NFL Game of the Week – New England vs. Denver
When Josh McDaniels took the reigns in Denver, things started to implode pretty damn quickly. He was forced to unload Jay Cutler and take on Kyle Orton, and nearly lost the services of Brandon Marshall. Quickly though, the Broncos thundered out to an undefeated record SU and ATS and have quietly put forth the best defense in the league. You read the last part of that sentence correctly.
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Denver Broncos allows 239.8 total yards (2 nd), 162.5 passing yards against (3 rd) and 77.3 rushing yards against (5 th) while holding opponents to 6.5 points per game. Credit Brain Dawkins arrival in town. Credit whatever the hell makes you sleep at night, but the proof is there. 
With wins over Dallas, Oakland, Cleveland and Cincinnati, the Broncos have held their own against some low-end talent in the NFL. Now they get one of the most dangerous teams in the entire league in their own house.
Josh McDaniels has to overcome a hex that hangs over all of Bill Belichik’s mentees. If McDaniels is to avoid the same fate that has fell upon guys like Romeo Crennel, Charlie Weis and Eric Mangini, then he’ll have to prove he can hold his footing against his former boss. Who’ve you got – the teacher, or the student?
New England Patriots (3-1) vs. Denver Broncos (4-0)
Sunday, October 11 th — INVESCO Field, Denver — 4:15pm EST
NFL Betting Line: New England -3.5 (41)
The Patriots took a loss to the Jets on the chin, but bounced back to romp the Falcons 26-10 and then outlast the Ravens 27-21. Continuing in their Brady reintegration phase will be a visit to Denver to prove that this defense is full of holes and hot air. The thing is, I’m not so sure they are. I mean those stats speak for themselves, and it’s not Dallas or Cincinnati could effectively move the ball.
The rush defense in Denver gets to face Laurence Maroney, who was booed in his own building for his pathetic production last week. New England Patriots may be 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games, but they’re just 5-15 ATS in their last 20 games against Denver. Add that to the Broncos impressive 4-1 ATS run at home and their 9-4 SU record in Mile High, and you have “upset” written all over this one.
Usually I would look at this matchup and say, “Orton or Brady? Really?”, but this has more to it than that. Denver is playing well as a team, and New England’s defense isn’t what it used to be. The road team is getting the respect, but the home team is going to get the headlines with a win as the teacher gets handed a loss by his best disciple.
NFL Free Pick: Denver +3.5 (OVER)
