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Broncos at Patriots: Five keys

By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published October 18, 2008 at 9 p.m.

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    Click the play button to listen. Info:Did you think Bronco Dean was just a cartoon character in The Broncs Zoo? Well, maybe he is . . . in any case, he offers his take on the Broncos-Patriots game in his pregame phone call.
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The Patriots went 16-0 during the regular season last year, but they've already lost MVP quarterback Tom Brady and are 3-2 this season. But that doesn't mean the Broncos can take it easy on Monday night against the defending AFC champions. Here's a look at the five keys to the game.

No. 1: Get past the script. The Broncos scored on their first drive against the Jaguars last week working off their usual 15-play script to open a game. After that, though, it went fumble, interception, fumble, lost on downs and a punt for the remainder of the first half. They have to do a little more than that this time.

No. 2: Find the heat. Look, defenses sack Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel, defenses hit Cassel. And if the Broncos can't do either, it will say more about their pass rush than Cassel.

No. 3: On your toes. Bill Belichick will have a defensive surprise — something he hasn't shown this season — waiting for quarterback Jay Cutler. Cutler has to process the information, make the right decisions and move on.

No. 4: Work the 2s and 3s. Belichick also likes to take away what an offense likes to do the most. He counts on teams not being able to adjust or being stubborn enough to keep playing right into the teeth of his defense. The "other guys" have to have a role in this one.

No. 5: Ring the bell. It's old school time. A prime-time game played in the chilled air of a New England fall. The Broncos, on the road, have to slug it out in this one, especially on defense. Heading into the bye at 4-3 would slide them back toward the Chargers in the divisional race.