Tom Pelissero

USA TODAY Sports

Tom Brady aside%2C the New England Patriots must have concerns on defense%2C ranked 30th vs. the run.

Peyton Manning has gone 4-10 vs. Brady%27s Patriots and 10-11 overall in the playoffs.

Denver lost CB Chris Harris to injury%2C and CB Quentin Jammer did not fare well vs. the Chargers.

USA TODAY Sports NFL writer Tom Pelissero gives his five first impressions on the AFC Championship matchup between the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos:

1. The Broncos' record-breaking offense wasn't at its best in Sunday's win over San Diego, from TE Julius Thomas' questionable fumble to the ball that ricocheted off WR Eric Decker's chest for an interception to WR Wes Welker's red-zone drop. But mistakes aside, QB Peyton Manning has weapons to spare and is a wizard at adjusting to defensive looks before the snap. He'll see plenty from Bill Belichick's Patriots, who quietly ranked seventh in pass-rush efficiency and are as game plan-specific as anybody.

2. The Patriots defense is decimated up front, having lost DTs Vince Wilfork and Tommy Kelly and LBs Jerod Mayo and Brandon Spikes to season-ending injuries on the way to a No. 30 ranking in run defense. That creates a tough situation if an opponent gets a lead and in position to churn clock, as Denver did effectively in spots against the Chargers, averaging 4.1 yards on 33 non-kneeldown carries. Best way to cover up that weakness: get a lead, force the Broncos to go to the air and turn loose the dogs.

3. The Broncos defense suffered a key injury of its own last month, losing pass-rushing OLB Von Miller to knee reconstruction surgery. But they owned the line of scrimmage against the Chargers' short-handed offensive line. Of greater concern might be a Denver secondary that lost CB Chris Harris to a knee/ankle injury and watched his replacement, veteran CB Quentin Jammer, get toasted by Philip Rivers and his receivers during the second half. The Broncos aren't strong at safety, either.

4. Patriots QB Tom Brady has done some of his finest work this season, considering who he's been throwing to. He was 24-of-33 passing for 263 yards and three TDs in the second half as New England rallied from a 24-point deficit to stun the Broncos back in November. RB LeGarrette Blount did the heavy lifting in Sunday's win over the Colts, though. The more the Patriots stay on schedule, the more Brady can pick things apart with WRs Danny Amendola and Julian Edelman inside.

5. This has the makings of another classic, even if neither team is as complete as those in the NFC title game. Manning is 37 years old. Brady is 36. Every opportunity is precious at this point. In 14 head-to-head meetings with Manning's Colts and Broncos teams, Brady and the Patriots have won 10. And it's hard not to feel the pressure is heavier on Manning, who will be on his home field and knows all his personal records can't erase the mark that matters in the playoffs: a 10-11 win-loss ledger.

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Follow Tom Pelissero on Twitter @TomPelissero