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Setting the scene: Patriots-Broncos 10.07.12 at 1:10 pm ET
By

Tom Brady has his sights set on the Broncos at Gillette Stadium. (Mike Petraglia/WEEI.com)

FOXBORO — Steady rain and temperatures in the mid-50s are expected for the late afternoon kickoff between the Patriots and Broncos at Gillette Stadium.

It figures to a be a raw afternoon at Gillette but wind should not play a major factor with only a light 5 mph breeze out of the west expected.

The Patriots enter the game with 12 players listed as questionable, including tight end Rob Gronkowski, who is battling a hip issue that reportedly has become more and more serious in the last two weeks. If Gronkowski can’t play, the Patriots could be extremely thin at tight end as Michael Hoomanawanui (concussion) did not practice on Wednesday and Friday and Aaron Hernandez (right ankle) has missed the last two games before returning to practice on Thursday.

Receiver Julian Edelman (left hand) and safety Steve Gregory (hip) have already been ruled out.

The Patriots are playing their first 4:25 game of the year, 10 minutes later than last year to allow networks additional time for early games to finish before switching to a national game. Next week, the Patriots play at 4:05 p.m. ET in Seattle but the game is not a national game.

The Patriots are playing just their second home game in the first five weeks of the season after back-to-back road games in Baltimore and Buffalo. The Patriots have just three home games in the first two months of the season.

Of course, the main storyline today is Peyton Manning returning to New England for a matchup with Tom Brady and the Patriots. Brady holds a 8-4 advantage over Manning, including 6-3 in the regular season.

Manning is 2-8 lifetime in New England, with his only wins coming in back-to-back seasons in 2005 and ’06.

Belichick is 9-5 against Manning, having split with him in 2000, the only year in the Belichick era the Patriots played Manning without Brady at the helm. The 9-5 mark does not include last year when the Patriots beat the Colts, 31-24, at Gillette, when Manning was on the sidelines for the Colts and missed the entire 2011 season.

In the Brady-Manning era, Manning has 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions and a completion rate of 60.7 percent against the Belichick-coached Patriots. Brady has 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions and a completion rate of 67.8 percent against the Manning-led Colts.

As is the case around the NFL, the Patriots and Broncos will be wearing various pieces of pink equipment and uniform apparel to commemorate breast cancer awareness month. (Note the second “A” in the GAMEDAY program in the inset photo).

Read More: Aaron Hernandez, Denver Broncos, Michael Hoomanawanui, New England Patriots Print  |  Bark It Up!  |  Digg It
  • sick of RUMORS

    good grief can 2pm come already? not one of these trades has had an even an ounce of value towards our two vets. get it over with already and realize we are what we are 

  • Yagru

    what is the point of even reporting something like that.. terrrible deal

  • Tommyfreitag70

    no deal ,send pierce to atlanta for smith him and rondo together next year would be nasty an still have garnett in the five spot.rondo an smith are best friends

  • Sicko

    “…no word on how quickly Celtics president Danny Ainge hung up the phone”

    Classic…..

  • Uncle Buck

    I caught that too.  The scribes here are improving.  

  • Sicko

     Don’t blame Ainge at all as Humphries is a gutless stiff.

  • Kman1020

    If Kardashian comes to the Celts I may not have to watch for awhile. UGH!

  • Uncle Buck

    I know I will watch tonight.  May be the last game for PP or KG.  I hope they spank the Lakers.  

  • http://twitter.com/ryanm1405 Ryan Martins

    NOOOOO WAYY!!!!!

  • Dansdrs

    take it

  • ziggy61

    I can not believe how over rated Pierce is.

  • Otis

    What is worse; being stabbed 10 times outside of a nightclub or being traded for Kris Humphries? Explain?

  • Crime & Punishment

    Care to bring anything of substance to the table to go along with that statement? Until then, your opinion is utterly meaningless.

  • AL

     OVER RATED ? MAYBE YOU ARE CONFUSING HIM WITH KOBE BRYANT ? ARE FR YOUR REAL DUDE,HE IS THE ULTIMATE STUD ANDCLUTCH PLAYER WHO PLAYED WITH SOME HORRIBLE CELTICS TEAMS OVER THE YEARS !

  • Bgilman66

    I’d take that deal in a heartbeat.

  • Sherman

     Rondo and Smith can play with each other on their own time.

  • Bgilman66 the idiot

     That’s because you’re an idiot and douch e.

  • Anonymous

    holding out the carrot, a little bit of frosting is needed to get the deal done. I think 
    there will be a trade,it’s got to happen tonight, or early morning.

  • Anonymous

    Do it

  • Boris

    Please no. And if you do trade one of the most underrated players to ever play in the NBA, not to the repulsive Brooklyn Nets. Awful.

  • Dano S

    I would do this deal for Celtics also it is time for Celtics to make a major move. Humphries would help Garnett greatly.

  • Mitzvahman87

    That’s the stupidest thin I ever heard send pierce send kg for smith keep pierce

  • Larry33

    How about Pierce and Garnett to the Clippers for Jordan, Bledsoe and Butler and a first rounder, flip Bledsoe and Butler and the pick over to the Hawks for Smith and  Korver. You can have Jordan, Smith, Green, Bradley and Rondo next season. I like the youth and speed and defense on that squad. Smith will sign here to play with Rondo, Pierce and Garnett go home to Cali and get a real shot at a title this year. It would extend Pierce’s career a year or two as well.

  • molly

    That would be a terrible deal for the Green. Nets need to sweeten the pot with another player for sure. I MUST SAY HUMPhries is pretty cute and what a body. Sorry let me stick with sports. although you still get your heart broken.

  • J R

    It’s amazing to me that every time “full value” is used it only pertains to right now and not the future with Pierce and KG.  Where will Pierce and Garnett be in 3 years?  At home while the Celts are making lottery picks.  Get what you can, hold out till 3 PM and take what you can get NOW.

  • Anonymous

    how bout kim kardashian too? maybe Lamar Odoms too! this isn’t reality tv, its nuts

  • Dhardwick

    pffft. 

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