AFC Championship Game: Analytics predicts which team is headed to the Super Bowl

In the highly anticipated AFC Championship Game between the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots, the question of which team analytics favors is one that has been hotly debated among fans, analysts, and experts alike. Both teams have had successful seasons, with the Broncos finishing with a 12-4 record and the Patriots finishing with a 11-5 record. However, when it comes to analytics, there are a number of factors that come into play when determining which team has the edge in this crucial matchup.

One of the key factors that analytics looks at is regular season performance. In this regard, the Denver Broncos have a slight edge over the New England Patriots. The Broncos finished the regular season with the top-ranked defense in the league, allowing just 17.8 points per game. On the other hand, the Patriots finished the regular season with the 15th ranked defense, allowing 22.1 points per game. This difference in defensive performance could play a crucial role in determining which team comes out on top in the AFC Championship Game.

Another factor that analytics takes into account is the performance of the quarterbacks. In this regard, both teams have strong quarterbacks in Drew Lock for the Broncos and Cam Newton for the Patriots. However, when it comes to analytics, Drew Lock has a slight edge over Cam Newton. Lock finished the regular season with a passer rating of 92.5, while Newton finished with a passer rating of 82.9. This difference in quarterback performance could also be a deciding factor in the AFC Championship Game.

Analytics also looks at the performance of the offenses of both teams. In this regard, the New England Patriots have a slight edge over the Denver Broncos. The Patriots finished the regular season with the 14th ranked offense, averaging 24.7 points per game. On the other hand, the Broncos finished the regular season with the 16th ranked offense, averaging 24.1 points per game. While the difference in offensive performance is not significant, it could still play a role in determining which team comes out on top in the AFC Championship Game.

In addition to regular season performance, analytics also takes into account other factors such as injuries, weather conditions, and home-field advantage. In this regard, the New England Patriots have a slight edge over the Denver Broncos. The Patriots are playing at home in the AFC Championship Game, which could give them a slight advantage. In addition, the Patriots have relatively few key injuries heading into the game, while the Broncos have a number of key players who are dealing with injuries. Finally, weather conditions could also play a role in the game, with the Patriots potentially having an advantage if the weather is inclement.

Overall, when it comes to analytics, the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots are fairly evenly matched in the AFC Championship Game. The Broncos have a slight edge in terms of regular season performance and defensive performance, while the Patriots have a slight edge in terms of offensive performance and home-field advantage. Ultimately, the outcome of the game will come down to which team is able to execute their game plan the best on game day. Both teams have the talent and the coaching to come out on top, so it should be an exciting and competitive matchup for fans to watch.

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Source: SB Nation