LOCAL SHOTS
- Chris Gasper speculates on Jay Cutler salivating over his possible go-deep big-play opportunities tonight.
- Shalise Manza Young reports on New England defensive coordinator Dean Pees Saturday press conference, where he expanded on the reasons why there shouldn’t be panic over the entire Patriots defense.
- Young catches up with ex-Patriot Daniel Graham returning as a Bronco to Foxboro, and updates us on player injuries, noting receiver Kelly Washington and rookie CB Jonathan Wilhite both returned to practice.
- Karen Guregian focuses on Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan as Bill Belichick's true nemesis.
- Mark Farinella continues that theme, calling Shanahan a thorn in Belichick's side.
- Gasper notes Broncos tight end Tony Scheffler received high praise from coach Bill Belichick, and says we might see Patriots cornerback Lewis Sanders covering him.
- Mike Reiss spends a few minutes with Offensive lineman Oliver Ross, and talks Plus-50 punting with Chris Hanson.
- Christopher Price notes one year after the sizzling hype of the undefeated Patriots-Cowboys matchup, New England is just another 3-2 team looking to keep its head above water.
- Randy Moss Watch - Today's episode: Jim Donaldson quotes an unnamed "NFL personnel man" issue a dire warning. “His production is really dropping off. [Moss] even dropped a ball against the Chargers.” [GASP!] "Watch his body language," dares the mysterious unnamed source. "Watch his facial language." It reveals all!
- Nancy Marapese-Burrell takes us behind the scenes with the Monday Night Football production crew that will be taking charge of the show game tonight at Gillette.
PRE-GAME ANALYSIS
- Jim McBride tells us which team will have the edge, in his pre-game analysis.
- Dan Duggan gives us his Five Things to Watch tonight.
- ProFootball Weekly renders its Denver at New England game preview.
- NFL Game Center has its preview and pre-game analysis of tonight's matchup.
- John Tomase figures the two areas where the game will be won or lost. The Broncos will be looking to attack the Patriots over the top. The Patriots will try to pick the Broncos apart underneath.
LONG SHOTS
- Mike Klis (Denver Post) says tonight will be a meeting of the minds as Shanahan and Belichick match wits.
- Jeff Legwold (Rocky Mountain News) notes Patriots are in new territory after missing the perfect season.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) says Patriots have secondary concerns against Broncos.
- Doug Farrar (ESPN) doesn't pull any punches. The defense is bad, the offense is bad, the only thing special about the Patriots is on Special Teams and starting drive location. That's like a 2nd place prize in a two-person beauty contest.