Breakdown of Denver vs. New England with Jarrett Stidham

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Insights on Denver's Home Advantage and Betting Shifts

The recent shift in betting odds from 5.5 to 3.5 has sparked conversation, largely due to the belief within the betting community that backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham could impact the game significantly, much like historical instances such as Nick Foles or Jeff Hostadler. Despite these shifts and concerns, Denver remains a strong contender, especially at home where they are 9-1, having shown considerable dominance throughout the season including a notable victory against Green Bay. Their only loss at home was to Jacksonville, who stood as a 3.5 point favorite.

Considering the playoffs and Denver's proven defensive capabilities at home, the team still stands strong against Drake May in his first career road start in the playoffs. Despite concerns about overestimations around Stidham's capabilities overshadowing his potential performance, which some believe has been exaggerated beyond reason, Denver's performance as an elite defensive team is expected to significantly challenge the New England Patriots.

Beyond the quarterback discussions and perceptions, Denver's strategy seems to focus heavily on not allowing turnovers and on capitalizing on their strong defense capabilities. Addressing the opponent's strategy, New England’s potential in ground attack led by Traveon Henderson is highlighted as a key area Denver needs to be wary of. The game dynamics underscore the importance of turnovers and the teams’ abilities to manage the football effectively in what promises to be a tightly contested game.

Overall, while the shifting odds and public bets have introduced some unpredictability, the fundamental strengths of Denver at home remain a compelling factor in the game’s dynamics. This leads to a continued lean towards Denver, though with more caution given the narrower point spread compared to earlier odds.