Ultimate Fan Guide ‘Enemy Edition’: Broncos basically have zero chance

Sooooo...some of you may recall that I unfortunately have a friend who is a Patriots fan (kidding, kidding). And he has often joined us over here at Mile High Report for an “enemy edition” of the Ultimate Fan Guide when the Broncos have played the Pats. It’s been a while since they’ve played...and it’s been too long since the Broncos have had a team worthy of competing against the Patriots, so we’ve missed out on this edition for a few years.

But “mike grim” is back today to share some good-hearted snark and pretend like his team is somehow superior with their six Lombardis. Whatever. They still have a hard time playing in Mile High and someday (hopefully soon) that will be the case again.

But in the meantime, we have an injury-riddled Broncos team taking on a much more Covid-less Patriots team in Foxborough for the early game - not the greatest odds for the Broncos (though our own Ultimate Fan did pick the away team for an upset!)

Who cares, though? It’s Sunday in October, football is being played, and I’m trading a little trash talk with my good friend while throwing in as many Peyton Manning gifs as possible. Let’s do this.

Week 6: Broncos at Patriots

MHR - Four Patriots players and a Broncos coach tested positive for Covid-19 in the last two days. Is this a game that should be played Sunday?

mike grim: I’d say play with whomever is healthy. At this rate, the entire league will become infected by Christmas and they’ll all be OK for the postseason.
docllv: great, that doesn’t really help the Broncos now, does it?

MHR - Is there any scenario besides all of the Pats testing positive for Covid, that the Broncos can win this?

mike grim: Sure. Cam could catch a ride with Melvin Gordon and we would have to start Brian Hoyer.
docllv: Or he could breathe on him and give him strep throat???

MHR - Assuming there really isn’t, what is a weakness of this NE team that Denver could possibly take advantage of?

mike grim: Depth on the Patriots OL is thin.
docllv: Not good enough. We own the “thin O-line” excuse.

MHR - Let me take you back to this enemy edition in January 2016, AFCCG, where you said, “I am extremely happy to see what may be the final installment in this cherished rivalry. There isn’t a QB out there that I would want more leading my team than Peyton Manning if TB12 weren’t available. #18 stands without peer.” So be honest, you miss the old Manning-Brady rivalry where Brady constantly loses to the Broncos, don’t you?

mike grim: No.
docllv: hahahahahahahahahahahaha
mike grim: I do miss the yearly head-to-head matchups. But in order for that to happen, Denver needs to win the West. You guys aren’t doing your job.
docllv: No kidding.

MHR - Which cornerback is most likely to get torched by Jerry Jeudy today?

mike grim: Malcolm Butler. Oops. He’s not here any longer. Nobody.
docllv: ouch. Well, we’ll see. I probably should have asked if you have any receivers that can handle our much-improved secondary. Perhaps your favorite receiver will hold onto the ball this week.

MHR - Does it feel odd rooting for Cam Newton to beat your rivals...or are you so enthralled with his weekly wardrobe that it doesn’t matter?

mike grim: I root for the laundry. I rooted for Joe Kapp in 1970. I can root for anyone.
docllv: Being a Patriots fan, and having therefore sold your soul to the devil, I guess that’s true.

MHR - I think I asked a version of this last time, but...if BB suddenly couldn’t be on the sidelines Sunday (no Covid hexes here) how would that affect the outcome of this game?

mike grim: It wouldn’t. His coaching genius is imparted every day. There’s residual genius enough to beat this Broncos team.
docllv: dammit. I’m not going to argue that one.

MHR - All kidding aside, I respect Belichick, and it turns out he got a lot of his defensive knowledge from one of our favorite past coaches - the mastermind of the Orange Crush defense, JoeCollier. In your opinion, what is Hoodie’s best trait as a coach?

mike grim: Single-mindedness.
docllv: I’ll give you that. I still just love his news conferences the best.

MHR - No kidding aside, we still can’t stand McHoodie over here. Is Josh ever going to leave or is he just waiting to take BBs place?

mike grim: Probably leaves now that Brady is gone. Eventually someone will make him an offer to leave. Not Indy, however.
docllv: Yeah, he ain’t coming (back) to Denver either.

MHR - What has surprised you the most about your team this season?

mike grim: The lack of creativity on the last play of the game vs. Seattle where Cam got shutdown in the backfield.
docllv: For me, it’s the lack of a true temper tantrum from Cam. I’m still hoping that happens today after Shelby Harris bats down three of his passes.

Predictions

Stats for Cam? 246 yds passing. 57 rushing. 2 passing TDs and 1 rushing TD.

Stats for each Patriot RB? Harris 65, White 15 rushing and 82 receiving.

Number of yards receiving/TDs for each receiver? Edelman 91/1. Harry 70/1.

Longest FG for...who’s your kicker again? Folk and 37 yards.

Number of sacks to the Broncos’ QB? 3

Number of sacks to the Patriots’ QB? 1

Patriots player with the most tackles? Bentley.

Who gets the most sacks? Winovich

How many INTs/FF/FR for the Patriots D? 2/1/1

How many penalties will BB complain about? 1

Final Score? NE 24 Den 16

The Favorites

Favorite Broncos-Patriots game in 2015-16 season? Trick question. I cannot remember that season.

Team you hate to lose to the most? Ravens

Team you love to beat? Jets

Favorite SB win? LI, Falcons

Favorite game looking forward to this season? Jets games

Toughest game left on the schedule? Ravens

Favorite Patriots player on the current roster? Julian Edelman

Favorite football player of all time? Mack Herron

Favorite new guy/rookie on your team? Cam, of course

Superstitions on game day? Pats SB t-shirt under sweatshirt. If losing in second half, I put on Jerrod Mayo jersey.

Favorite sports cliche? “Taking it one game at a time”

Favorite sports movie? Fever Pitch.

Best sports GIF? Come on...this one, of course: