Broncos/Pats Title Tilt Notes

In Sunday’s earlier title tilt, that the AFC (Rams at Seahawks, NFC’er is the later one as after 11 seasons of ‘them’ not alternating early or late by conference, this will be the thirtieth consecutive year (’96-2025) in which it is alternated), host team Denver is a near 5 point(s) underdog vs New England (Patriots).

This perception is due almost entirely to the fact that backup Jarrett Stidham and not the injured Bo Nix after his excellent effort in the “div” round win vs Buffalo (Bills), will be the Denver starting quarterback.

These two original AFL franchises met in the first AFL “reg” game on Friday night September 9, 1960. (Pretty good odds Nantz will cite that but apparently Romo stated, at some point this post season– “I am almost sure this is 4 down territory” when it was 100 percent such).

The Broncos are (4-1) vs the Pats in ‘offs tilts, (2-0) in previous title games and the home team prevailed in all 5 games.

One of my favorite players, now 87 year old Gene Mingo is pictured above.

I knew Gene was a fine kicker, but did not realize he was a return specialist and also once threw a TD pass to Broncos’ great, Lionel Taylor.

In that first AFL tilt, Mingo had a 76 yard punt return TD, the first TD in AFL annals, that put Denver up (13-3) in an eventual (13-10) win.

Gene as is the case with ” Indiana title clinching interception player, Jamari Sharpe was born on September 22nd.

Sharpe also wears/wore #22 and is 22 years old.

I noted it days back without seeing it, (doubt Fowler did, if he did, I apologize) but below the juxtaposition of title game endings and near such, between Sharpe and his uncle Glenn is cited.

What’s wild about Sharpe’s history is his uncle, Glenn, was penalized on a game-extending play in the end zone for Miami against Ohio State in the 2003 national champion. Now, it’s Jamari stepping in front of Beck’s pass to win a title for Indiana.