[Photo Credit: USA Today]
There are losses, and then there are huge losses. Last night’s Broncos’ 34-31 loss to the Patriots falls into the latter category after blowing a 24-0 lead at halftime. This was a meltdown of epic proportions. There’s no sugarcoating this.
This loss certainly gives reason to think the Patriots are good enough to beat the Broncos come playoff time. That’s why this loss hurts more than anything. That’s why this loss is not just an ordinary loss.
Even if the Broncos won last night, this would not diminish the Patriots’ confidence. When they have a great quarterback like Tom Brady, nothing fazes them. That’s why the Broncos’ 24-0 lead at the half was fool’s gold. The Patriots quarterback is too good and proud to quit after a lead, and he demonstrated that last night.
Brady showed why he is one of the best quarterbacks of all time when he engineered four touchdowns and a field goal in the second half. He showed leadership there in giving the Broncos a lead in the second half.
The Broncos had no answers for the future Hall of Fame quarterback after they blitzed him often in the first half. It’s stunning why they stopped blitzing in the second half. They played it safe for reasons that Broncos interim coach Jack Del Rio knows.
Brady’s ability to torch the Broncos defense should be a concern come postseason time. Forget the Patriots quarterback. Elite quarterbacks such as Andrew Luck, Ben Roethlisberger and Phillip Rivers could carve up that defense, too. It’s a concern the team has to admit.
If they can’t stop Brady when he was hot last night, what makes anyone think they can come playoff time if they meet? The Patriots quarterback has had his way with the Broncos in recent years.
Peyton Manning struggling against the Patriots is an issue whether the Broncos want to admit it or not. He always struggles against that team for whatever reason, and last night was no different.
Manning completed 19 of 36 passes for 150 yards, and he threw for 73 yards in the first 3 ½ quarters. He had a hard time connecting with his receivers all night long. It’s no wonder why Belichick went with the wind rather than have his offense go for the win to start overtime. He thought the Broncos quarterback would find a way to struggle and the Patriots would be in a better field position to win the game, and that’s what happened.
It’s a mental block Manning can’t deny, especially with his 4-10 record against Brady. It’s something he will be thinking about come postseason. He’s not naive to think otherwise. He’s only human.
There’s also an confidence issue with the team when it comes to playing the Patriots. For them to implode altogether, they have to wonder if they are good enough to handle adversity against the Patriots. They have to wonder if they are not good enough to beat them.
The Broncos made so many mistakes in the second half to the point it makes one wonder if it was all mental whether it’s the dropped passes or Tony Carter running into Ryan Allen’s punt after it bounced or Montee Ball fumbling the ball or Rob Gronkowski being wide open too many times.
Either way, there’s no denying the Patriots know what to do against the Broncos. That’s why Broncos fans were not happy after the game, and that’s why the Denver media is already questioning the Broncos’ chances of beating the Patriots in the playoffs.
The Broncos will say all the right things when it comes to playing the Patriots. To think they are going to tell the truth about their chances against the Patriots is something that’s not going to happen. The only way they can say things are going to change if they finally get it done against the Patriots in the postseason.
The Patriots will be a team the Broncos have to go through if they are going to win the Super Bowl. Right now, there are doubts about them beating them. Last night reinforced that theory.
The Broncos will be fine for the rest of the season. They should win their remaining games. They are good enough to beat the Chiefs, Titans, Chargers, Texans and Raiders, and that will get them a bye week in the playoffs.
The Patriots are lurking, though. Even if the game is at Sports Authority Field, they like their chances against the Broncos based on recent history.
The Patriots gave the Broncos last night a reminder of what they can do to them in January.
Contact or follow Leslie Monteiro at @LightRodWriter
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Leslie Monteiro
Leslie is a contributor for Lightning Rod Sports. He covered high school sports in Bergen County out in North Jersey, and has written op-ed columns on sports such as Bleacher Report and NY Sports Digest.
