DENVER — This was the game we circled on the calendar when the NFL schedule was released last spring. It was supposed to be Brady-Manning XVII, and less than a month ago there was still a possibility that it might feature the first meeting of 10-0 teams in league history.
Instead, we’re getting Brady-Osweiler I, which lacks a certain gravitas. Oh, and the Broncos have lost two of their last three, and had to work hard to earn a 2-point win over the Chicago Bears last week.
So, we’ll put the Russell-Chamberlain, Ali-Frazier comparisons on the shelf for the weekend. We may have seen the last of Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning.
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Still, Sunday’s prime-time Patriots at Broncos joust promises to be one of the premier games on the NFL calendar. There’s still a lot of history on the line — even without Mr. Chicken-Parm-You-Taste-So-Good.
The Patriots are 10-0. They need a win in Denver to keep pace with the Carolina Panthers and preserve a shot at the second 16-0 season in NFL history. A glance at the Patriots’ schedule over the final five weeks makes it abundantly clear that this is New England’s toughest game the rest of the way. With Philadelphia, Houston, Tennessee, the Jets, and Miami left on the schedule, the Patriots could make a serious run at 16-0, just as they did eight years ago when they were motivated by the Spygate scandal. This year, the Patriots are driven by fallout from Deflategate stupidity and they’ve been in take-no-prisoners mode since September. There haven’t been any New England routs since a rash of injuries struck Brady’s offense, but winning all 16 games remains a possibility . . . if the Patriots can earn a rare victory in Denver.
The Mile High City has not been New England’s friend. It is, instead, where the sidelines are sprinkled with Kryptonite dust. Patriot Superman Brady is an underwhelming 2-5 lifetime in Denver. He’s been on the losing side four times in five tries since that fateful night in 2003 when Bill Belichick ordered long snapper Lonie Paxton to hike the football through New England’s end zone to take a safety. Brady wound up throwing a game-clinching TD pass to David Givens in a 30-26 New England win.
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The last time the Patriots played here was the 2013 AFC Championship game, in which the Patriots were manhandled by the Broncos, 26-16. That was the sad day when former Patriot Wes Welker took out Aqib Talib (then a Patriot, now a Bronco) and Belichick said it was one of the dirtiest plays he’d ever seen.
Another painful memory was created here in a playoff game on Jan. 14, 2006, when Champ Bailey “jumped the route,” picking off a would-be Brady-to-Troy Brown touchdown pass 4 yards deep in the end zone and running 103 yards before he was miraculously caught by Patriots tight end Benjamin Watson.
“I’ll never forget that play,’’ Brown said Friday. “I think it was ‘84 Red.’ Tom had some pressure and laid it out there. He didn’t get enough on it to get it to the corner of the end zone.’’
Bailey’s interception triggered a 27-13 Broncos victory, which snapped a record run of 10 consecutive playoffs wins by the Patriots. It was Brady’s first playoff loss. Denver is also the site of a four-interception game for young Tom Brady way back in 2001.
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Why do the Patriots have so much trouble here?
“I don’t know what it is,’’ said Brown. “The Broncos usually have good teams and they play really well in that stadium. Miami was a little bit like that for us. We’d really have to focus when we were there.’’
Altitude is a handy excuse when you play poorly in Denver.
“It was something we were mindful of,’’ said Brown. “You had to watch yourself in warm-ups a little, maybe cut back a little bit. I think the coaches make a conscious effort to keep guys fresh.’’
Belichick, naturally, scoffed at the notion.
“I coached in Denver for a year,’’ the Hoodie reminded us. “I think the team that plays better will win. Look, these are professional athletes. They’re well-conditioned. Everybody is ready to go.’’
“It’s definitely a tough place to play,’’ acknowledged Rob Gronkowski. “You know their fans are going to be electric come Sunday night.’’
Denver features a ferocious defense, but the Patriots have a huge advantage at quarterback and on the sideline.
Brock Osweiler will be making his second career start. He was AFC Offensive Player of the Week when he had zero turnovers against the Bears. Belichick traditionally devours inexperienced quarterbacks.
“I’m not going against Bill Belichick on Sunday,’’ said Osweiler.
Yes, he is. And that goes double for Denver coach Gary Kubiak. The Broncos boss falls into the large category of coaches who lose their good sense when they see the Hoodie across the field.
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It was cold, snowy, and icy in the greater Denver area for most of the week. Local forecasters are projecting freezing temperatures and snow showers during Sunday’s game. Despite this, Kubiak had the Broncos practicing inside their new fieldhouse all week. He said his primary concern was his players’ safety.
Belichick wouldn’t have done that. He’d have used it to an advantage. He’d have toughened up his team with some time in the elements.
So once again the game hasn’t even started and it feels like the Patriots have an early lead. Even in their Mile High House of Horrors.
Dan Shaughnessy is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at dshaughnessy@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @Dan_Shaughnessy.