Broncos have long been Bill Belichick’s bugaboo
DENVER — Bill Belichick doesn't have a losing record against anybody during his 24 seasons with New England. That could change Sunday night when the Patriots visit the Mile High City for what could be a slog through the snow.
The Denver Broncos (7-7) are 6 1/2-point favorites, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, the most they've been favored by all season as they try to stay alive in the AFC playoff race.
The Patriots (3-11) are pinballing through their worst year since Belichick's inaugural season in 2000.
Belichick has a winning record against every team save for three — the Broncos (10-10), Giants (4-4) and Packers (3-3) — during his tenure in New England, which could be coming to an end in three weeks.
The Broncos already are the only team to beat Belichick's Patriots three times in the playoffs, including twice in AFC championships pitting Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.
A Broncos victory on Christmas Eve would keep alive their chances of ending an eight-year playoff drought and hand Belichick the first 12-loss season of his 29-year coaching career.
Sean Payton, who famously dressed as Belichick and imitated his voice as a motivational ploy before a huge win over the Patriots in the New Orleans Saints' Super Bowl-winning 2009 season, is the ninth Broncos coach during Belichick's time in New England.
“They're a well-balanced team,” Belichick said of the Broncos. “Obviously, you see Sean's mark on the team. Sean, ton of respect for him, what he's done for his career, just the way he coaches, the way he prepares and just the football coach that he is. I think Sean does a great job.”
The respect is mutual.
“They're always extremely well coached and prepared,” said Payton, who got to know Belichick when the two coached against each other in the Pro Bowl following the 2006 season.
“They're going to have a way to win the game,” Payton said. “That's evident when you watch them on tape . ... He's just really good at taking away some things that you want to do or making you play left-handed, if you will. It's always something different.”
Despite averaging a league-low 13.3 points a game, the Patriots are no pushover, Payton suggested.
Their stout run defense is
an announced crowd of 113. Thank you for your interest in Pittsburgh women's basketball.
For the second straight week, the only Top 25 losses came against other ranked opponents (UCLA over Ohio State, Louisville over Washington) so don't expect much movement when the Week 7 Associated Press poll is released Monday at noon. The action picks up for real Saturday, Dec. 30, with three matchups within the top 12 — Utah at Colorado, USC at UCLA, and Baylor at Texas. UConn returns to action Dec. 31 when it hosts unbeaten Big East foe Marquette at the XL Center.
Carl Adamec’s AP Top 25 women’s basketball ballot
1. South Carolina (11-0): The Gamecocks rolled past Bowling Green and their former assistant coach Fred Chmiel.
2. UCLA (11-0): The Bruins held off Ohio State for a nice road win and hosts USC for its final Pac-12 opener Dec. 30.
3. North Carolina State (12-0): The Wolfpack open Atlantic Coast Conference play by hosting Virginia Dec. 30.
4. Iowa (12-1): Caitlin Clark had 35 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists for her 13th triple-double in a rout of Loyola-Chicago in Iowa City.
5. Kansas State (12-1): The Wildcats face Big 12 newcomer Cincinnati for their conference opener on Dec. 30.
6. Texas (12-0): Before Baylor comes to Austin on Dec. 30, the Longhorns welcome Jacksonville State Wednesday.
7. Baylor (11-0):
The biggest
test of the season is next for the Bears with their trip to Austin on Dec. 30.
8. Colorado (10-1): The Buffs spotted Northern Colorado the first 14 points before bouncing back for a 22point win in their first game in 16 days Thursday. Their Pac-12 opener against Utah is next on Dec. 30.
9. LSU (12-1): One more nonconference cupcake with Jacksonville — Artis Gilmore won't be walking through the door for the Dolphins — before the Tigers begin SEC action on Jan. 4 against Missouri in Baton Rouge.
10. USC (10-0): Finally, a test for the Trojans against UCLA at Pauley Pavilion Dec. 30.
11. Utah (10-2): The Utes' Pac-12 opener with Colorado will be a Big 12 game a year from now.
12. Stanford (10-1): The Cardinal start Pac-12 play with rival Cal-Berkeley Friday.
13. Indiana (10-1): The Hoosiers make it nine wins in a row Friday as they beat
Bowling Green.
14. Ohio State (10-2): The Buckeyes rebound from their loss to UCLA by beating Belmont Friday as they held their coach Kevin McGuff 's daughter Kilyn to four points on 2-for-10 shooting.
15. Notre Dame (9-1): Freshman Hannah Hidalgo had 26 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in a win over Western Michigan Thursday. A trip to Syracuse on Dec. 31 begins the Irish's ACC schedule.
16. UConn (9-3): The Huskies will make it 572 consecutive weeks in the Top 25 after wins over Butler and Toronto Metropolitan. Guard Ashlynn Shade was named Big East Freshman of the Week.
17. Marquette (12-0): The Golden Eagles will take a perfect record into their game against UConn at the XL Center Dec. 31.
18. Virginia Tech (9-2): Unfortunately for Pittsburgh, there is a contract with the ACC for it to visit the Hokies on Dec. 31.
19. Louisville (11-2): The Cardinals bounce back from their loss to UConn to post a Top 25-win over Washington Wednesday.
21. Gonzaga (13-2): Two wins for the Zags this week over Arizona and New Mexico.
21. Creighton (9-2): The Bluejays will look to even their Big East record at 1-1 when they take on St. John's Dec. 30.
22. Florida State (8-3): The Seminoles take on Georgia Tech in their ACC opener Friday.
23. West Virginia (9-0): The Mountaineers start Big 12 play Dec. 30 at Kansas.
24. Washington (11-1): The unbeaten west-coast Huskies put up a fight before suffering their first loss at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville Wednesday.
25. Minnesota (11-1): The Gophers visit Iowa Dec. 30 with an opportunity to make a statement to the AP voting panel.
Dropping out from Adamec’s Week 6 ballot:
None.