Good Morning, Broncos fans! Bill Belichick and Co. will surely continue to list corner Alfonzo Dennard as a limited practice participant over the next couple of days.
But like the Herald's Jeff Howe, NFLN's Albert Breer says there's no chance Dennard will suit up on Sunday night against Denver. The second-year player had his meniscus scoped earlier in the week.
The status of safety Steve Gregory remains unclear, but it appears that if he does play, it will be with a cast on his right arm and broken thumb.
For Denver, it sounds like Wes Welker is progressing toward being cleared, but we won't know for sure until Friday afternoon's final injury report of the week.
Broncos
Unlike Steve Smith, Demaryius Thomas says he has no plans to engage in a verbal battle with Aqib Talib.
Wes Welker's teammates, old and new, all talk about his work ethic and dedication to the mental aspects of the game.
Matt Bowen analyzes Steven Johnson's big goal-line stop, Peyton Manning's TD pass to Julius Thomas, Demaryius Thomas's blocking on Montee Ball's eight-yard score, and expects we'll see plenty of seam and corner routes from Rob Gronkowski on Sunday night.
Lindsay Jones discusses the many changes Manning and Tom Brady have faced recently.
Paul Klee correctly states that Denver's rivalry with New England is more relevant these days than its ownership of the Chiefs and other AFCW teams.
Mark Kiszla thinks there's something to cold weather hampering Peyton's teams.
Patriots
Not sure if this is overcompensation for his own history with the Pats, but it's interesting to hear Rodney Harrison acknowledge that Manning could easily have won multiple titles in New England.
New England has been a far more discliplined team this season, as far as penalties go.
News
Chargers LB Jarret Johnson underwent hand surgery; while it's not the same as facing backup quarterbacks, it's another bit of good fortune for the Chiefs.
Oakland placed first-rounder D.J. Hayden on IR and announced that Matt McGloin would start again over the hobbled Terrelle Pryor; Matt Bowen breaks down McGloin's stunning debut.
Jets S Ed Reed thinks old friend Wade Phillips was behind his departure from Houston.
Analysis
Eric Edholm previews Week 12.
Andrew Brandt figures the Bears' best option with pending free agent Jay Cutler is to use their franchise tag on him.
Don Banks thinks it's time to make judgment calls like pass interference eligible to be challenged by instant replay.
Chase Stuart discusses the continually shrinking role of fullbacks in the modern NFL.
Gil Brandt says it's already time for Washington, Atlanta, Houston, and Minnesota to turn their focuses to 2014.
Peyton Manning remains #1 among QBs in Keith Goldner's NEP rankings, Knowshon Moreno has been overtaken by LeSean McCoy among backs, and Demaryius Thomas is now #3 among receivers.
Gregg Easterbrook is less than completely dedicated to facts? WHO KNOW?!