The New England Patriots and Denver Broncos will play one another in Week 5, however the recreation has been moved to Monday Night time Soccer resulting from constructive COVID-19 assessments in New England.
The Patriots are coming off a Week Four loss to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, whereas the Broncos defeated the New York Jets on Thursday Night time Soccer to seize their first win of the season.
New England is 2-2 on the younger season and Denver is 1-3.
The Patriots might be favored to defeat the Broncos at house regardless of the shortage of followers being allowed at Gillette Stadium. With that being mentioned, ClutchPoints has made 4 daring predictions for the sport.
1. Cam Newton will play and dominate
Cam Newton didn’t play towards the Chiefs after contracting COVID-19. The Patriots severely missed the previous MVP, as each Brian Hoyer and Jarrett Stidham had been terrible towards the Chiefs.
Newton is reportedly asymptomatic and may be capable to return to motion on Monday if he assessments unfavourable earlier than Monday’s recreation. For what it’s price, Broncos head coach Vic Fangio totally expects Newton to play.
“Yeah, I imply we’ve been below that assumption the entire time that he can be taking part in,” Fangio mentioned, through Mike Klis of KUSA. “After which modify if he’s not. Identical to Kansas Metropolis did final week with the late constructive take a look at within the week. Identical to Pittsburgh needed to do towards us when Drew [Lock] bought harm within the second sequence of our recreation. . . . Yeah, we’re anticipating Newton taking part in however we’ll be prepared if he’s not the quarterback.”
The Patriots didn’t have any gamers take a look at constructive for COVID-19 on Friday, which means they could possibly be again of their constructing on Saturday to organize for the Broncos recreation.
Newton has thrown for 714 yards and two touchdowns on the season. He already has 4 speeding touchdowns as properly for the Patriots.
With out Von Miller, the Broncos protection isn’t elite anymore. They’re giving up 20.5 factors per recreation on the season and may’t appear to cease the passing or operating recreation.
Search for Newton to get again to his previous methods towards Denver and throw and run for just a few touchdowns in his return to the lineup.
2. Julian Edelman will bounce again after his dropped move in Week 4
Chiefs security Tyrann Mathieu picked off Stidham in Week Four after Julian Edelman dropped a straightforward move that he normally makes in his sleep. Mathieu then took the ball to the home for the pick-six, just about icing the sport for the Chiefs.
Edelman is without doubt one of the fiercest rivals within the NFL. He’s extraordinarily arduous on himself and principally expects perfection each week.
Since his mistake in Week Four was very pricey, Patriots followers shouldn’t be stunned if Edelman goes off in Week 5 towards the Broncos. The three-time champion is coping with a minor knee damage, however the Patriots anticipate him to play versus Denver on Monday Night time Soccer.
Edelman hasn’t caught a landing move but this season. Search for that to vary towards the Broncos, because the 34-year-old might be motivated to redeem himself from Week Four and show to the naysayers that he’s not washed up now that Tom Brady is gone.
3. Patriots protection will power at the least three turnovers
Whether or not it’s Drew Lock, Jeff Driskel or Brett Rypien, the Patriots are set as much as feast towards the Broncos.
Lock has solely performed in two video games this season resulting from damage and he’s being listed as questionable for the Patriots recreation. Driskel and Rypien have thrown for a mixed six interceptions already on the season. Search for that quantity to rise in Week 5 towards a hungry Patriots protection.
New England has 4 interceptions on the season and 5 fumble recoveries. They’ve at all times been one of many extra aggressive defenses within the NFL and Invoice Belichick actually smells blood with Denver coming to city because the Broncos’ quarterback play has been putrid.
Historical past has proven us that while you give Belichick even one additional day to organize for a quarterback, the Patriots normally reap the benefits of it and make life hell for the opposing QB.
So, regardless of who’s beginning for the Broncos, search for the Patriots to have a discipline day within the turnover recreation.
4. Patriots will win in blowout trend to get to 3-2
New England isn’t going to lose this recreation, even when Newton isn’t cleared to play. The Patriots have the higher head coach, offense and protection, plus a motivated workforce that’s seeking to get again within the win column after dropping to the Chiefs by 16 factors.
The dearth of fan noise will make it simpler for the Broncos to doubtlessly transfer the ball on offense towards the Patriots. Nonetheless, Belichick goes to have his workforce ready on either side of the ball to impose their will towards Denver.
In any case, historical past has proven that New England is a really tough workforce to play coming off of a loss.
