Broncos Fall to Pats in Foxborough

The much anticipated Peyton Manning-Tom Brady duel on Sunday did not live it to the classic battles that these two have played in the past. Overall, the Broncos did not deliver a classic performance in this high profile battle. The Broncos again showed that they are not in the class of the NFL's elite with a 31-21 loss at the hands of Brady and Patriots. At 31-7, Denver started to make one of their patented comebacks in the second half, but it fell short after Willis McGahee fumbled inside the 10 down 31-21 with 3:42 remaining in the game. Unfortunately, the Broncos lost another game in which they made mistakes on offense, couldn't get off the field on defense, and fell behind big only to try and make a miracle comeback that fell short. This game didn't live up to the hype, but it clearly showed how far the Broncos are away from being a big-time Super Bowl contender. Here are my quick thoughts on the game................

1) The Pats fast, no-huddle attack completely kept the Broncos off guard on defense. The Broncos got mowed down in the run game, they couldn't get off the field on third downs, and Wes Welker killed them in the passing games. Stevan Ridley had 151 yards rushing and it felt like he had over 250. The Broncos defense is bad, and unless they turn it around quickly, it is going to be an Achilles heel for them all year long.

2) The Broncos make mistakes like a high school team. Demaryius Thomas fumbled a ball deep into Patriots territory set the tone for the day. Willis McGahee had a key drop on a fourth down in the fourth quarter, he fumbled late in the game down 10, and Peyton Manning fumbled in the third quarter to give the Pats another opportunity to score. You can't have that and win in the NFL no matter who you are playing.

3) The key moment for this game was when the Broncos were down 14-7 in the second quarter. They punted on a 4th and 5 from the NE 39. It was a call that I didn't like, but they punt the Pats deep at their own 2 yard line. The Pats proceed to go the length of the field, and settle for a 23 yard field goal to make it 17-7. It would have been 21-7 if not for a great play by Von Miller. That sequence killed the Broncos at the end of the half. The next time Denver had the ball, they ran it to Lance Ball on a 3rd and 8 at their own 48. The Pats converted a 3rd and 17 on a Danny Woodhead running play, and they scored to make it 24-7. That whole sequence of events put the game away in my mind.

4) Von Miller was an absolute beast yesterday. His stop on third and goal late in the first half was a huge play, and one of the best defensive efforts of the season. He also forced a fumble late in the game and added another sack. He was sensational yesterday.

5) The killer play for me was the Woodhead run on 3rd and 17. That play help the Pats put up a 24-7 lead, and if the Broncos get a stop there, then maybe they get themselves back into game earlier and not leave it up to another improbable comeback.

6) Peyton Manning was great yesterday. He went 31-44 for 345 yards and 3 touchdowns. Put it this way: It is not his fault that the Broncos are 2-3. Yes, his arm is still not there 100% but he has played really well the last two games. He did fumble once in the third quarter on a sack, and he did miss a couple of passes, but he really didn't have the ball a lot in the third quarter thanks to the Patriots offense. Manning did his job for the most part on Sunday. After five games, he is completing 66% of his passes, has over 1,500 yards in the air with 11 touchdowns and only 3 interceptions. That is not a bad start for a guy who missed all of last season.

7) The Patriots are just not a good matchup for the Broncos. No matter what the circumstances are I just can't see the Broncos upsetting the Patriots anytime in the near future.

8) In my mind the first must-win game of the season is next week. At 2-3, Denver trails San Diego by one game in the AFC West. A win in San Diego next Monday night would put them in a tie for first at 3-3 after six weeks. I really think Denver needs to win this game. If they lose, then they will be 2-4 and two games out of first. It is gut-check time for the Bronx as they head into a very critical AFC West showdown with their old friend Phillip Rivers.