Week 5 Pick: Most Interesting Game

As far as games with scintillating storylines go, there was really only one that popped out at me on the Week 5 schedule, and that is:

New England Patriots @ Denver Broncos

Over/Under: 41
Line: Patriots by 3 1/2

My Thoughts:
How much better does a story get (outside of Favre vs. teh Packers)? Josh McDaniels, New England's wunderkind prodigal son, facing his old hoodie-clad Yoda. A Denver team that was in complete disarray a month ago, sitting at 4-0 atop their division. A Patriots team that features McDaniels' former star quarterback coming back from injury. Drama and intrigue abound in this match up, so watch closely.

The off the field intrigue is really, to me, all this game has going for it. I don't expect a hyper-competitive outing here. The Broncos are good, far better than anyone expected, but they are not Patriots good. Denver's defense is much better that it was last year, but is simply not equipped to stop Brady's offense. Champ Bailey is the second-best cover corner in the league (third if you buy the Darrelle Revis hype), and should effectively take Randy Moss out of the game. Wes Welker is the deciding factor here, and he is primed for a big performance.

The Broncos' linebackers are a reasonably fast, athletic group, and Elvis Dumervil has been reinvented as a pass rush specialist. But Wes Welker tearing across the middle of the field will be a nightmare for the poor Broncos. Denver's offense, aside from Brandon Marshall lacks any real pop. Kyle Orton is serviceable at best, and will not be able to carry his team against a very good New England defense. The Pats will win this one cleanly, but not by a ton.

Prediction:
Patriots 24
Broncos 17

~Freeze