I have to admit I am surprised

[PatsRule]

I am surprised that alot of the so called experts are picking the pats, and dont start whining about disrespect or not being on the east coast.They are picking the Pats for a reason I don't know what it is, could be the Brady or the Belichek factor or so called intangeables I just dont know.Even vegas has come down to 3 points which is basically home field advantage.The way iI see it I think Denver is a better team and playing in Denver is a huge home advantage,Denver and Kansas city are probably the two toughest places to play for a road team.I am encouraged that some of the prognosticators are picking my team but im not making plans for the AFC championship game just yet..I am a realist and not homer so I call it like I see it.

[orangenblue]

They are just playing it safe and protecting their reputations.

[BroncoInferno]

I think one factor is Plummer. People just think he'll revert back to the 'old Jake' (so-called) and start slinging picks like hash. They think NE will shut down the run, and Jake will fold. Won't happen. Not at home. You know he has only thrown two picks at Invesco all season.

[bendog]

Isn't the spread based upon just evneing out betting dollars. More people want to bet NE, so the odds/spread are brought down to spread the money out. It has nothing to do with expert predictions, except the experts want to tell people what they want to hear. NE is the media darlings because ... Tom's Terrific and Tedy's bulletproof.

They all got down and worshipped Elway his last year too.

[dbfan4life]

Honestly, I get really pumped up the more I hear so called experts picking us to lose. I think this bodes well for the team, too. I know the say they don't listen but I guarantee you the will come out with a chip on their shoulder to prove everyone wrong. It's been that way all seaon. Why whould things change now?

[24champ]

Its ok Tedy Bruschi made all the writers pick the Pats.

[RhymesayersDU]

There's a few reasons to pick the Pats, I think. They're a good football team, and they've been here before. Personally, I put a lot of weight on the intangibles, I think when it comes right down to it, heart, playing together as a team, etc can really turn games.

Some like to do purely stats, which is OK too. I do think the Broncos are the better football team, but, we don't have the history. We need to win a playoff game without John Elway. Plummer needs to prove he's really turned a corner. Our defense needs to step up and not get blown out by 30 points.

Like I said, I think the Broncos are the better team, but I have no problem with people giving the Champion Patriots the benefit of the doubt in this game. They've earned it.

[PatsRule]

There's a few reasons to pick the Pats, I think. They're a good football team, and they've been here before. Personally, I put a lot of weight on the intangibles, I think when it comes right down to it, heart, playing together as a team, etc can really turn games.

Some like to do purely stats, which is OK too. I do think the Broncos are the better football team, but, we don't have the history. We need to win a playoff game without John Elway. Plummer needs to prove he's really turned a corner. Our defense needs to step up and not get blown out by 30 points.

Like I said, I think the Broncos are the better team, but I have no problem with people giving the Champion Patriots the benefit of the doubt in this game. They've earned it.


Good post and I agree alot of times we get so hung up on stats we dont see the big picture..

[Jesterhole]

I would be worried if we had lost or played poorly in San Diego. But that fact that we went out there and completely dominated them showed me that this team has both the focus, drive and talent to beat any team.

And don't forget. Mike Shanahan has been sitting around for two weeks, hearing all the old 'he hasn't done this or that' crap being brought up again. Do you think he really spent any time preparing for the Jags? Hell no. He probably split his time between the Pats and Cincy.

Give Mike a week and a half against any opponent in Denver, and I'll take the Broncos thank you.

[Broncoman13]

I think one factor is Plummer. People just think he'll revert back to the 'old Jake' (so-called) and start slinging picks like hash. They think NE will shut down the run, and Jake will fold. Won't happen. Not at home. You know he has only thrown two picks at Invesco all season.


GRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! Take it back! You ever watch basketball game where a guy is like 12 for 12 from the line and then they mention his streak in this game. He's 12 for 12 today and has hit his last 57 in a row. CURSED! Next one clangs off the back of the rim... that's exactly what you just did to Jake!

[bendog]

GRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! Take it back! You ever watch basketball game where a guy is like 12 for 12 from the line and then they mention his streak in this game. He's 12 for 12 today and has hit his last 57 in a row. CURSED! Next one clangs off the back of the rim... that's exactly what you just did to Jake!
It's Kollete. Just pray she gets Jake really relaxed and loose.

[RhymesayersDU]

GRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! Take it back! You ever watch basketball game where a guy is like 12 for 12 from the line and then they mention his streak in this game. He's 12 for 12 today and has hit his last 57 in a row. CURSED! Next one clangs off the back of the rim... that's exactly what you just did to Jake!
The Nuggets announcers do this all the time, and the guy ends up missing it usually. I hate that.

