Broncos vs. Patriots: Preview and Predictions for AFC Divisional Round

The Denver Broncos are the story of the year in the NFL, and the roller coaster ride has been one for the ages.

From 1-4 and whispers of Andrew Luck to putting up 29 points against a top-ranked Pittsburgh defense in the playoffs that hadn’t allowed that many points since Week 1. Incredible.

That’s all ancient history now.

It’s the divisional round, and the Broncos are off to New England to face the No. 1 seed in the AFC.

In a rematch of the Patriots' 41-23 win in Week 15 at Sports Authority Field in Denver, here is everything you need to know about next week’s game with a birth to the AFC championship on the line.

When: Saturday, 8 p.m. EST

Where: Gillete Stadium

Watch: CBS

Listen: 850 KOA in Denver and 98.5 WBZ in New England

Spread: New England -13 via Covers.com

What’s at Stake

The Pats haven’t won a playoff game since 2007 and the pressure on Tom Brady is mounting. Losing to a team that finished the regular season 8-8 is unacceptable.

Brady has to get in a rhythm early and force the Broncos offense to match them. With Brady and receivers Wes Welker, Rob Gronkowski and Deion Branch firing on all cylinders early, this game could be a blowout early on.

The Broncos are playing with house money at this point. Nobody expected them to be here, and there really isn’t any pressure on Tim Tebow. Brady Quinn won’t be warming up on the sidelines this week.

His job in 2012 is safe, and he will be the Denver QB for at least the next season.

Broncos Injury Report

Eric Decker, WR- OUT (ACL)

Brian Dawkins, S- Questionable (Neck)

Spencer Larsen, FB- Questionable (Knee)

Patriots Injury Report

Shane Vereen, RB- Probable (Hamstring)

Logan Mankins, G- Questionable (Knee)

Matt Light, T- Questionable (Ankle)

Sebastian Vollmer, T- Questionable (Ankle)

Broncos Player to Watch: Eddie Royal, WR

The loss of Eric Decker is going to be a huge blow to the Broncos pass offense and Royal has to step up. Royal only caught 19 passes for 155 yards and a touchdown during the regular season, but filled in brilliantly for Decker once he went down Sunday (three receptions, 49 yards and a TD).

Royal must take advantage of the second worse secondary in the league by stretching the field with his speed and ability to stop on a dime. Tebow will be throwing more than one deep ball in Royal’s direction. Will he haul them in?

Patriots Player to Watch: BenJarvus Green-Ellis, RB

The Pats have to establish the run to keep the vaunted Broncos pass rush off Brady and that job belongs to Green-Ellis.

While he may have only gained 667 yards during the season, he stepped up for the Pats whenever they needed him this season. Yet he can’t rush the ball 10 times for 17 yards like he did against the Broncos the first time around.

Eating up the clock with a double-digit lead would be a terrific recipe for New England on Saturday.

Key Matchup: Tom Brady vs. Broncos secondary

If Dawkins is able to play, everything changes. His presence on the field would force Brady to have second thoughts about throwing the deep ball. Champ Bailey is still a Pro Bowl talent, but without Dawkins the pass defense is suspect.

Losing corner Cassisus Vaughn to IR leaves the Broncos with little depth in the secondary. Safety Quinton Carter and corner Andre’ Goodman have to step up to limit the explosive pass-attack of the Pats.

Limiting big plays are essential.

Prediction: Patriots 34 Broncos 26

Tebow has done the unthinkable before and it sounds like a script straight out of a movie, but all good things must come to an end.

Tebow played well in the first meeting and Denver still lost by 18. The Broncos defense is too banged up in the secondary to contain Brady and Co. and the offense without Decker won’t be able to keep up.

With the home field advantage and two-week layoff for the Pats, expect them to build a lead early before allowing the Broncos to make a game of it late.