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AFC Championship Game 2014: Alfonzo Dennard returns after shoulder injury

By Josh Hill

Jan 11, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Alfonzo Dennard (37) intercepts a pass intended for Indianapolis Colts wide receiver LaVon Brazill (not pictured) during the first quarter of the 2013 AFC divisional playoff football game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Alfonzo Dennard (37) intercepts a pass intended for Indianapolis Colts wide receiver LaVon Brazill (not pictured) during the first quarter of the 2013 AFC divisional playoff football game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 11, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Alfonzo Dennard (37) intercepts a pass intended for Indianapolis Colts wide receiver LaVon Brazill (not pictured) during the first quarter of the 2013 AFC divisional playoff football game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Alfonzo Dennard (37) intercepts a pass intended for Indianapolis Colts wide receiver LaVon Brazill (not pictured) during the first quarter of the 2013 AFC divisional playoff football game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /

The New England Patriots may ave a lot of people rooting for them today, but that glosses over the fact that they’re not the favorites to win today’s AFC Championship game against the Denver Broncos. The Patriots are hot at the moment now and a lot of that has to do with their great defensive secondary play as of late.

Last week the Patriots had a field day with Andrew Luck and absolutely picked him apart. Alfonzo Dennard was a large part of the disruption in the AFC Divisional game and New England needs him to have a big game again to contain Peyton Manning.

One thing the Patriots don’t need is Dennard, or any other defensive player, to get injured. That’s exactly what happened on the first defensive drive of the game for the Patriots as Dennard injured his shoulder making a play. He left the game and his replacement was burned by Eric Decker on the next play, and Patriots fans were starting to get nervous.

But after the teams traded punts, Dennard returned to the field and appears to be back for now. The injury scare didn’t take long to occur though, and the Patriots will be on their toes health-wise for the rest of the game.

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