[enjolras]

I think one factor is Plummer. People just think he'll revert back to the 'old Jake' (so-called) and start slinging picks like hash. They think NE will shut down the run, and Jake will fold. Won't happen. Not at home. You know he has only thrown two picks at Invesco all season.

And one of those was ALL on Rod Smith...

[PatsRule]

Im so sick of my team this and your team that no one knows what is going to happen til the game is over.I just hope we can pull it off but if we cant I still love my team they are true champions 3 rings in 4 years I cant complain.A true fan will just tip his cap to the Broncos they are a good team with a great winning history and just hope they beat the Colts...

[Mile High Shack]

Im so sick of my team this and your team that no one knows what is going to happen til the game is over.I just hope we can pull it off but if we cant I still love my team they are true champions 3 rings in 4 years I cant complain.A true fan will just tip his cap to the Broncos they are a good team with a great winning history and just hope they beat the Colts...

I won't root for either of your teams if you both of you happen to win this weekend

I'll start rooting for Seattle

[fontaine]

Im so sick of my team this and your team that no one knows what is going to happen til the game is over.I just hope we can pull it off but if we cant I still love my team they are true champions 3 rings in 4 years I cant complain.A true fan will just tip his cap to the Broncos they are a good team with a great winning history and just hope they beat the Colts...

Same here. If the Pats roll over Denver at Mile High then they'll have deserved it. And I agree, screw the Colts!
;D

[Bronx33]

I am surprised that alot of the so called experts are picking the pats, and dont start whining about disrespect or not being on the east coast.They are picking the Pats for a reason I don't know what it is, could be the Brady or the Belichek factor or so called intangeables I just dont know.Even vegas has come down to 3 points which is basically home field advantage.The way iI see it I think Denver is a better team and playing in Denver is a huge home advantage,Denver and Kansas city are probably the two toughest places to play for a road team.I am encouraged that some of the prognosticators are picking my team but im not making plans for the AFC championship game just yet..I am a realist and not homer so I call it like I see it.


The Xspurts have been wrong all season and thats the way i like it.

[GSRelyea]

Im so sick of my team this and your team that no one knows what is going to happen til the game is over.I just hope we can pull it off but if we cant I still love my team they are true champions 3 rings in 4 years I cant complain.A true fan will just tip his cap to the Broncos they are a good team with a great winning history and just hope they beat the Colts...

I think everyone will agree, no matter who wins on Saturday night, we all want to see Indy go down!!! F**K Pay-A-Ton. I think it is going to be a great game Saturday night, probably the best of the weekend.

[max7]

Same here. If the Pats roll over Denver at Mile High then they'll have deserved it. And I agree, screw the Colts!
;D
right on.
switch the pats and denver and i agree.

the pats pulled this season out of the trash to get in a position to defend their championship.
that does not satisfy me, but it has shown me something and the deserve credit.

[PatsRule]

I think everyone will agree, no matter who wins on Saturday night, we all want to see Indy go down!!! **** Pay-A-Ton. I think it is going to be a great game Saturday night, probably the best of the weekend.


Funy thing on the Jacksonville board they refer to Payton as Jughead I laughed my arse off when I read that...You guys remember Jughead from the Archies..

http://www.archiecomics.com/images/TN/ask_jugheadTN.gif

[Bronx33]

Funy thing on the Jacksonville board they refer to Payton as Jughead I laughed my arse off when I read that...You guys remember Jughead from the Archies..

http://www.archiecomics.com/images/TN/ask_jugheadTN.gif


Yes iam that old....:afro:

[Victor]

Picking the Pats is the safe pick...three championships in four years, etc. Like they say in technology, nobody ever got fired for buying IBM. The same can be said for football pols...nobody ever looked silly for picking the Pats.

In fact you'd probably need a sack to pick the Broncos if you're reaching a national audience. Sack up people.

[EmpireOrange]

I am surprised that alot of the so called experts are picking the pats, and dont start whining about disrespect or not being on the east coast.They are picking the Pats for a reason I don't know what it is, could be the Brady or the Belichek factor or so called intangeables I just dont know.Even vegas has come down to 3 points which is basically home field advantage.The way iI see it I think Denver is a better team and playing in Denver is a huge home advantage,Denver and Kansas city are probably the two toughest places to play for a road team.I am encouraged that some of the prognosticators are picking my team but im not making plans for the AFC championship game just yet..I am a realist and not homer so I call it like I see it.

