Patriots, Broncos were built for this

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 receivers, offensive linemen and running backs.

Often, teams with those storylines 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.

Sunday’s AFC title game is being billed as “Manning vs. Brady: Part17,” 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,” 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 fourtime All-Pro Darrelle Revis, but he plays for the Jets now. It’s like that at every position — except QB.

This season, the Patriots have started the same five offensive linemen in consecutive games a grand total of once. Elsewhere on the offence, top receiver Julian Edelman missed seven games. Danny Amendola and AllPro 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 centre, the Patriots rarely skip a beat.

The Broncos, meanwhile, were long regarded as one of the top franchises in the NFL until a lull that briefly turned them into a laughingstock in the late 2000s. The two main figures through that drama were Tim Tebow and Josh McDaniels, who now works as Belichick’s offensive co-ordinator.

John Elway returned, in the front office, and restored order. Now, they are a win away from the Super Bowl.