Broncos, Patriots stay in title hunt despite plenty of injuries

Associated Press

DENVER

One team went without the services of its Hall of Fame-bound quarterback for more than a third of the season, and when he was available, he was a shell of his former self.

The other had its quarterback all season but faced week after week of injuries to his pass catchers, offensive linemen and running backs.

Often, teams with those story lines are studying the draft board this time of year. But these are the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots — two franchises built to overcome problems big and small. And once again, they find themselves on the verge of the Super Bowl.

Today’s AFC title game is being billed as “Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady, Part 17,” and many believe it could be the last game between the two best quarterbacks of their generation.

It’s also a matchup of two franchises that make a habit of playing in January because of the way they’re built and run. New England is seeking its ninth AFC title; nobody has won more. Denver is going for No. 8, which would put the Broncos in a tie with the Patriots and Steelers.

The secret to New England’s success?

“Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. It’s Tom Brady and Bill Belichick,” said Aqib Talib of the Broncos, who played cornerback for the Patriots two years ago when these teams last met for the AFC title.

Talib left as a free agent and signed with Denver after that season. Nobody was surprised. Cornerbacks, even outstanding ones, are as disposable as dish towels in New England. Last year, the Patriots won with four-time All-Pro Darrelle Revis, but he plays for the Jets now. It’s like that at pretty much every position — except one.

“They’re moving guys around. They still have the same kind of guy,” Broncos offensive coordinator Rick Dennison said. “Whether they develop them, go find them, or whatever. It seems like ‘50’ [defensive end Rob Ninkovich] has been around there for 15 years. Or a guy just like him.”

For the record, Ninkovich has been there since 2009, which makes him a long-timer by Patriots standards. They do not stick with players for loyalty’s sake, or because of what they did in the past. Among those who have left for other teams after helping the Patriots to the Super Bowl: Randy Moss, Ty Law, Wes Welker, Asante Samuel, Adam Vinatieri. It’s a longer list than that.

This season, the Patriots have started the same five offensive linemen in consecutive games a grand total of once. Elsewhere on the offense, top receiver Julian Edelman missed seven games. Danny Amendola and All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski both missed time. Running back has been a carousel, most recently occupied by veteran Steven Jackson, who didn’t sign with New England until Dec. 22.

But so long as No. 12 is lining up under center, the Patriots rarely skip a beat.

“No quarterback has been able to throw the ball over 50 times a game and win, and he’s done that consistently,” said Broncos defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, who has held six jobs for six different teams since 2000, the year Belichick was hired in New England.