Patriots vs. Broncos Preview: White Christmas (Eve)?!

Late Christmas Eve the Denver Broncos will be fighting for a playoff spot while the New England Patriots will simply be playing out the string.

In Week 16, the New England Patriots travel west to play the motivated Denver Broncos on Christmas eve in an AFC matchup. Forecast for Denver Sunday night calls for snow and a low temperatures in the 20s.

Denver has overcome a 1-5 start to even its record at 7-7 and remain in the hunt for a spot in the postseason. The 3-11 Patriots were eliminated from the playoffs two weeks ago, the earliest New England has been out of contention in Belichick's time as head coach.

In order to make the postseason, the Broncos must win their three remaining games. If quarterback Russell Wilson and the Broncos lose, their playoff chances dwindle to under five percent. 

Both teams are fresh off losses. The Denver defense looked abysmal in a shocking 42-17 loss to the Detroit Lions. New England suffered a 27-17 defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs last Sunday at Gillette Stadium.

Denver's defense could face Mac Jones, but more likely Bailey Zappe at quarterback. After starting 11 games this season, Jones was displaced by Zappe prior to the team’s Week 12 matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers — a game which they lost 6-0. 

Through those 11 games, Jones completed 224 passes for 2,120 yards, with 10 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. In seven appearances this season, Zappe has made three starts, while compiling 719 yards on 123 attempts for four touchdowns and four interceptions.

As for changes looming in New England ...

“Nothing’s changed,” Coach Bill Belichick said Monday on WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show.” “We’ve got Denver this week, and we’ll do all we can to get the team ready to play well against Denver.

“I think any questions you have for Mr. Kraft, you should ask Mr. Kraft,” Belichick said.

Consensus Choice: 2024 Mock Drafts Agree on Patriots' Pick?

The Pats currently occupy the last place slot in both the AFC East and the conference, overall. In order to snag the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, New England would need to lose out and have the Carolina Panthers win another game.

RECORDS: New England Patriots (3-11) at Denver Broncos (7-7)

ODDS: New England is a 6.5-point underdog vs. the Broncos

GAME TIME: Sunday, December 24th, 2023 at 8:15 p.m. ET

LOCATION: Empower Field at Mile High - Denver, Colorado

TV/RADIO: NFL Network, 98.5 FM THE SPORTS HUB

THE FINAL WORD: Bill O’Brien on the future of the Patriots' quarterback position:

“I think everybody’s gotta be ready to play,” O’Brien told reporters via video conference. “Especially in the situation that we’re in. I really do. I think that everybody has to be ready to go. Anybody that’s on the 53-man roster really has to go out on the practice field and practice well and earn a shot to play.”

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