[aeneas1]

line opened at patriots -3 and has stayed there for the most part, with a bit of a bump to 3.5 in the middle of last week, but back down to 3... patriots #2 offense (offensive points scored) vs the broncos #4 defense (offensive points allowed), broncos #23 offense vs patriots #7 defense... broncos ranked 1st in offensive scoring in 2013 & 2014, but dropped to 23rd this season - with manning as starter the broncos averaged just 18.8 offensive points per game this year, and 20.7 when he didn't start...

should the broncos manage to get by the patriots and make it to the super bowl, it will mark only the second time in the past 38 season, i.e.since 1978 when the league moved to a 16-game schedule, that team that finished in the 20s in offensive scoring made it to the big show... the only team that has managed this feat was the 2002 bucs, with their 23rd ranked offense - but the 2002 bucs also fielded 4th best defense (offensive points allowed) among the 1,105 defenses that have taken the field since 1978, i.e. dating back 38 seasons... btw, which head coach do you think fielded the 3rd best defense (offensive points allowed) dating back to 1978? fisher, with his 2000 titans defense.

[aeneas1]

anyone willing to pull for patriots for jackson's super bowl ring sake?

[RamsFanSince82]

anyone willing to pull for patriots for jackson's super bowl ring sake?

No way. Last year when the Pats were playing the Seahawks in the Super Bowl is the only time that I cheered for the Pats. I'll be so happy if the Broncos win this game. I'd be cheering for the Broncos in the SB. If the Pats make it to the SB, I''ll be cheering for the NFC team.

[aeneas1]

per pro football focus:

broncos - 20th ranked oline, 23rd ranked pass pro oline
patriots - 25th ranked oline, 31st ranked pass pro oline

pro football focus also rates the 12 olinemen (6 per team) who played the most snaps for the broncos and patriots as follows:

elite - 0
pro bowl caliber - 1
above average starter - 1
average starter - 0
below average starter - 1
backup caliber - 3
worse than backup - 6

in short, 10 of the 12 rated as below average or worse.

[Elvis]

The fix is in NE ball...

[aeneas1]

nasty spear, don't know how these guys get back up half the time...

ps - sj!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[aeneas1]

btw, when did sj chop the dreds?

[Elvis]

Looks like his TD celebration is a little rusty...

[aeneas1]

was probably unsure about postseason celebration rules....

[aeneas1]

3 of the 4 offenses playing in the championship round are fielding olines that are ranked (pff) 23rd, 28th and 31st in pass pro, go figure...