Broncos could hand Belichick his worst season
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 6½-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.”