Bettis: A win over Patriots could set Broncos up for a late run

It’s not to the point of throwing in the towel just yet for the Denver Broncos, according to Hall of Fame running back Jerome Bettis.

Bettis, an ESPN NFL analyst, told 104.3 The Fan’s “Schlereth and Evans” on Thursday a win over the New England Patriots could help set up a run into the postseason.

“I think this is one of those games, if they can win this game, then I think it sets them up for the next two divisional games, which they would have to win,” Bettis said.

And “Schlereth and Evans” co-host Mark Schlereth agreed, saying if the Broncos can get hot and execute against a team that everyone expects to run away with the AFC’s No. 1 seed, it could do wonders from a mental side of things.

“When you watch that film, and you’ve got a victory, everybody goes, ‘See? See? We can do it. We’re on this thing,’” Schlereth said. “From a psychological standpoint, this is a huge game, a huge opportunity for the Broncos to get healthy.”

And in the Broncos, Bettis said he sees a team in which the “little things” keep getting in the way of winning football.

“Obviously, this is not the opponent you want to have when you’re not cooking on all cylinders. But they’ve got to find a way to beat the Patriots,” Bettis said. “They’ve got the toughest schedule coming in pretty much of anybody. So, that is a challenge in and of itself.”

But if Denver can use the home crowd as motivation, find a rhythm in the running game, and attack Patriots quarterback Tom Brady with the pass rush, Bettis said they have a good shot at coming away with a victory on Sunday.

“The Patriots, it won’t be an easy task, but that defense that they have, they can get after Tom Brady. So, that’s the one benefit that they do have. They can force him out of that pocket and force some quick throws from him,” Bettis said. “I just think the offense has to find a way to run the football in order to win the game. But if they do, they’ll be fine.”

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.