Patriots at Broncos: 3 things to watch; anniversary Top 10

THREE THINGS TO WATCH

1. Don't give Brady a bunch of time

The Broncos have to disrupt New England quarterback Tom Brady. If he can sit in the pocket with time to throw, he’ll have a big game. The Jets blitzed Brady on most plays and held New England to nine points, and the Broncos could do the same.

2. Understudies get the call

Both teams have injured starting running backs, but depth they trust. New England is without Fred Taylor and the Broncos will likely play without Correll Buckhalter. How the backups rise to the occasion could be a huge factor for either team.

3. Better to receive than give 

Can the Patriots make Kyle Orton turn the ball over? No other team has done it. The Broncos are the only team in the NFL that hasn’t thrown an interception. New England doesn’t have a lot of playmakers in the secondary but always has a smart and confusing plan.

50TH ANNIVERSARY TOP 10 - MOST EXCITING PLAYOFF GAMES

10. 2005 AFC Divisional Playoff

Denver 27, New England 13. Although the Broncos led by as many as 18 points, one great play turned the game: A 100-yard interception return by Champ Bailey that led to a Broncos’ touchdown in the third quarter.

9. 1989 AFC Divisional Playoff

Denver 24, Pittsburgh 23. The Broncos trailed by 10 points on two occasions, but Melvin Bratton scored in the fourth quarter to give Denver a thrilling win.

8. 1997 AFC Championship Game

Denver 24, Pittsburgh 21. Bill Romanowski taunted Kordell Stewart, Howard Griffith had a great one-handed touchdown catch, and Shannon Sharpe caught a huge third-down pass to put the Broncos in the Super Bowl.

7. 1996 AFC Divisional Playoff

Jacksonville 30, Denver 27. A crushing loss for the Broncos, but a great game. Mark Brunell had the performance of a lifetime for Jacksonville.

6. 1997 AFC Divisional Playoff

Denver 14, Kansas City 10. Mike Shanahan loved to say this was the most physical game he had seen. Darrien Gordon knocked down Kansas City’s final pass to the end zone to seal it.

5. 1987 AFC Championship Game

Denver 38, Cleveland 33. The 71 points, including six combined touchdown passes by the quarterbacks, all were overshadowed by “The Fumble.”

4. 1991 AFC Divisional Playoff

Denver 26, Houston 24. One of John Elway’s great escapes. Denver made a huge comeback, including two fourth-down conversions on the final game-winning drive.

3. 1977 AFC Championship Game

Denver 20, Oakland 17. The Broncos got a couple of touchdown catches from Haven Moses and held on late in a game that brought Broncomania to new heights.

2. 1986 AFC Championship Game.

Denver 23, Cleveland 20, OT. “The Drive.” Enough said.

1. Super Bowl XXXII

Denver 31, Green Bay 24. No need to go through the highlights, because Broncos fans know them by heart. John Mobley’s fourth-down deflection still brings a smile to Coloradans’ faces.