Broncos vs. Patriots: Spread Info, Line and Predictions for 2012 AFC Divisional

The Denver Broncos and New England Patriots have done this dance before. Like most outings against the Patriots since Bill Belichick took over, it didn't go well for the Broncos.

Denver was dominated by New England despite racking up 393 yards of total offense.

The problem? They fumbled away the football three times.

That was weeks ago though, and now Tim Tebow leads his Broncos in Foxborough on the heels of a stunning overtime upset against the defending AFC Champion Pittsburgh Steelers.

New England has lost each of their last two playoff games in Gillette Stadium and are looking to win their first postseason game since the 2007 AFC Championship.

Where: Gillette Stadium; Foxborough, Massachusetts

When: Saturday, January 14 - 8:00 p.m. EST

Watch: CBS

Betting Line (according to Scores and Odds): Patriots (-13.5)

There is no way to count out Tim Tebow. Last week his stellar performance against the league's No. 1 defense was not only impressive, but eye-opening.

The last time these two played, the Pats won by 18 in Denver.

Things are mighty different in the postseason though, and covering a two-touchdown spread is damn difficult.

The Patriots are likely to win this game, but it's tough to say that this Broncos team is going to lay down. If you have to touch this line you'd look to take the points — especially considering that the Patriots haven't won at home in the postseason since 2007.

Over/Under: 50.5

This is a more interesting number to play with. The Broncos love to keep games ugly and close while the Patriots are a trigger-happy bunch. New England put up 41 last time, the second-most amount of points Denver has given up during the Tebow era.

Denver has also shown the ability to score points and hit home run balls so we should see this game go over.

Key Injuries (according to StatFox):

Brian Dawkins, S, Broncos - Questionable (Neck)

Eric Decker, WR, Broncos - Expected to Miss (Knee)

Shane Vereen, RB, Patriots - Probable (Hamstring)

Keys to Broncos Win

Keep the momentum. The Broncos were never expected to beat the Steelers and the fashion in which they did it was a huge boost for them.

Although they allowed the Steelers back into the game and needed to depend on Tebow Time, they actually dominated for a majority of the game.

Denver is going to want to keep Tom Brady off the field, but they also have to take shots like they did against the Steelers. If they can't exploit this defense they'll be in trouble.

Defensively they have to do the only thing they can to Brady: hit him.

If Brady has time in the pocket the Broncos will be run out of New England incredibly quick.

Keys to Patriots Win

Just be themselves. New England gets into these postseason games and for some reason look like a different football team.

That cannot happen this year.

They need to jump on Denver early and squash any and all heart they have in them. That is difficult to do considering Tebow is on the other sideline, but the Broncos aren't built to come from behind as a passing team.

If New England makes good use of their possessions early in this game, they should be able to notch their first win in the postseason since 2007.

Prediction: Patriots 35, Broncos 20