Big game

When the Patriots and Broncos take to the field in Foxboro tonight, the outcome could wind up being a very large factor in AFC post-season play. The Broncos knocked the Patriots out of the play-offs in Denver last winter, and it wouldn't be surprising to see them face each other again this season. Where that game is played could depend largely on tonight's game, a game that will have, essentially, a 3-game swing. Right now, the 2-0 Patriots are 1 game ahead of the 1-1 Broncos. If New England wins, they'll be 2 up (3-0 vs. 1-2) with the tie-breaker advantage, meaning that Denver would have to win 3 more than the Patriots over the course of the remainder of the season in order to host a head-to-head play-off game. If Denver wins, they'll be tied, and the Broncos will just need to play to the same record as the Patriots to host a head-to-head.

In other words, this looks to be a big early-season game for both teams...