Behind the record-setting exploits of quarterback Peyton Manning, the Denver Broncos are easily the best team in the NFL this season. Normally that’s a position held by Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, who have struggled at times this season but are still sitting pretty with a 7-3 record. Tonight the two Hall of Fame quarterbacks get to strut their stuff against one another in an incredible NBC Sunday Night Football showdown. With the Broncos proved to be human after their loss to the Colts earlier this season, the Patriots have every right to be optimistic going into their 8:30 EST / 5:30 PST home game in Foxborough. If you can’t catch the All-Pro quarterback battle on NBC, you can watch Broncos vs Patriots online free using one of several different methods.
This is one of those games that is circled the day the NFL schedule is released, and it’s all because of the quarterbacks. Yes, it takes more than one man to win a game, and the Denver Broncos offensive line has been outstanding this season in their protection of Peyton Manning. Yes, Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker is returning to Gillette Stadium for the first time since he signed with the Broncos this past off season. Those are all good stories and great reasons to watch Sunday Night Football tonight. But really, the reason this game was circled by just about everyone was Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady. It’s just that simple.
Peyton Manning has put up not just career numbers, but NFL-record-breaking numbers. Through 11 weeks, the Broncos quarterback has completed 286 of his 409 passes, resulting in 3,572 yards and a staggering 34 touchdowns. He’s been quite efficient while piling up those statistics as well, earning the NFL’s top quarterback ranking according to ESPN’s QBR chart and leading the Broncos to the league’s top-rated passing game and top overall offense.
But when you watch Broncos vs Patriots online free, Tom Brady will surely be waiting to steal some of Manning’s limelight in a Sunday Night Football showdown on his home field. Brady’s numbers have been respectable this season — 223-380 for 2,552 yards and 14 touchdowns — but he’s been plagued by a short-staffed receiving corps and has managed only the 16th-ranked QBR through 10 games. One of the reasons is that he’s been without his favorite target this season, tight end Wes Welker, who signed with the Broncos and left the Patriots working with a young batch of receivers. But Peyton Manning has also been without Welker for most of the season, as the star tight end only recently returned from injury but is confirmed to be playing in tonight’s game.
Broncos Jack Del Rio will surely draw up a specific game plan to keep Brady in check at home, as he’s not only the Broncos’ interim head coach but also still calling the defense on game day. His double-dipping has been successful since taking over the reins. The past three games have been the best for the Broncos’ defense after a rough start to the season in pass defense. But the past three games are also the first Wesley Woodyard and Von Miller have played at the same time. The Broncos know they have to get some pressure in the middle of the field against Brady and get the receivers out of their routes if they can.
The Patriots defense, meanwhile, will have it hands full against Peyton Manning and the Broncos’ solid offensive line. And that’s before considering their injury issues. Three of the Patriots’ top cornerbacks, Aqib Talib, Alfonzo Dennard and Kyle Arrington, are dealing with injuries that may actually make them unavailable for tonight’s game, and starting safety Steve Gregory won’t be playing at 100% after missing Monday’s game with a broken thumb and just returning to practice on Wednesday. When going up against a quarterback like the Broncos’ Peyton Manning, it could be disastrous to be short in the secondary.
What that means for NFL fans, however, is that we could all be in for a shootout tonight. You can watch Broncos vs Patriots online free on DirecTV’s website if you have the NFL Sunday Ticket with MAX Package. The package requires a subscription, but anyone who has one can watch the live streaming version free of any game, including today’s 8:30 EST / 5:30 PST NFL game between the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots. Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady is just too good to pass up in tonight’s NBC Sunday Night Football. Do not miss it.
