We beat the Ravens at the end of the regular season quite easily then didn't play great in the playoffs.

The media just never quite seem to grasp the fact that previous games have no relevance to an upcoming one.

Brady and NE are a good team, but the Broncos are better and at home so they have no reason to fear any team. I just hope they play as well as they are capable of

[dizzolve]

This is where the Patriots have to go on the road for a playoff game for the first time in seven years and play Big Boy Football in another guy's stadium.

This is very important in my estimation. As much postseason experience as the Pats have, they seem to always get their games at home ..... no wonder they have a lot of success. That's no slight because they deserved that right by playing a great regular season.

The Patriots are finally out of their element. And their team will have to perform the kind of miracle we've seen them perform in the past -even t his season ........ but they have to do it on the road

... In Denver

... at Altitude

... as the dogs that they are

[ERoyal248]

The road talk argument is the most interesting.

NE has been in Foxboro for 7-8 straight years in the playoffs, never had to leave and go on the road, that is the biggest tell.

[Mr Bojangles]

http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci...ce=most_viewed

Interesting read. Pretty much agree with him, the Pats have an excellent QB and HC.... but there's no reason for the Broncos to be afraid. We are the better team, are 8-1 at home compared to the Pats 4-4 road record, and if we go out and play our A game they won't live with us.

Think it massively helps Denver that the weather is forecast to be good Sunday, NE seem to thrive when the weather is terrible against passing teams... i.e. the Denver and Indy games in Foxboro

Yeah, when I saw the thread lead-in I knew it had to be either Shaughnessy or Borges! They both hate the Pats...HaHa.

Shaughnessy is a baseball writer, to boot, and he even admitted in the article how bad he is even in his chosen area of expertise. I wouldn't put much stock in his opinion on anything.

[dizzolve]

Last year the the Broncos, in their own words were ...

Stunned

When the Patriots have some momentum in this game which will happen, there should be no Broncos who are surprised.

When you have a Tom Brady at QB, he's gonna get something going for a while.