2016 AFC Championship Game: #2 New England Patriots at #1 Denver Broncos

[Candyman5]

Quote: Originally Posted by areobee401

What's your beef with Cam Newton? I will say this about Cam and the Super Bowl. Two weeks of listening to everyone and their mother give an opinion on the way he carries himself on the field does not sound like a good time. What will make things even worse is the Super Bowl is covered by more than just the usual sports media. So you can count on some really dumb commentary. Still, that's not enough for me to not want the Panthers to win on Sunday.

Had a relative go to Auburn. We went there on a open campus thing for a week. Cam was a complete POS to anyone that wasnt in his "clique". Every since then my hate for him has been strong.

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[Chip Douglass]

Teams in NFL history that lead the league in net passing yards per attempt against and rushing yards per attempt against:

- 1987 Bears
- 1991 Eagles
- 2008 Steelers
- 2015 Broncos

Historically great defense + HFA + game-manager Manning should be enough to see Denver through.

[Sportsforever]

Quote: Originally Posted by Chip Douglass

Teams in NFL history that lead the league in net passing yards per attempt against and rushing yards per attempt against: - 1987 Bears - 1991 Eagles - 2008 Steelers - 2015 Broncos Historically great defense + HFA + game-manager Manning should be enough to see Denver through.

Only one of those teams even made the SB, let alone won it. Small sample, but I don't think that means much for Denver.

[Chip Douglass]

Quote: Originally Posted by Sportsforever

Only one of those teams even made the SB, let alone won it. Small sample, but I don't think that means much for Denver.

I did a wee-bit of cherry-picking, so naturally there's a smaller sample. But other teams with Denver's profile have won the Super Bowl.

Fivethirtyeight, Football Outsiders, and Sagarin all have Denver favored in this game.

I just think the Denver bearishness is a little off-base. That's all.

[slickdtc]

I just don't trust Manning to be a game manager because he's never been asked to be one or had to be one. It's funny, if you stick Alex Smith on that team I'd feel a lot better about their chances.

Also, it's the Patriots.

[gharp14]

Gotta go with the Patriots in this one. I just have no faith in Denver's offense, especially against the pats defense. Denver defense is really good but not enough to win.
Pats 23
Den 10

[areobee401]

@MikeReiss
Ed Hochuli has been assigned as referee for the AFC Championship Game, the league announced today.

Yay

[wwharton]

Quote: Originally Posted by slickdtc

I just don't trust Manning to be a game manager because he's never been asked to be one or had to be one. It's funny, if you stick Alex Smith on that team I'd feel a lot better about their chances. Also, it's the Patriots.

Don't really get this comment, slickdtc. I'd argue that Manning and Brady have managed games on a HOF level throughout their careers. People have traditionally said Manning has always been the real OC in Indy.

Of course Manning's arm isn't what it used to be (and that may be enough for a BB designed defense to win the chess match with him), but its amazing how many are focused on that only. He's got one of the best minds we've ever see play the QB position. Your Alex (or their Brock) couldn't hold a candle when it comes to recognizing defenses, calling perfect audibles, putting olinemen in the best possible position, getting the ball to the correct receiver for the situation, etc. His decreased velocity is definitely a real handicap, don't get me wrong... but you guys are nuts if you think there are more than a handful of QBs you'd rather have going into a conference championship game against a BB defense designed to exploit your weaknesses.

This game is going to be A LOT closer than I think most people are predicting.