Almost ten years have passed since the last regular-season game between the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos, which featured Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. On November 2, 2014, New England defeated the opposition 43–21 thanks to four touchdown passes from Brady. The game between the Denver Broncos and the visiting Patriots on Sunday night may demonstrate exactly how much can actually change in ten years. Both crimes have significantly down from their peak nine years ago, with New England’s drop being more pronounced. The Patriots (3-11) lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 27-17 on Sunday, and as a result, their average score per game is a league-worst 13.3. With 4:47 remaining in the second quarter, Chad Ryland’s 25-yard field goal gave New England a 10-7 lead. The Patriots wouldn’t score again until little under 8 1/2 minutes remained in the fourth quarter. Denver (7-7) had the least potent offense of the 2022 season (16.9 points per game), but head coach Sean Payton of the Broncos has begun to turn things around in his first season. Denver, which has won six of its last eight games, is scoring 21.7 points per game on average under Payton. Although the Broncos’ performance was below that threshold in a 42-17 loss to the Detroit Lions the previous weekend, New England coach Bill Belichick is confident in the team’s ability to recover. Belichick remarked, “They obviously have good players.” They have a great deal of continuity there because they began each game with the same line. The quarterback is a special player with a great deal of talent. Courtland Sutton is one of the best receivers out there; he’s a large man with excellent hands who makes contested receptions and is really difficult to cover.” Russell Wilson, who completed 18 of 32 passes for 223 yards and a touchdown against Detroit, is the quarterback to whom Belichick was alluding. In the latter stages of the third quarter, Wilson was also seen being savaged by Payton on the sidelines following the nullification of a Denver touchdown due to an offensive offside penalty. “Tough evening… It was just one of those occasions,” Payton later told reporters. “Listen, what I talk with Russell about is none of your business.” In order to prevent any bad vibes from that argument or the actual loss from transferring into Sunday’s game against the Patriots, Payton is taking precautions. “You can only focus on the things you can control, and it’s obviously getting ready to play New England — and that’s it,” Payton stated. “Focus on getting this next win, because that’s really all that matters.” The injuries to tight end Greg Dulcich (hamstring/foot), lineman Alex Palczewski (knee), and linebacker Nik Bonitto (knee) will make it difficult for the Broncos to recover on Sunday. Trent Brown, an offensive tackle from New England; Hunter Henry, a tight end; Christian Barmore, a defensive tackle; Jonathan Jones, a cornerback; and special teams star Linebackers Jahlani Tavai (ankle), Ja’Whaun Bentley (knee), and Anfernee Jennings (illness) have all been limited in practice and are listed as questionable, along with Matthew Slater (hamstring). Conor McDermott, a tackle who missed practice the entire week due to a concussion, is also doubtful. The following players won’t play on Sunday: safety Jabrill Peppers (hamstring), receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (ankle), and running back Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle). –Media at the Field Level
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