Dude, why are you so surprised? I assume you are talking about ESPN guyz, right? These “experts” ESPN or any other blow hard, know nothing about this game. Go back 4 years, remember what they were saying about the Pats in the playoffs? The 2nd SB run two seasons later, they were saying the same crap about youse Pats. They were also claiming the Broncos to finish 7-9 and 3rd to last place in the AFC-W this year. Theses guys know nothing, pal. Denver not only won the west, they won the phucker by 3 games! Don’t be surprised; I am surprise by you—Patriot fan!—banking crap on what these guys say. After all, NE of all teams should know that these guys are hypersters only out to be entertained by monkeys. They hated the Pats for a good while because they had “no stars” for crying out loud. They know whose contending for the Super Bowl in February, and at no time before do they have a freaking clue, period! Patriots are the pick for them until they get beat. That’s how they do it…unless you a TO on your team to do endzone dances for them, they won’t notice whose who until the games have been played.

[bendog]

I truly dislike Dungy for turning on Lynch at the total suckup job he's done with Payaton, but chosing between the pats and the suckuppony .... the media suck up to the Pats is making it a tough call for me. Hopefully, Den will go to the bowl and make the connundrum irrelevant.

[Crushaholic]

Denver hasn't won a playoff game since Elway retired. The Patriots have won 3 of the last 4 Super Bowls. If I were a sportswriter, I would probably doubt Denver's chances given the facts I just mentioned. That's OK. It will make it that much more sweet when Denver pulls off the win. This is nothing. If we have to go to Indy, ESPN will gladly relive the past two playoff games between us...:redbutt:

[Taco John]

I used to have a lot of respect for Tom Brady the person. But every time I see him, all I can think about is what a HUGE FREAKING WHINER he is, talking about not getting any DAMNED MEDIA ******* RESPECT!!!

SHUT THE **** UP TOM YOU HUGE FREAKING WHINER!

Oh my God, it's enough to drive me up the wall. I have never seen anyone get so much freaking publicity in all my life, and then turn around an bitch that it's not enough.

SHUT THE HELL UP TOM YOU SISSY!

[Bronx33]

I used to have a lot of respect for Tom Brady the person. But every time I see him, all I can think about is what a HUGE FREAKING WHINER he is, talking about not getting any DAMNED MEDIA ******* RESPECT!!!

SHUT THE **** UP TOM YOU HUGE FREAKING WHINER!

Oh my God, it's enough to drive me up the wall. I have never seen anyone get so much freaking publicity in all my life, and then turn around an b**** that it's not enough.

SHUT THE HELL UP TOM YOU SISSY!


I can't wait to see his post game comments.

[ludo21]

I can't wait to see his post game comments.


He will probably whine about his team not making tackles like Leinart ;D

Or "we knew coming in that no one gave us a shot............" :spit:

[Mile High Shack]

I used to have a lot of respect for Tom Brady the person. But every time I see him, all I can think about is what a HUGE FREAKING WHINER he is, talking about not getting any DAMNED MEDIA ******* RESPECT!!!

SHUT THE **** UP TOM YOU HUGE FREAKING WHINER!

Oh my God, it's enough to drive me up the wall. I have never seen anyone get so much freaking publicity in all my life, and then turn around an b**** that it's not enough.

SHUT THE HELL UP TOM YOU SISSY!

is he doing that again today???

[Bronx33]

He will probably whine about his team not making tackles like Leinart ;D

Or "we knew coming in that no one gave us a shot............" :spit:


They wanted it more than us....

[errand]

Isn't the spread based upon just evneing out betting dollars. More people want to bet NE, so the odds/spread are brought down to spread the money out. It has nothing to do with expert predictions, except the experts want to tell people what they want to hear. NE is the media darlings because ... Tom's Terrific and Tedy's bulletproof.

They all got down and worshipped Elway his last year too.

Exactly, I think the one year Vegas lost money on the SB was SBXIII when the Steeler's opened up as 5 point favorites, and alot of money went to Dallas to cover, the line dropped to 3 and people began putting money on the Steelers...

Steelers won by 4 in a thrilling 35-31 shootout

[errand]

Its ok Tedy Bruschi made all the writers pick the Pats.

You need to change your signature son....Sharpe's comments came during the '96 regular season win vs Pats.

Bruce Armstrong when told of Sharpe's comments said, "I'm sure Shannon had fun with that.....but tell me where he was on Super Bowl sunday?"

Bottom line....Shannon got three...Bruce retired with none.

[errand]

I can't wait to see his post game comments.

