MNF

Denver @ New England

This game puts both teams in situations that they really haven't faced this year. Denver is actually going to play a decent team on the road. Their only two road games this year were a blowout of Oakland and a loss to KC. The Pats on the other hand are only playing their 3rd home game, with a win over KC and an embarrassing loss to the Dolphins. Both teams are coming off losses to pretty good teams. I do think history may tell us a little bit though about the Pats. Earlier this season, the Cardinals played @ Washington and then spent the following week on the east coast before they went out and absolutely played terrible against the Jets. When the Cards came back home the following week, they beat a pretty Bills team. This is similar to the Pats situation tonight. They played in San Francisco, stayed on the west coast before they played the Chargers in which they were beaten handily, and now the come home to play a pretty good Broncos team. I do believe that the Pats have a little extra motivation also, as the last time they played in front of the home fans they were embarrassed by Ronnie Brown. I am sure that is in the back of their heads and they are going to want to send a message to the fans during prime time.

If we match up offenses verse defenses, both teams should be able to run the ball with reasonable success. There is a reason that I am favoring the Pats here though. The Broncos have showed over the past couple of weeks that physical defenses give them some problems. I feel the Pats have a physical defense. The key will be can the Pats protect Cassell. They have given up a bunch of sacks, but Denver only has 10 sacks on the year. I believe at home, that the Pats will be able to run the ball to set up the pass, and when they pass they will be able to protect Cassell. I am taking the Pats -3 at home.