One of the big games that is happening this weekend is between the New England Patriots and the Denver Broncos.  Which team will win? It has been really hard to say which teams will win in the playoffs this year, and every game has been really good so far. But one of the factors I think people need to keep into consideration is the fact that the Broncos stadium is over 5,280 feet above sea level, while the Patriots stadium is only 289 feet above sea level. There is a common misconception that there is less oxygen at higher altitudes that is false. In fact, there is the same percentage of oxygen molecules in the air, as well as everything else. The difference? There is just less of everything, which results in lower pressures. You can trust me, I’m a scientician. But if you don’t, here is a link from a very creditable* source (http://www.altitude.org/why_less_oxygen.php)

Anyways, does being in Denver have a huge impact on teams playing there? Well, to answer this, I was curious at which teams have the best home field record. Standing in third place is Denver Broncos. They have a 22-2 home game record, which spans over the past 3 seasons. (Please keep in mind the article was written in July of 2015, so it does not include the 2015-2016 season)  The First and second teams will be provided later, along with the link. Don’t worry, it is from the NFL website, should be reliable.

According to (http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Mile-High-Advantage/70761385-fd01-40a9-a265-4be57be1060a) the Denver Broncos website, the idea that it is harder to play in Denver is true. A rookie said who was interviewed said the first two weeks were a real challenge for him. Another player of the Denver Broncos said that other teams have to take the lower pressure into account, something they have to plan for. Because they have only lost two games at home this season, John Fox head coach of the Broncos, thinks that the stadium has the best home field advantage out of the entire NFL.

Any head coach can say their stadium has the best home field advantage, for instance, the head coach of the New England Patriots could say they have the best home field advantage in the NFL because that is where they cheat best. The Detroit Lions head coach could probably not really say anything, and the Mimi Dolphins head coach could probably say they have a lot of water. The have the water that gives their stadium the best Home Field advantage.  Just remember that this little section was written by yours truly, a completely unreliable source. Don’t forget to give me credit for writing it, in case someone chooses to put it in a scientific journal or something.

Is this all just a bunch of crap? Is there really no such thing as the higher altitudes advantage and the Denver Broncos are just being biased? Maybe. Remember that little bit of information I left you hanging with earlier from the NFL? It turns out that the team with the second best home field record happens to be the New England Patriots.  The team with the best home field record are the Seattle Seahawks. But that team is not in playoffs; no one cares right now. (http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000500968/article/arrowhead-centurylink-among-nfls-top-homefield-advantages) Livestrong might say otherwise if the Broncos have any advantage at all. They say also say that the body is affected at 8,000 feet, but they also legitimately say there is less oxygen in that level of atmosphere.  Maye there is actually less oxygen at that level? I have no idea. (http://www.livestrong.com/article/455572-what-effects-do-high-altitudes-have-on-the-body/)  But The Broncos stadium is just above 5,000 feet, not at the required 8,000 feet Livestrong says.

Is there actually an advantage? I don’t actually know, but I’m saying yes.  I do think that there is an advantage in Denver, and that it is harder playing in Denver than in Boston. The Broncos have already beat the Patriots in Denver once this year, that will fuel the Patriots to not lose again. If the Broncos lose, it obviously had no effect and I was wrong for once in my life. However some teams might have more trouble with the altitudes than other teams, if there is even an advantage in Denver at all. It might also have something to do with Denver being a really good team. Make whatever conclusions you want, I say that both teams will have a tough time. There is a reason both teams are in the AFC championships, and hopefully it will be a good game.

*it has a medical symbol in the webpage, probably a credible source.