As of now, it appears the Patriots will finally play the Broncos this Sunday at Gillette Stadium.
The game was scheduled for last Sunday, then Monday, then rescheduled for Week 6 forcing the two teams into taking their bye weeks early.
Now that the game is being played a week later, both teams will look a lot different than if the game was played as planned. New England will get Cam Newton and Stephon Gilmore back, as both were activated off the COVID list this week, and then Denver will likely start Drew Lock at quarterback, who also likely would not have played if the game was played last week.
Denver hasn’t played a game since Oct. 1, while the Patriots haven’t played since Oct. 5.
Broncos vs. Patriots
Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020
1:00 p.m., CBS
Patriots -9.5, over/under 44.5
3 keys to the game
Get Newton going
Having not played a game in three weeks and having limited practice time, it’s important to try and get Newton going as quickly as possible. It’s likely he will have some rust, so maybe call a few designed runs for him on the first drive to get him hit and back into the swing of things. Denver struggles in defending the pass — 22nd in yards allowed — so this could be an area for Newton and the Patriots offense to exploit. Having Newton under center should allow the unit to perform better than it did the last time it took the field and turned the ball over four times against the Chiefs.
Continue strong play on defense
It didn’t get talked about as much as it should have for other reasons, but the Patriots defense is coming off one of its best games in a long time. The group had Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City offense confused for a lot of the game and got contributions from a number of players, especially in the secondary. While Denver isn’t even close to Kansas City in terms of firepower, the Patriots defense needs to continue the momentum from the last time it took to the field.
Figure out roles at wide receiver
The Patriots have some questions at wide receiver. What is Julian Edelman’s role going to be? Is he going to be held back in games the rest of the year like he has in the early going? What exactly is N’Keal Harry? Can Damiere Byrd contribute any more given the number of snaps he’s received, and lastly, what is Gunner Olszewski’s role going to be? All these questions need to be answered soon so the Patriots can figure out if they need to really pursue a wide receiver at the trade deadline.
Fun facts
1. In the regular season since 2001 at home, Bill Belichick is 36-1 against first or second-year quarterbacks.
2. With 200 yards rushing this week, New England would join the 1976 and 1978 teams as the only Patriots squads to surpass 200 yards rushing in three consecutive home games.
3. The Patriots are doing a better job in short yardage than in the past, as they have converted all six of their third or fourth-and-1 situations this year.
4. Damien Harris had 17 carries against the Chiefs. The most carries Sony Michel has this year is 10.
5. In the four games this season, Denver has eight turnovers, which are tied for fifth-most in the league even though they have played one fewer game than most teams.
Prediction
Patriots 27, Broncos 14
This game may be close at the beginning, but expect the Patriots to really turn it on and pull away in the second half. Given the layoff and limited practice time, don’t be surprised to see the offense punt often, but as the game gets going we like Newton and Co. to pick it up. Also look for the defense to have a big day and force multiple turnovers.