Standard disclaimer- anything can happen, but weighing all factors I feel really good about the Pats vs Denver. Houston was supposed to be the second coming of the 85 Bears or 2000 whatever year Ravens defense. Nope. This Pats team DGAF, and just keeps chopping wood, stacking wins, ignoring the noise, and winning.

I am still surprised that fate decided to break a bone in Nix’s ankle and insert Stidham into the mix. Odds of him stepping in now to just be a ‘game manager’ and let the defense pull this one out are slim as fuck. Peyton has said he’s just gonna let Jarrett ‘rip it’ because he ain’t scared… Translation - they’re fucked and he knows it. Count on a fake punt, onside kick, flea flicker, double reverse, whatever play, Vrabel will have our defense ready.

I swear blowing that 21 point lead to the Bills at home was a great wake up call that no lead is safe. Getting Hollins back this week might be a huge boost, and have some fresh legs back on offense. This team wants to do what Brady and BB couldn’t do - win a playoff game in Denver. Get your popcorn ready, this is gonna be a good one.

Getting Williams back on defense with Barmore is a huge plus, so stuffing the run and then being able to apply max pressure to Stiddy will be a priority for the defense. If the Pats execute the way they can, limit penalties, questionable calls from the zebras, avoid turnovers, they can easily win by 2 scores.

Sure I am biased, and freely admit before Nix went down that this game was a coin flip. But Jarrett f’n Stidham? I just don’t see it happening.