SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL WEEK 16: NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT DENVER BRONCOS

BY ADAM GREENE

You might ask yourself as you see this particular game on the schedule and run your hand down your face in frustration, “Why didn’t the NFL flex out of this Sunday Night fiasco?” Well, my friend, it’s because this isn’t a real SNF Contest. Oh no. Cris Collinsworth will be bumping cheeks with Mike Tericho Saturday afternoon in Pittsburgh as, I’m expecting maybe Rich Eisen and Kurt Warner, bring you this potential dud of a match up on NFL Network. But, hey, at least Rich and Kurt are fun.

This will be the 55^th all time meeting between two of the original AFL franchises. The Broncos hold a 31-23 advantage and have won three of the last five over New England, including a plodding 18-12 victory in their last matchup on Oct. 18, 2020.

Drew Lock (now with the Seattle Seahawks) was 10 of 24 passing for 189 yards, no touchdowns and two picks in the win. Philip Lindsay (also now with the Seahawks) rushed 23 times for 101 yards. Tim Patrick (out for the year with an injury) caught four passes for 101 yards.

In the loss, Cam Newton (currently out of the NFL) was 17 of 25 passing for 157 yards, no touchdowns and two picks. He led the team in rushing with 10 carries for 76 yards and a score. James White caught eight passes for 65 yards.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT DENVER BRONCOS (-6.5, O/U: 34)

Location: Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, Colo.

Broadcast: NFL Network

Kickoff: Dec. 24, 8:15 p.m.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (3-11)

It’s been a rough season for the Super Genius Bill Belichick and the Patriots. After picking up their first win since October two weeks ago over the Pittsburgh Steelers, they once again found themselves in the losing column, falling 27-17 to the Kansas City Chiefs. In the loss, Bailey Zappe was 23 of 31 passing for 180 yards, one touchdown and a pick. He was sacked four times. Kevin Harris rushed four times for 25 yards and a score. Hunter Henry caught seven passes for 66 yards and a TD. The defense held the Chiefs to just 43 total yards on the ground.

DENVER BRONCOS (7-7)

After spending nearly two months as the hottest team in the league, the Broncos fell back to Earth last week, getting blown out by the Detroit Lions, 42-17. Russell Wilson was 18 of 32 passing for 223 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions in the loss. He rushed for a score, lost a fumble and was sacked twice. Samaje Perine led the team on the ground with six carries for 37 yards. Jerry Jeudy caught three passes for 74 yards. Courtland Sutton hauled in five balls for 71 yards. The defense sacked Jared Goff twice.

THE PICK

We’re getting in scary territory as the Pats currently pick No. 2 overall if the 2024 NFL Draft were held today. They’re a Carolina Panthers win away from landing the top overall selection and Caleb Williams. I can’t stress enough how much I don’t want that to happen. Frankly, I don’t even like the idea of them landing Drake Maye. They need to pick up another win or two to keep that from happening, but considering they have the Buffalo Bills coming up on the schedule next week, it’s not looking good. Broncos 27, Patriots 16

Last week

Straight up: 10-6

Against the spread: 8-8

Season

Straight up: 112-70

Against the spread: 100-82

Follow Adam Greene on Twitter @TheFirstMan.

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