ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- In recent years, even when things go well for the Denver Broncos in Gillette Stadium, eventually the other shoe has dropped and they’ve been forced to load another few pounds of frustration on to the team’s charter for the trip home.

Last season it was the 24-0 halftime lead that got away in what eventually became a 34-31 loss in overtime. The Broncos lost their opportunity to escape with a win when a punt hit Broncos cornerback Tony Carter in the leg and set the New England Patriots up for the winning kick.

So logic, and a streak of 41 consecutive home starts for Patriots quarterback Tom Brady against AFC teams that have ended in wins, says the Patriots (6-2) win this matchup between AFC power brokers. Brady also has a 7-2 record against Peyton Manning-led teams in Gillette.

Then again, the Patriots haven’t always protected Brady as well as they should. This was particularly true in the season opener when the Miami Dolphins sacked Brady four times or in the Patriots’ 41-14 loss to Kansas City three weeks later when the Chiefs sacked Brady twice and had him under duress for most of the evening.

And the Broncos (6-1) bring a far better defense in tow this time than the one the Patriots saw last November -- a defense that is No. 4 in the league overall, No. 6 in scoring defense, tied for No. 6 in sacks and No. 1 in rushing defense. Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware -- 16 combined sacks in seven games -- give the Broncos options in the pass rush and the ability to challenge the Patriots all across the offensive front.

So, in the end, even as the two quarterbacks get the bright lights, how the Broncos' defense plays in this one will likely determine the outcome.

My prediction: Broncos 34, Patriots 21.