Broncos vs. Patriots: Breaking Down New England's Game Plan

Peyton Manning and Tom Brady—the faces of the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots, respectively—names that harken back to the halcyon era of decades-long battles for supremacy. Ali and Frazier. Arnie and Jack. Magic and Bird. Federer and Nadal. The greatest rivalries exceed hyperbole.

While the quarterbacks will be the focus of the media, there will be 90 other players on the field. Here is what the Patriots need to do in order to go into their bye week winners.

Patriots Defense vs. Broncos Offense

The Patriots defense knows they are in for a fight when Manning comes to town. Belichick touched on what it is like to play against a Manning-led team:

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Each game is its own game. The offense, they’ve done a good job of utilizing their personnel and what those particular players do well in different systems, different teams, kind of similar system. Peyton does a great job of getting the ball to the weakest point of the defense, whatever defense happens to be. He’s great. Obviously he’s a great quarterback – best quarterback I’ve coached against. He does a tremendous job. They have good players and they have a good system. I’d say that’s a common thread: good players and a good system and a good quarterback. 

"

As Belichick stated, Manning is going to attack whatever he feels is the weakest point of the defense. For New England, that is likely going to be the front three—or four—on defense. The Patriots basically invited Knowshon Moreno to run wild last year, and he happily obliged for ever 200 yards. New England ultimately won that game, however.

I wouldn't be shocked to see New England cede the running battle and dare Manning to check to runs time and time again. If he tries to force a pass into nickel or dime coverage, the opportunistic Patriots secondary will be ready to make him pay.

Patriots Offense vs. Broncos Defense

Brady has been on a torrid run as of late, throwing 14 touchdown passes against zero interceptions. He'll have his work cut out for him against the Broncos, who aren't going to lay down like the Chicago Bears. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels had high praise for Denver's secondary:

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They've got very active players in the secondary. We've played against [Chris] Harris [Jr.] before, we know Aqib [Talib] obviously is an extremely talented player that is very dangerous and has already made a ton of impact plays this season for them and turnovers, and [T.J.] Ward is one of the better strong safeties we're going to see. He does a great job of playing down near the line of scrimmage at times and also does a good job of playing in the back end of the field when they ask him to do that, too. And [Rahim] Moore covers a ton of ground and is a guy that you need to be alert for on every snap.

This is a very solid unit that we're getting ready to play, that does have great team speed, rushes the passer extremely well, tries to take away the running game with their front and usually does a great job of that, and then when they get their opportunities to try to create turnovers, they've been productive with those as well. We've got a big challenge ahead of us, and we're excited to start our preparation. 

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Talib has had success on tight ends in the past, and it will be interesting to see if he is tasked with checking Rob Gronkowski. If the Broncos have no answer for Gronkowski, the rest of their game plan isn't needed—see the Chicago Bears for an example.

Brandon LaFell—the latest receiver to gain Brady's trust—will need to be a physical presence on the field against Harris, one of the best corners in the league. Having multiple viable threats on the field has made Gronkowski and Julian Edelman that much more difficult to cover.

Charles Krupa/Associated Press

What They're Saying

Manning has matched up against a talented No. 24 in a Patriots uniform before, with Ty Law often getting the best of him. Manning related his thoughts to playing against Revis, another No. 24:

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Certainly, it's a great challenge playing against him. He's just a top-notch cover corner that has great ball skills and great quickness, hip transition – all the characteristics of a great cover corner. So, it's a challenge, certainly. With the receivers we have, we're trying to get everybody involved. To get everybody involved, that keeps the player involved and obviously you spread the ball around, and hopefully that can put pressure on the defense. But if you're throwing against him, you better be accurate and you better be running really good routes.

"

Law famously had three interceptions against Manning during a cold playoff game in New England. It may not be the playoffs, but the Patriot faithful certainly wouldn't mind a couple of turnovers.

Tale of the Tape

Quarterback

More words have been written on the merits of Brady vs. Manning than perhaps any other football topic this millennium. Conclusion? They are both very, very good. 

Verdict: Push

Running Backs 

Shane Vereen and Jonas Gray make a nice 1-2 punch to compete with Ronnie Hillman, C.J. Anderson and company. If Montee Ball or Stevan Ridley were healthy, that might swing this position off of a push.

Verdict: Push

Joe Mahoney/Associated Press

Wide Receivers

Manning truly has an embarrassment of riches. Demaryius Thomas is the true "X" receiver that the Patriots want Aaron Dobson and Brian Tyms to develop into. Julian Edelman and Brandon LaFell are both playing very well, but Thomas—in addition to Emmanuel Sanders—shifts this into Denver's favor.

Verdict: Broncos

Tight Ends

If there is any team in the league that can match New England's group of tight ends, it is Denver. Julius Thomas and Rob Gronkowski are the best at their position, while Virgil Green and Tim Wright are great complements.

Verdict: Push

Offensive Line

Neither line has been up to their usual standards this year. Ryan Clady and Nate Solder have each given more pressures than normal, while run blocking has come in fits and starts. Each will be tested early and often in New England. 

Verdict: Push

Defensive Line 

The Broncos defensive line has thrived with all the attention given to Von Miller. It is stout against the run, while still getting pressure with DeMarcus Ware and Malik Jackson. New England's line has struggled to deal with injuries to Chandler Jones and Sealver Siliga. Given enough time by their defensive backs, though, they can and will get home.

Verdict: Broncos

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

Linebackers

As well as Dont'a Hightower has played, Von Miller has been a terror. According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), he has already accounted for 40 quarterback pressures. Brandon Marshall has been great in relief of Danny Trevathan.

Verdict: Broncos

Defensive Backs

This is where the Patriots will need to make their money. If Darrelle Revis and company can't get their hands on the football a couple times, New England will have a tough time keeping up on the scoreboard. Aqib Talib gets a lot of the media attention, but Chris Harris Jr. is the best corner on the Broncos team.

Verdict: Patriots

Special Teams

Stephen Gostkowski has kicked better than Brandon McManus this year, but Britton Colquitt is one of the best punters in the league. Matthew Slater, Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola will give the Patriots a small edge in this category.

Verdict: Patriots

Elise Amendola/Associated Press

Overall: Push 2-3-4

On paper, the Patriots have a slight disadvantage against the Broncos. It will take the Gillette Stadium crowd to give them the noise and energy to put them over the top. Expect a much closer game than the blowout against the Bears.

Wednesday's Injury Report Analysis (via Patriots.com)

Did Not Practice: Chandler Jones

Limited: Dominique Easley, Nate Ebner, Cameron Fleming, Matthew Slater

Full: Tom Brady, Brandon Browner, Dont'a Hightower

Chandler Jones' absence still looms large, but the Patriots are starting to regain some health. Bryan Stork, Dan Connolly, Jamie Collins and Devin McCourty are all off the injury report. All Patriots that practiced Wednesday have a good shot at playing on Sunday.

On the Broncos side of the ball, the lack of health at running back is a concern. Montee Ball didn't practice, while Ronnie Hillman was limited.

Stats and figures courtesy of NFL.com.