The New England Patriots are heavily-favored over the Denver Broncos in their 2011 AFC Divisional Playoffs game on Saturday night, but history is squarely on the side of the Broncos. In regular season play, the Broncos are 25-17 against the Patriots and have won both times the two teams have met in the playoffs.
Broncos Vs. Patriots, NFL Playoffs 2012: Broncos 2-0 Vs. Patriots In Playoffs
Both of the Broncos playoff wins over the Patriots have come in the Divisional Playoffs round. In 1986 Playoffs, Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway, who is now the team's President, hit Vance Johnson for a 48-yard touchdown in the third quarter of a 22-17 win at Mile High Stadium. The two teams met again at Invesco Field in the 2005 AFC Playoffs, with the Broncos defense forcing five turnovers, including two interceptions of Tom Brady, for a 27-13 win.
The last time the Broncos beat the Patriots in the regular season -- October 11, 2009 -- Josh McDaniels was their head coach. McDaniels rejoined the Patriots coaching staff this week and though he drafted Tim Tebow and Demaryius Thomas, John Bena of Mile High Report doesn't think McDaniels poses much of a threat to the Broncos.
For more on the two teams, check out Denver Broncos blog Mile High Report and New England Patriots blog Pats Pulpit. For more coverage of the NFL Playoffs, head over toSB Nation’s NFL news hub.
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