Week 7 Preview: Broncos at Pats

I'm just going to come right out and say it.

I GUARANTEE THE BRONCOS WILL BEAT THE PATRIOTS TONIGHT ON MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL.....

.......if all of these things happen.

That'll get everyone's attention.

1) Matt Cassel does not equal Tom Brady
I realize that is a shocking piece of information for everyone reading this article. Aside from desperately trying to sleep with Gisele and posing for every cologne company that will have him, Matt has also tried to read defenses and throw the ball down the field when lining up under center for the Patriots. Tom Brady is very good at all of those things, Matt Cassel is not. Cassel has had a tendency to hold onto the ball too long, allowing the pocket to collapse around him forcing sacks, interceptions, and hurried throws. It was no more apparent than in last week's 30-10 drubbing at the hands of the Chargers. The Bolts' D never let Cassel get comfortable when he dropped back and Cassel didn't show the ability to make adjustments on the fly. If the Broncos new 3-4-4-3 hybrid defense can get people in the backfield to disrupt Cassel's rhythm, I believe the Pats weapons on offense won't be able to successfully make plays.

2) Take advantage of injuries
While the Broncos have their own laundry list of players with the Questionable tag prior to the game (Scheff, Stoke, Selvin), the Patriots will be without their top two running backs in Lawrence Maroney and Lamont Jordan. Even though Bill Beeeelichick inexplicably hates running backs even when he has a couple of good ones, that takes away a facet of their offense. They'll rely on Kevin Faulk and Sammy Morris to take the bulk of the carries, two guys that shouldn't exactly strike fear in the hearts of the Broncos D. That being said, the Broncos D hasn't earned the right to take anyone, I will emphasize for effect, ANYONE, for granted.

3) Here's a novel idea: Don't fumble.
I know, right? What a concept. Thus far, the Broncos have been All-World in fumbling at the most inopportune times (is there really an opportune time to fumble?) B-Marsh has been the most culpable by fumbling 3 times and recovering only one. His miscue at the 5 yard line last week completely shifted momentum to the side of the Jaguars who then went on to beat the Broncos in bruising fashion. Marshall has apparently been walking around the Broncos complex this week cradling a football like a newborn child in hopes that he will once again become one with the pigskin. Don't worry that an equipment manager knocked the ball out right before Marshall spoke to the press or anything. Pssshhhtt. Details.

Shanahan's mastery of Belichick has been well documented. Both thought of as two of the brightest coaching minds in football, in head to head matchups, Shanny owns a 5-2 record against Beeelichick's Pats including the 2005 Divisional Playoff win. While the Pats have been sweeping through the rest of the NFL in Belichick's tenure (a ridiculous 102-26 record), they've been unable to figure out the Broncos.

My Prediction: Broncos 31, Pats 24