Like Ross, I’m going to focus on a group of players. That’s Denver’s running backs. I think that being able to run the ball effectively is going to have a huge outcome in the game. I believe it when Head Coach Sean Payton says Stidham is going to be able to rip it. Even so, I don’t want this to be a matchup where Jarrett has to throw 40 times.
The Patriots’ defense does a tremendous job forcing turnovers and keeping opponents out of the endzone. They also give up some of the least yards per play in the NFL. The Broncos have to be able to sustain drives. That starts with maximizing what the ground game can give you on early downs.
There is a shot J.K. Dobbins plays. Can he revert to the player he was pre-injury? That would be a huge boon for the Broncos. If not, Jaleel McLaughlin and RJ Harvey are going to have to find a way to make some plays and alleviate some of the pressure from Stidham’s shoulders.