I bet he gets tired of Brian Griese leaving that "Yeah, but I led Michigan to the national title" message on his answering machine......

[errand]

I can't wait to see his post game comments.

Wanna really piss him off?...tell him "you know damn good and well that was a fumble....."

[bloodsunday]

There's a few reasons to pick the Pats, I think. They're a good football team, and they've been here before. Personally, I put a lot of weight on the intangibles, I think when it comes right down to it, heart, playing together as a team, etc can really turn games.

Some like to do purely stats, which is OK too. I do think the Broncos are the better football team, but, we don't have the history. We need to win a playoff game without John Elway. Plummer needs to prove he's really turned a corner. Our defense needs to step up and not get blown out by 30 points.

Like I said, I think the Broncos are the better team, but I have no problem with people giving the Champion Patriots the benefit of the doubt in this game. They've earned it.
There are two keys to this game, IMO. As the media suggests, the Plummer vs. Brady matchup is huge. Plummer doesn't have to outplay Brady, but he must play within himself and within our game plan (which he has done all year long). The Broncos must match the intensity and the heart of the Patriots. (This should be a lock as I think the ground beneath Invesco will be shaking).

Assuming Denver can do those two things, I think they win the game handily -- 10 pts or more. They are simply a more balanced team this season with a huge edge in Home Field.

[FADERPROOF]

I am surprised that alot of the so called experts are picking the pats, and dont start whining about disrespect or not being on the east coast.They are picking the Pats for a reason I don't know what it is, could be the Brady or the Belichek factor or so called intangeables I just dont know.Even vegas has come down to 3 points which is basically home field advantage.The way iI see it I think Denver is a better team and playing in Denver is a huge home advantage,Denver and Kansas city are probably the two toughest places to play for a road team.I am encouraged that some of the prognosticators are picking my team but im not making plans for the AFC championship game just yet..I am a realist and not homer so I call it like I see it.


Why are you surprised? Those experts have been blowing your team, your QB, and your head coach since 2001.

[Master___Pain]

You need to change your signature son....Sharpe's comments came during the '96 regular season win vs Pats.

Bruce Armstrong when told of Sharpe's comments said, "I'm sure Shannon had fun with that.....but tell me where he was on Super Bowl sunday?"

Bottom line....Shannon got three...Bruce retired with none.

Yeah, that^^

[FADERPROOF]

You need to change your signature son....Sharpe's comments came during the '96 regular season win vs Pats.

Bruce Armstrong when told of Sharpe's comments said, "I'm sure Shannon had fun with that.....but tell me where he was on Super Bowl sunday?"

Bottom line....Shannon got three...Bruce retired with none.


Sharpe sitting on his couch watching the game did just about as much to stop Desmond Howard as any Patriot that night.

[RhymesayersDU]

There are two keys to this game, IMO. As the media suggests, the Plummer vs. Brady matchup is huge. Plummer doesn't have to outplay Brady, but he must play within himself and within our game plan (which he has done all year long). The Broncos must match the intensity and the heart of the Patriots. (This should be a lock as I think the ground beneath Invesco will be shaking).

Assuming Denver can do those two things, I think they win the game handily -- 10 pts or more. They are simply a more balanced team this season with a huge edge in Home Field.
Great points. First and foremost, you're right about Plummer vs. Brady. Everybody is talking about this matchup, but I think they're making too much out of it. Yes, it is a big matchup, but like you said, Plummer doesn't have to outplay Brady, and it will be a detriment to our team if he tries to do that, forces things, etc. Plummer just needs to play for us like he's played all year long, period. He's played good, and even if he was a 2nd alternate, he is a Pro Bowl QB this year.

And yes, our intensity should be up, playing at home. Last year, we all said that the reason Cincy beat us so bad was because it was the first MNF game at Cincy in years, it was their SuperBowl, they had all the intensity, etc... Well you know what? This is our SuperBowl. I know we have aspirations for the real SuperBowl, but for this week at least, our season lives and dies against the Patriots this Saturday, IMO.

[orange 4 life]

I am surprised that alot of the so called experts are picking the pats, and dont start whining about disrespect or not being on the east coast.They are picking the Pats for a reason I don't know what it is

THEY dont know why either.

probably has something to do with a pretty boy qb who was outplayed this season by a shaggy bearded dude from idaho.

[terry251973]

If denver dont beat the colts then i will pull for seattle.They are our former afc west brothers and they have never won the superbowl before.Im not pulling for a team that has already won the superbowl unless of course its the broncos.Since the panthers get more respect than we do im not pulling for them either.