Denver Broncos Opponent Preview: New England Patriots

After their long road trip, the Denver Broncos return home to face perhaps their biggest rivals outside the division, the New England Patriots.

The Denver Broncos face a familiar foe in Week 10. When you think of the AFC, these two teams have been battling it out for what seems to be a long time. In fact, both of these teams won the last three Super Bowls. They continue their rivalry on Sunday Night Football.

Once the road trip ends, the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots come to town. This will be the last time we see the Patriots in Denver for a long time. Unless both teams reach the playoffs and the Broncos have home field.

Over the last few seasons, the Denver Broncos have cringed at the sight of the New England Patriots. In the last meeting, the Broncos defense did their job to help win the game. But the offense could only muster three points.

You would think that a team would remain the same or lose some key players in free agency. But it just seemed that the Patriots got better this offseason. And trust me, it hurts to say that. If the Denver Broncos are going to have any hope of getting to Super Bowl 52, they need to get past the New England Patriots.

This is an improved team. Unless they fall out of sync or get bit by the injury bug, they will be a strong force in the AFC.

How good did the New England Patriots get this offseason? Let us take a look.

2017 NFL Draft:

Derek Rivers, Edge Rusher, Youngstown State

Antonio Garcia, Offensive Tackle, Troy

Deatrich Wise Jr., Defensive End, Arkansas

Connor McDermott, Offensive Tackle, UCLA

Key Signings: Brandin Cooks (WR) [Acquired via trade with New Orleans], Kony Ealy (DE) [Acquired via trade with Carolina], Dwayne Allen (TE), [Acquired via trade with Indianapolis], Stephon Gillmore (CB), David Harris (LB), Dont’a Hightower (MLB) [resigned]

Key Departures: LeGarrett Blount (RB), Chris Long (DE), Logan Ryan (CB)

Closing Remarks

While the New England Patriots did not lose a lot of key players or draft many players, they still found a way to improve. In fact, they used draft picks to help them in trades with other teams in order to obtain some key players. If any team won free agency, it was the Patriots.

This will be a tough test for the Denver Broncos. This team looks really good on paper. Perhaps the only thing that could help the Broncos is Tom Brady’s age. Father time will be catching up to him soon. He will turn 40 before the season begins.

Next: Denver Broncos Opponent Preview: Philadelphia Eagles

If there is any indication that Father time will catch up to Brady, it could be this season. But I am not holding my breath on that one. The Denver Broncos will have to play a near flawless game if they are going to win against the Patriots.

And with the playoffs coming near in Week 10, this could very well determine home field advantage. If the Broncos are in a good spot in the playoff race, this could determine it all. It should be another exciting game.