5 Bold Predictions for Denver Broncos' Week 9 Matchup
Week 9 of the NFL schedule brings what should be one of the marquee matchups of the 2014 season: the Denver Broncos (6-1) vs. the New England Patriots (6-2). This will also be a rematch of last year's AFC Championship Game.
The rivalry between Peyton Manning and Tom Brady will dominate the talk heading into this one, but it will also be a battle between two of the hottest teams in the NFL.
The winner could also have the inside track to getting home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
The Broncos have lost the last two seasons in Foxborough with Manning at quarterback, and they haven't beaten the Patriots on the road in over eight years.
So how will the Broncos find success on Sunday? Here are five bold predictions detailing how they will dominate this matchup.
Ronnie Hillman Runs for 100 Yards Once Again
1 of 5
In parts of four games since Montee Ball went down with a groin injury, Ronnie Hillman has ran for 347 yards. That's more yards than he had his entire rookie season in 2012 and more yards than he had all of last season.
Hillman has fully taken advantage of his new opportunity. He is averaging 4.7 yards per carry on the season and has scored two touchdowns.
Most importantly, fans have finally been given a glimpse of his speed and elusiveness in the open field.
New England has given up nearly 130 yards per game on the ground this season, but it has held four of its opponents to fewer than 79 yards rushing. All four of those games were New England victories.
Much of that has come because the Patriots have jumped out to a big lead, forcing their opponent to throw the ball to get back into it. Against Denver, it will be the opposite.
Hillman and the Denver offensive line will take advantage of the fact that linebacker Jerod Mayo is out of the lineup and will run the ball right at New England, showing off their vastly improved rushing attack.
Hillman will go over 100 yards for the third time in four games.
Wes Welker Will Have His Best Game This Season
2 of 5
Each week, it seems like Wes Welker is becoming a smaller part of the Denver offense. However, it's not easy to put up big numbers with guys like Demaryius Thomas, Julius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders having the kind of seasons they are.
But against New England, Welker won't be quiet.
In two games against his former team last season, Welker caught eight passes for just 67 yards. But this matchup with the Patriots sets up nicely for him.
"Anybody notice, Wes Welker has become a bit of a forgotten man in this offense. However, still making big plays here and there. #broncos
— Les Shapiro (@LesShapiro) October 24, 2014"
With cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner on the outside, Peyton Manning may very well opt to utilize the short passing game much more than he has this season.
The Broncos will have to respect a talented New England secondary and pick their spots to take shots down the field.
Welker should be in line for several targets. Against Seattle and Arizona, Welker was targeted nine times in each game. Since then, he's seen just six targets in the last three games combined.
Look for that number to be much higher on Sunday. Welker hasn't had more than seven receptions or 60 yards receiving in a game this season. He'll eclipse both of those numbers this week.
Tom Brady Will Be Forced to Put the Ball in the Air 50 Times
3 of 5
Following New England's Week 4 loss to Kansas City, Tom Brady has been as good as any player in the league.
With him playing at a high level, New England has jumped out to big leads on opponents and watched them become one-dimensional as they try to get back into the game.
On Sunday, look for the tables to be reversed.
The Patriots will be forced to throw the ball for a couple of reasons. One, they won't be able to run the ball against a Denver defense ranked No. 1 in the league against the run, giving up just 72.4 yards per game.
With Stevan Ridley out for the rest of the season, the Patriots will have to rely on players like Shane Vereen and Jonas Gray to move the ball on the ground against the Broncos. That won't be a recipe for success.
The Patriots will also fall behind early in this game as well, facing a team that will have had 10 days of rest after playing the previous Thursday night.
A well-rested offense led by Peyton Manning could spell disaster, even if the game is in New England.
As a result, Brady will attempt a minimum of 50 passes in this game.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Denver Defense Collects Six Sacks
4 of 5
Though the Denver offense will get most of the headlines, it has been its defense that has really turned heads.
The Broncos are very talented at every position along the defense and should wreak havoc against New England in this game.
In losses to Miami and Kansas City, the Patriots were rattled by the pass rush and allowed seven sacks. The offensive line is not good enough to stand up to an elite pass rush.
And an elite pass rush it will see on Sunday.
The Broncos have recorded 23 sacks on the season. Only five teams have more. Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware have stood out, combining to ring up 15 sacks on the season between them.
"Nate Solder: DeMarcus Ware, Von Miller 'Gonna Be A Huge Challenge For Us' http://t.co/i5imN9OxgT
— DeMarcus Ware (@DeMarcusWareHub) October 28, 2014"
New England will watch Tom Brady get sacked six times on Sunday. Miller and Ware will have two apiece.
Denver Wins by Multiple Scores
5 of 5
So what does that all add up to? A big win for the Broncos.
There is no question that if the Broncos are to get back to the Super Bowl, the New England Patriots are likely the team standing in their way. This matchup in Week 9 represents one of Denver's biggest remaining challenges this season.
In Peyton Manning's two trips to Foxborough as a member of the Denver Broncos, he has thrown for 487 yards with five touchdowns and one interception. But he also has an 0-2 record.
In the team's Week 12 meeting last season, the 150 yards Manning threw for were by far the lowest in any game he's played as the Broncos quarterback.
Sunday, Manning will overcome all of his demons inside Gillette Stadium. He will get the offense rolling with a strong start on Sunday that the rest of the team will feed off of, allowing the Broncos to open up a big lead.
The Patriots are a very good team and will scratch and claw their way back into it, making it respectable before it's over, but the Broncos will still walk away with a double-digit victory.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
