We have the final showdown between Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. However, at this point it’s like Lennox Lewis pummeling a washed up Mike Tyson into submission. The Broncos have the defense to keep them from being blown out, but they have a quarterback that can give up points on offense. This game should be interesting. That’s if you enjoy watching old people slip on ice and struggle to stand back up while young whipper snappers point and laugh disrespectfully.

New England Patriots @ Denver Broncos
Sunday, January 24, 2016 3:05 pm CBS

Quarterbacks
I could go on and on about how Tom Brady is still playing like an MVP and how my four-year-old daughter has a stronger arm than Manning. However, I’ve done enough of that starting last November, so I’m going to leave you with one simple stat to make my point. This season in Denver, Brady has thrown three touchdowns. Manning has thrown one. Okay, one more. Manning has thrown more interceptions in his last 10 games (he played in 10 games this season, two were not full games) as Brady has in his last 32 games. This one isn’t close and I will leave the embarrassing stats there.
Edge: Patriots

Running Backs
There is not an impressive crew of running backs on either side of this game. Surely the Broncos will attempt to run more, but that doesn’t mean they have better backs. C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman are a bit better than Steven Jackson and Brandon Bolden on most days. However, the X-factor here is James White. While this is a bit tricky because he’s more of a pass-catcher, he’s still a running back, and I believe he’ll be the biggest factor at RB in this game and is more impactful than any of these other mediocre backs. No disrespect to Jackson though, it would be nice to see him finally get some of the success he deserves.
Edge: Patriots

Pass-Catchers
The Pats have a slight edge with their wideouts and tight ends. Demaryius Thomas’s numbers were strong as usual this year, nonetheless, he also dropped a ton of passes. He was fifth-worst in the league with nine drops and many of them were at the worst possible times. Emmanuel Sanders has been much more clutch and his numbers are comparable. Outside of those two studs, all their wideouts and tight ends have been pretty terrible. The Patriots on the other hand have Julian Edelman who will likely have the largest impact on the game of any receiver and Rob Gronkowski, who may be the greatest mismatch of all time. Also, the remainder of the Pats supporting cast is clearly better. Danny Amendola is way better than any of the Broncos’ other lackluster receivers or over the hill tight ends. Even Brandon LaFell and Keshawn Martin bring more to the table than Vernon Davis or whatever other Bronco you want to throw out there.
Edge: Patriots

Defense
This is easy, but it’s tough. The Broncos clearly have the better defense. They may very well be the best defense in the league and have a dominant duo of cornerbacks with Aqib Talib and Chris Harris. The Patriots are stocked with talent and playmakers on all levels of the ball as well, though. While the Broncos’ defense is better, the Broncos’ offense may be more overmatched than the Patriots. Brady is going to have his way, because that’s what he does in the playoffs. On the other hand, the likes of Chandler Jones, Rob Ninkovich and Jamie Collins will wreak havoc up front, while Malcom Butler, Logan Ryan and Devin McCourtey will terrorize from the secondary. Still, the Broncos’ D is better.
Edge: Broncos

Final Score
New England: 28
Denver: 12

Best Play
Patriots: Rob Gronkowski
Broncos: Emmanuel Sanders

Sleeper
Keshawn Martin