Mile High Report
The Denver Broncos are one win away from the Super Bowl.
Now Jarrett Stidham, Sean Payton, and the Broncos will look to put forth a game that keeps the season alive this Sunday. And once again, the New England Patriots are the opponent. For those keeping track, this is the third time the Broncos will host New England in the AFC title game. This is also the first time Denver will host the AFC championship.
It’s no surprise that Denver is the home underdog without starting quarterback Bo Nix. FanDuel Sportsbook has the Broncos as the +5.5-point underdogs. The total sits at over/under 42.5 points.
New England: Ninth in total offense (314.5 yards per game), sixth in rushing offense (125.5 YPG), 10th in passing offense (189.0 YPG), 10th in scoring offense (22.0 points per game).
Denver: Sixth in total offense (349.0 yards per game), 13th in rushing offense (70.0 YPG), third in passing offense (279.0 YPG), second in scoring offense (33.0 points per game).
New England: Second in total defense (224.0 yards per game), first in rushing defense (67.5 YPG), fourth in passing defense (156.5 YPG), second in scoring defense (9.5 points per game).
Denver: Fourteenth in total defense (449.0 yards per game), 14th in rushing defense (183.0 YPG), 10th in passing defense (266.0 YPG), 10th in scoring defense (30.0 points per game).
Here are the MHR staff’s keys to Sunday’s game.
For the Broncos to advance to Super Bowl 60, they need to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and win it. Check that, Denver needs to dominate the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Regardless of who the running back is, consistently open lanes in the run game. The Broncos offensive line also needs to give protection to Stidham. Give him time in the pocket. On defense, the front must do a better job in run defense. Denver’s defense cannot get gashed on the ground as it did against the Buffalo Bills. The Broncos have the best rush in the NFL, but stopping the run is the only way for the rushers to do their job. Win the line of scrimmage, win the game. — Ian St. Clair
For the Broncos to win this week, the defense needs to win on third down. They can’t expect 30 points from the offense, so getting the Patriots offense off the field is priority No. 1. I’m expecting Vance Joseph’s creative blitz plays to be the difference maker on third downs. — sadaraine
With Sitdham starting at quarterback, the Broncos have a tougher battle ahead of them. To defeat the Patriots and advance to Super Bowl 60, they can’t afford mistakes or miscues. No turning the ball over on offense, no big-time penalties that put them at a disadvantage, and receivers...
!["We want to go out there and make [Bo] proud.” Jarrett Stidham on AFC Championship Game 🗣️ #broncos](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xdnMw14MU28/mqdefault.jpg)
