There's excitement, there's boundless excitement, then there's the kind of excitement I'm feeling today.

Why? Because Bill Belichick is conducting a conference call with the Denver media on Wednesday morning.

Mr. Loose Lips himself. The walking, talking sound bite. The man who bears his soul every week to inquiring minds.

Right. And I've got a part-time job as a rocket scientist.

After watching the Patriots on Sunday night, I don't have to ask Belichick a bunch of inane questions to know what's going on with his football team. The truth is, the Pats aren't very good, and won't be until Tom Brady returns.

I mention it this morning because the Pats are the next stop on the Broncos' schedule. Talk about changes in latitudes and changes in attitudes. Two months ago, the Pats were 14-point favorites in the game at Las Vegas sports books.

Today? It doesn't really matter what the point spread is. What we have here are two struggling teams trying to maintain their appearance as playoff contenders.

It didn't seem plausible during the offseason, but the Broncos could win this game. But if there's anything we know about these Broncos, it's this: They also could lose it. When you lose to Kansas City, you could lose any game on your schedule.

That makes this one a major swing game. Win it and the Broncos would have five wins with nine games to play, including two at home against the Chiefs and Raiders. It doesn't take a part-time rocket scientist to figure out that would put them in a good position to make the playoffs.

Trouble is, I don't know which Broncos team is going to show up. And more to the point, I don't think the Broncos know. With each passing week, they've become more and more of a mystery team.


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