DENVER — When the week of preparation began in Foxboro for today’s AFC Championship Game, Bill Belichick had a stern warning for his hard-nosed defense. “Go by what you see,” he cautioned them.
Belichick’s point was when you’re facing Peyton Manning, it is natural to overthink. It is also easy to overlook the obvious.
Manning has become an NFL icon by throwing the football, hollering “Omaha” and lacerating defenses, but that is no longer who he is. Nor is it what Denver coach Gary Kubiak wants him to be. Belichick reminded his team of that not by putting up video of Manning’s struggles but by reminding his defense of a number.