Welcome to the fourth installment of our AFC Championship Game roundtable discussions. In our first entry, we discussed Jarrett Stidham. The second entry focused on what Denver Broncos players needed to step up to take down the New England Patriots. Yesterday, the staff highlighted what concerned them the most about facing the Patriots.
For my final question, I wanted to focus on the Broncos. The team had a phenomenal regular season and has overcome a lot of adversity. They’ve embraced the underdog status and proved a lot of doubters wrong. They may be without Bo Nix, but you know they are going to give it maximum effort on Sunday.
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In my opinion, Denver has come too far to come up short this weekend. And I know a lot of Broncos Country feels the same way. That’s why I asked the staff, “Why are you confident the Broncos can defeat the Patriot and advance to Super Bowl 60?”
Tim Lynch
The Patriots run through their cake schedule in the regular season but looked average in their two playoff games against elite defenses: Chargers and Texans. If the Broncos come out with fire in their bellies on defense, this game is absolutely winnable.
Adam Malnati
It has to be the defense. They were elite all season. So much so that we as fans were spoiled in a way. When they didn’t just blow up the opposition, we were disappointed. On top of that, it has to go back to coaching. Sean Payton is a great head coach. He’s coaching for his own legacy, and this would be a huge feather in his cap. He knows it.
Ross Allen
This is a battle-tested team that has risen to just about every occasion. Unlike last year, this team knows how to grind out games and come out on top of the close ones. They’ve beaten some of the best this league has to offer. Both sides of the ball know how to play to the level of their opponents (good or bad). The Patriots simply have not been tested in this manner yet.
Sadaraine
The coaching all year has been outstanding. This team has a plan to win every game in any way necessary. Both sides of the ball scheme to create big play opportunities. The coaches have led this team all season long to rely on and believe in each other. Teams that believe in each other are dangerous in the playoffs. This Broncos team has what it takes.
Taylor Kothe
I’m going to throw a bone to home field advantage here. Neither of these franchises is any stranger to playing in the cold. Although doing that & breathing hard at 5,280 ft is a different challenge to doing it near sea level. Add in a home crowd that’s been eagerly buying in to Sean Payton’s encouragement on how & when to best discomfort opposing offenses, and it’s going to make for one very hostile environment for the Patriots to navigate.
Christopher Hart
Each and every point made so far makes a lot of sense. For me, I just think there is a certain mental toughness and moxie this year’s team has that’s hard to quantify. I’ve said it a few times—they’re just built different. As Ross mentioned, they’re a battle-tested squad that has overcome a lot.
Coach Payton has talked about the shift in culture in the locker room over the past few seasons. A lot of the players have discussed being confident in the direction the team is headed and a supreme belief in themselves and what they’re capable of as a group. That’s a powerful thing.
It will certainly go a long way toward making sure they are prepared to win Sunday’s game against New England. Both these teams are well-coached. Though I think the Broncos are poised to be the victors and prove a lot of doubters wrong. They have the right mindset approaching this one and a chip on their shoulder. I’m confident they will advance to Super Bowl 60.
How about you, Broncos Country? What makes you confident the Broncos can defeat the Patriots and punch their ticket to Super Bowl 60? Sound off in the comments section and let me know what you think.
