On Sunday, the Patriots and Broncos will cross paths for the 45th time overall, and for the third time in postseason play. The Broncos owning a 27-17 advantage in the series.
The two clubs have met twice in the postseason with Denver winning both contests. The Broncos topped the Patriots 22-17 in an AFC Divisional Playoff game on Jan. 4, 1987, and defeated them 27-13 on Jan. 14, 2006 in another AFC Divisional Playoff matchup.
The Broncos have won six of the nine meetings between the two clubs in the past decade. At one point, Denver reeled off 11 consecutive victories over the Patriots (11/4/84-9/7/98).
Notable performances against the Patriots:
S Brian Dawkins: Posted one sack (19 yards) to go with both a forced and recovered fumble and three pass breakups against New England on Dec. 19, 1998, while a member of the Eagles.
CB Champ Bailey: Has intercepted two passes, broken up a total of four passes to go with 16 tackles and one forced fumble in his career against the Patriots. His 100-yard interception return against the Patriots in an AFC Divisional Playoff game against New England on Jan. 14, 2006 is the longest non-scoring interception return in NFL postseason history.
DE Elvis Dumervil: Made eight tackles (5 solo) to go with 2 sacks (15 yds.) against New England on Oct. 20, 2008.
RB Willis McGahee: Carried 31 times for 136 yards (4.4 avg.) on Oct. 30, 2005 with the Bills. He recorded 120 total yards (59 rushing , 61 receiving) with one receiving touchdown on Oct. 22, 2006, also playing for Buffalo. McGahee ran the ball 30 times for 138 yards (4.6 avg.) with one touchdown on Dec. 3, 2007, while playing with Baltimore.
WR Demaryius Thomas: Caught seven passes for 116 yards when the teams met earlier this season on Dec. 11, 2011.
Denver-New England Roster Connections
Some interesting roster connections between the Broncos and Patriots courtesy of research done by Public Relations Intern Cydney Ricker:
Denver quarterback Tim Tebow (2006-09), defensive tackle Marcus Thomas (2003-06) and defensive end Derrick Harvey (2004-07) spent time at the University of Florida with New England linebacker Jermaine Cunningham (2006-09), tight end Aaron Hernandez (2007-09) and linebacker Brandon Spikes (2006-09). All of these Gators were a part of Florida’s National Championship teams in 2006 and/or 2008
New England nose tackle Vince Wilfork played at the University of Miami with Denver linebacker D.J. Williams (2003) and running back Willis McGahee (2001-02)
Denver punter Britton Colquitt and defensive end Robert Ayers spent time at Tennessee with New England linebacker Jerod Mayo (2005-07)
New England tackle Nate Solder grew up in Buena Vista, Colo. He went on to play at the University of Colorado for four seasons (2007-10) earning All-American status his final year.
New England defensive tackle Gerard Warren played in Denver for two seasons (2005-06).
New England linebacker Niko Koutouvides played in Denver in 2008.
New England defensive back Nate Jones played for the Broncos in 2010 as well as spent the 2011 training camp in Denver.
New England Head Coach Bill Belichick served as Denver’s assistant special teams coach as well as being an assistant to the defensive coordinator during the 1978 season.
New England Special Teams Coordinator Scott O’Brien served in the same capacity in
Denver during the 2007-08 seasons.
Denver cornerback Jonathan Wilhite spent three seasons with the Patriots (2008-10) before arriving in Denver this season.
Denver guard Russ Hochstein spent his first seven NFL seasons in New England (2002-08).
Denver long snapper Lonie Paxton also made his first NFL stop in New England spending nine seasons with the Patriots (2000-08).
-Stuart Zaas
Tags: AFC Divisional Round, New England Patriots, Series History
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I think history goes out the window when it comes to these types of games. As far as I’m concerned, the Pat’s are a strong playoff contender, as they have been the last decade. We need to stay focused and execute.
We may also need some luck with turnovers…
Go Broncos!
Orange Friday!!
Prediction:
Broncos 27
NE 21
Score prediction
Denver – 30
New England – 24
Prediction:
Den 33
NE 27
I just got done watching 8 video’s that were posted 1-13-12 on the patriots web site( Come on BTV. your slackin) ya gotta check this out, the guy name Paul Parillo said that this is actually going to be the first ever double bye week in the NFL for the pats. Talk about no respect……. http://www.patriots.com/media-center/videos/Patriots-All-Access—1132012/8991495d-9089-40c2-aebf-0b2016dba68b#?id=7e0aae16-27f9-439b-8f16-ff206eda9f1e
If we are going to beat New England we have to make Brady uncomfortable…….get to him constantly, knock him down, rattle his cage, force a turnover or 2……..if we do this we can win this game. We need to get pressure on Brady and by doing this may result in a few big plays for the Pats but I’m willing to give up a big play or two if that means knocking Brady down and making them punt. The Pats D is suspect, we put up 16 points on them in heartbeat earlier this year……..this time those FG’s need to be Touchdowns……..I truly believe we can win this game, momemtum is on our side and when you’re the underdogs and no one is expecting you to win crazy things can happen……..I also don’t think the Pats respect the Broncos and Tebow for that matter……..shock the world fellas!
Go Broncos!
The anti Christ media tried to crucify Tebow last game ,because they Pridefuly thought not even God could Help him against this Steelers D-fence against the Pass ,Tebow throws 40 yard passes like there 10 yard passes,Hes a GIANT at the long Ball ALL YEAR.gET HIM A COUPLE MORE FAST recievers who can beat there defender down field ,he will make a Living on droping the A-BOMBS.
Tebow needs a Randy Moss kind of Guy to playside bye side with number 88 which is your record this season 8-8 ,this would compliment Tebows natural Tallent to throw the 40 yard pass like its a 10 yard pass.Put this in your Christmas List,will Help Against many of the tough apponents next year.
On Jan. 8, 2012, three years to the date that he caused millions of football fans to Google the meaning of John 3:16, Tebow played his first playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. And … Tebow threw for 316 yards.
Tebow averaged 31.6 yards per completion, the highest single-game postseason completion average in NFL history.
Ben Roethlisberger’s second-quarter interception, which led to a Matt Prater field goal and a 17-6 Broncos lead, came on a third-and-16.
The Steelers finished the game with a time of possession of 31:06.
And at the time Tebow threw the game-winning 80-yard touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas — the NFL’s longest postseason pass in overtime history — CBS’ final quarter-hour overnight ratings were, yes, a 31.6.
Jesus said take the Gospel message to the whole world.What the Lord says we Do.
agreeing with you all about the no turning it over but even winning the turnover battle and playing a full game of football wont help us win the refs gotta call plays as they are not as they want them like facemasks and holding when miller and doom come storming across the line. because we all know today denver plays the team that refs play favorite to because of pretty boy tom