AFC Divisional Playoffs 2012, Broncos Vs. Patriots: SI’s Peter King Thinks Patriots Offense Will Be Too Much

The Denver Broncos will travel to face the New England Patriots on Saturday night in the 2012 AFC Divisional round of the playoffs, in a rematch of a regular season meeting. In the first meeting, the Patriots offense exploded for 20 points right before halftime to take a lead and hold it to win 41-23. The Broncos defense gave up 451 total yards to Patriots and were killed by the Patriots other tight end, Aaron Hernandez, to the tune of 9 catches for 129 yards and a touchdown. As Peter King of SI.com points out, it's not just Rob Gronkowski teams should worry about at tight end.

The Broncos don't need to worry about getting Gronked here. They have to worry about getting killed by both tight ends. Aaron Hernandez had nine catches the first time these teams played this year, a month ago in Denver, proving Rob Gronkowski isn't the only one who can obliterate a defense among New England's tight ends. Gronkowski and Hernandez combined for 169 catches this season, and that's going to be the most difficult single factor for Denver to address here. I don't see enough quality cover men to cover those two plus Wes Welker, and Brady will feast.