Broncos vs Patriots prediction: 2 of 3 pundits pick the Broncos
Denver Broncos at New England Patriots · Week 17, 2026 · Sun, Jan 3 · Updated
Who do pundits pick in Broncos vs Patriots? Of 3 pundits with a call on record, 2 take the Broncos and 1 takes the Patriots. Every call is graded once the game is final.
Who the room took
3 pundits · each counted once, by their latest callBroncos vs Patriots picks by outlet
Each pundit counted once, at the outlet or show their latest call ran on. An outlet is listed when two or more of its pundits have picked.
- Locked On Broncos (podcast)all 2 Broncos
The other 1 pundit writes or talks elsewhere: all 1 Patriots.
Broncos at Patriots: how they come in
The Broncos are 7-2 and have won 5 straight; the Patriots are 5-4. On win totals, 15 pundits put the Broncos at 10.9 wins on average, and 17 pundits put the Patriots at 10 wins on average.
Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
- Record
- 7-2 · won 5 straight · 198 scored, 186 allowed
- Last games
- W 26-21 at Panthers Week 9
- W 28-24 vs Chiefs Week 8
- W 30-16 at Cardinals Week 7
- Unit ranks
- offense 24th, defense 7th of 32 (this season)
- Last season
- 14-3
- Win-total calls
- 15 pundits · average 10.9 · 9.5 to 13 wins
- The room's picks
- the side most pundits took won 5 of 9 Broncos games
- Record
- 5-4 · 211 scored, 207 allowed
- Last games
- L 27-45 vs Packers Week 9
- W 24-19 at Dolphins Week 8
- L 24-30 at Bears Week 7
- Unit ranks
- offense 11th, defense 17th of 32 (this season)
- Last season
- 14-3
- Win-total calls
- 18 pundits · average 10 · 9 to 17 wins
- The room's picks
- the side most pundits took won 8 of 9 Patriots games
Broncos and Patriots players to watch
Each club’s starting quarterback, leading rusher, receiver and tight end, and its sack and tackle leaders, with their 2026 regular season so far, with the latest call on each from a pundit on our leaderboard whose record beats the naive pick (69 pundits clear that bar), made since the 2026 schedule came out. “No.” is their rank there.
Broncos
- Bo NixStarting QB · QB
1,730 passing yards · 11 TD, 4 INT · 60.6% completions · 116 rushing yards · 9 games · 18th in the NFL in passing yards
Bo Nix to finish QB1 (1–12) at his position, by fantasy points
“Nix offers a relatively safe floor but might have a limited ceiling. Consider him a low-end QB1 or high-end QB2.” the article →
Bo Nix to be 1st on the depth chart
“If practice continues to go as it has, fans can expect Nix to be ready to go for the Week 1 away game.” the article →
- J.K. DobbinsRB1 · RB
324 rushing yards on 98 carries · 3 TD · 9 catches for 31 · 9 games · 29th in the NFL in rushing yards
J.K. Dobbins to be 1st on the depth chart
“So Dobbins is back... I think Dobbins gets a majority of the early down carries and the goal line carries.” the article →
“That leaves him as a touchdown-dependent FLEX.” the article →
- Jaylen WaddleWR1 · WR
30 catches for 337 yards · 2 TD · 9 games · 57th in the NFL in receiving yards
Jaylen Waddle to outplay his draft cost (drafted as a WR2)
“Waddle is one of my flag-plant players this year and can easily be drafted as a WR2 with WR1 upside.” the article →
Jaylen Waddle to be 1st on the depth chart
“a franchise quarterback on a rookie deal and a new WR1 in Jaylen Waddle” the article →
- Evan EngramTE1 · TE
17 catches for 169 yards · 1 TD · 9 games · 137th in the NFL in receiving yards
- Nik BonittoSack leader · LB
4.5 sacks · 13 solo tackles · 9 games · 22nd in the NFL in sacks
- Alex SingletonTackle leader · LB
2 sacks · 50 solo tackles · 9 games · 2nd in the NFL in solo tackles
Patriots
- Drake MayeStarting QB · QB
2,282 passing yards · 18 TD, 11 INT · 65.4% completions · 219 rushing yards · 9 games · 6th in the NFL in passing yards
Drake Maye to finish QB1 (1–12) at his position, by fantasy points
“But yeah, he's either high-end or mid-range QB1, and everyone should be starting him. And the Drake May panic of a week ago was never justified.” the article →
Drake Maye to finish top 5 at his position, by fantasy points
“Maye should be considered a strong top-five fantasy quarterback option with the ability to push Josh Allen for the QB1 spot if everything goes his way in 2026.” the article →
- Rhamondre StevensonRB1 · RB
399 rushing yards on 102 carries · 4 TD · 26 catches for 258 · 9 games · 22nd in the NFL in rushing yards
“Stevenson is dealing with a knee tendon issue. It won't require surgery, but Stevenson is expected to miss New England's Week 10 game against Detroit” the article →
Rhamondre Stevenson to be 1st on the depth chart
“Unless Stevenson falls off in 2026, he should remain the lead back for New England after playing at least 57% of the snaps in nine of his 14 games played in 2025.” the article →
- DeMario DouglasWR1 · WR
31 catches for 434 yards · 4 TD · 9 games · 31st in the NFL in receiving yards
DeMario Douglas to be 1st on the depth chart
“With Romeo Doubs on IR with a shoulder injury, DeMario Douglas might be New England’s de facto No. 1 receiver when the Patriots host the Packers this Sunday.” the article →
DeMario Douglas to be 3rd on the depth chart
“New England's top three wide receivers for Sunday will be Kyle Williams, Efton Chism III and DeMario Douglas.” the article →
- Hunter HenryTE1 · TE
32 catches for 361 yards · 2 TD · 9 games · 49th in the NFL in receiving yards
- Elijah PonderSack leader · LB
7.5 sacks · 14 solo tackles · 9 games · 4th in the NFL in sacks
- Christian EllissTackle leader · LB
1.5 sacks · 32 solo tackles · 9 games · 34th in the NFL in solo tackles
“Christian Ellis logged full practices. He's questionable. I think he'll play.” the article →
Every call on Broncos at Patriots
1–3 of 3
New England Patriots to beat Broncos
Twelve and three home for Broncos. I love that. I love that.
Denver Broncos to beat patriots
I'm equally interested by the fact that we both had the Broncos going on the road and being the patriots in week 17
Denver Broncos to beat patriots
we both had the Broncos going on the road and being the patriots in week 17... I really felt confident about that one as well