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Daily Madden: Can Tebow's Broncos Compete With Brady's Pats?

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - In one of the most anticipated NFL game of the weekend, the New England Patriots face the Broncos in Denver Sunday. John Madden told the KCBS morning crew it's a big test for the Tebow magic.

"When you go in against the Patriots and (quarterback) Tom Brady and you know their defense is down a little, you have to think -- like you used to against Peyton Manning -- if I'm going to win I have to score in the 30s or maybe 40 points," Madden said. "I don't know that the Denver Broncos are set up to do that."

Both teams lead their divisions, and Tim Tebow is 7-1 as the starting QB for the Broncos. John said Denver does have a chance to beat the Patriots. "If you can still be close at the end of the first half and go into the third quarter, and then your defense can take over in the third quarter a little, then you can do some of those Tebow things in the fourth quarter."

In other NFL action Sunday, the 7-6 Raiders meet the 8-5 Detroit Lions in Oakland. John said after losing their last two games, it's important that the Raiders play well. "You kind of lose big both in Miami and against the Green Bay Packers, (so) you kind of lose your confidence and with that goes your swagger," said Madden.

Madden noted that penalties could be the key to the game on both sides. "The one that cleans up their penalties might be the winner, because these are two of the most penalized teams in football." Personal fouls are a big problem for both teams. "Those are the stupid things," he said.

"You play from the time the ball snaps until the whistle blows. Once the whistle blows, once the play is over, you don't get any points for it. That's not football, that's not helping your team score, helping your team stop them, helping your team complete a pass. You're not helping your team do anything, you're just hurting them."

Listen to the John Madden segment live weekday mornings at 8:15 on KCBS All News 740 AM/106.9 FM.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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