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Patriots at Broncos: Highlights, score and recap

By Brad Weiss

Jan 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) is sacked by Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) in the second half in the AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) is sacked by Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) in the second half in the AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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In a rematch of last year’s AFC Championship Game, the New England Patriots will head to Denver to take on the Broncos.

Last January, the New England Patriots went into Denver to play in the AFC Championship Game. It was another matchup between Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, with Manning and his Broncos defeating the Pats, 20-18. Manning has since retired, but Brady is still slinging it for New England, and he should get his revenge on Sunday.

The Patriots are coming off a huge victory against the Baltimore Ravens this past weekend, as Brady  threw for over 400 yards in the win. The Pats looked pretty unstoppable on offense, and despite the fact they are playing against an elite defense on Sunday, they should be able to move the ball against the Broncos. Denver is looking to stay alive in the AFC Playoff race, but the Pats will be a tall order in Week 15.

Denver is currently the third place team in the AFC West, and will need a Wild Card berth if they hope to try to make a second straight trip to the Super Bowl. With Manning retired, the team has turned to second-year pro Trevor Siemian to lead the way, and he has played well this season. The Broncos are coming off a loss to the Tennessee Titans, but Siemian had one of his better passing efforts as a pro, throwing for over 300 yards in the game.

The Broncos need this win badly, but the Patriots just may be too good to lose on Sunday. This version of the Patriots looks like one of the better ones we have seen in a while, and Father Time has not affected their star quarterback. This one is going to be a good one, but Brady and company should leave Denver with the No. 1 seed in the AFC still intact.

Highlights

Highlights will be posted throughout the game.

Three Stars Prediction

1. Tom Brady

Brady is coming off a huge game against a very good Baltimore Ravens team this past weekend, and he will keep it going on Sunday. The Pats are looking to stay as the No. 1 seed in the AFC, and while the Broncos have an elite defense, it won’t matter much in this one. Denver has owned Brady during his career, but that won’t be the case in this one.

2. Demaryius Thomas

Quarterback Trevor Siemian played well this past week, and Demaryius Thomas was a beneficiary of that. The Patriots have a solid secondary, but they are not good enough to contain Thomas for four quarters. Expect a big game out of Thomas on Sunday, as he finds the end zone at least once in this one.

3. Julian Edelman

Edelman felt the wrath of Tom Brady this past weekend, as he missed an assignment and got chewed out on the sidelines. That won’t happen again on Sunday, as Brady and Edelman will find their groove once again. Brady needs Edelman to be huge the rest of the way if they hope to make a return trip to the Super Bowl, and it will start on Sunday against the Broncos.

Next: NFL Power Rankings: 30 Best QB of All-Time

Odds

New England is a road favorite on Sunday, giving the Broncos three points at home. The over/under is set at 43 points, so the odds makers expect the defenses to play big in this one.

Next Week

The Broncos will play on primetime in Week 16, as they travel to Kansas City to take on the first place Chiefs. New England will return home for an AFC East matchup, as rival New York come to town.

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