I am having difficulty reading this game. It looks like it should be an easy Bronco victory to me. Still, the Broncos have played 4 of 6 at home, only playing Oakland (win) and Chiefs (horrible loss) on the road. The offense has been sputtering...but so has the Pats.

Just looking at the Broncos, you'd think the way to attack them is with the run. They are very good at corner and have a good pass rusher. But they have been giving it up by air as well.

Public is on the Broncos but the line moved .5 towards the Pats. That usually tells you something.

I guess I'd lean towards the Pats.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

There must be a great deal of money on Denver tonight, and quite frankly, I like them to not only cover, but I think they'll win outright. The Patriots were awful last Sunday night out in San Diego, and Matt Cassel proved to be nothing more than a stopgap at quarterback. He's no Tom Brady! Besides, I think the tension between Bill Belichick & Offensive Coordinator/QB Coach Josh McDaniels seen at halftime continues...

I think there is a good chance that Cassel isn't playing towards the end of the game and the backup is in. That's not a good thing for New England and the game isn't close.

The fact that the genius coach of the Patriots allowed his whole season to be ruined by one injury to one player with a backup who hadn't started a game since high school is crazy. I can't believe he doesn't get more criticism for letting Cassel be the backup QB on a Super Bowl quality team. I could name 5 QB's they could have had in free agency or the draft that would have been better.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

Rick, Belichick rolled the dice with Cassel and it appears to be snake eyes for the Patriots. The backup you're referring to is Kevin O'Connell, who's likely not much better than Cassel. They did bring in journeymen QBs Tim Rattay, formerly of San Francisco, Tampa Bay & Arizona, along with Chris Simms, formerly of Tampa & most recently Tennessee before he got cut. Neither Rattay nor Simms impressed Belichick to sign a contract, and right now, New England will be fortunate to make the playoffs as a Wildcard in the AFC. How the mighty have fallen!

The problem with the Patriots is much deeper than Cassell and the offense. This is a team on the decline. While QB is part of the equation, it's by far from the only or even the most serious issue. How about their aging defense, which got whacked by Miami and San Diego? New England's playmakers on defense are a year or two over the hill. The offense has other problems besides Cassell...namely, they don't have a top line running back. Maroney? Keep him. Not even in the top 20 in the league. Yes, they could have gotten another QB to sit on the bench as Brady's backup had they shelled out more coin and probably passed on one or more of their free agents or draftees, but would the Pats have a different record with another journeyman at QB? They are 3-2. Would they have beaten Miami with a different QB in a game in which their D was whacked? Would they have beaten SD in a game in which their D was whacked? I don't think so. They won't be in the playoffs this year, but I don't think you can blame it solely on their QB. They are playing another good offense tonight. Their D will likely get whacked again tonight by the #2 offense in the NFL. Will that be the fault of their mediocre QB ? It's apparent now that the great Brady hid a lot of mediocrity on that team.

As bad as New England's O might be, I expect them to score some points tonight against a Broncos team that won't impress anybody with their D. In fact, as bad as New England has been on both sides of the ball....and as I think they are...Denver's D (ranked #30 in the league) is the worst of the four units on the field tonight. Take them +3 at your peril.
For my part, I don't think there is any great side or total (49) bet out there tonight.

Thanks for the thoughts. You probably helped me into a decision not to play tonight.

By the way, this season puts to rest the argument of Brady or Moss as the MVP last year.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

I can agree with all that, but would it have been that hard to bring in someone like Brad Johnson or Gus Ferrote? At least those guys have started a game since high school. It's clear the team does have other issues. You are right that it probably wouldn't make them a top team in the AFC anyways.

No matter what, it's good to see the Patriots finally having a down season.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

Shannahan took Plummer and Griese to New England in won, I would say Cutler is better. Broncos don't lose to the Patriots.