NFL Analyst Predicts Patriots’ Defense Issues Historic Performance Vs. Broncos

NFL.com’s Maurice Jones-Drew predicted on Friday that Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham would shred the New England Patriots defense in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday.

The former running back’s colleague, 2002 first overall pick David Carr, went in the other direction.

For his bold prediction, the signal-caller-turned NFL analyst said that Mike Vrabel’s team would shut out Sean Payton’s crew.

“New England won’t have trouble putting up points Sunday, but the bigger story is Vrabel’s defense,” Carr said. “In two postseason games, that unit has piled up six takeaways and nine sacks while allowing a grand total of 19 points. With Denver rocking with backup QB Jarrett Stidham, the Pats D turns in its best outing of the year — and maybe ever — as it SHUTS OUT Denver on the road.”

There have only been two shutouts in the history of the AFC Championship Game.

The 1971 Miami Dolphins blanked Johnny Unitas and the Baltimore Colts, 21-0, in the AFC title game on Jan. 2, 1972. Miami’s defense accomplished the feat 11 years later, defeating the New York Jets 14-0 in the AFC Championship Game on Jan. 23, 1983.

Though the Patriots are expected to win on Sunday, Stidham’s performance will almost certainly be somewhere between the two NFL analyst’s guesses.

That’s why they call them “bold” predictions.