In a nightmare before Christmas, the Denver Broncos lost to the New England Patriots 26-23 on Sunday evening.
The night started well for the Broncos as defensive lineman D.J. Jones strip-sacked Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe on the first play of the game and Jones recovered the fumble at New England’s six-yard line.
A few plays later, after a Russell Wilson would-be interception was deemed an incomplete pass, the Broncos went for it on 4th-and-goal at the two-yard line and running back Javonte Williams was stopped at the one-yard line.
New England and Denver then exchanged punts. On their next possession, the Patriots punted again and Mims returned the punt 52 yards to New England’s 25-yard line.
Denver then got down to the three-yard line and running back Javonte Williams scored on a three-yard rush to take a 7-0 lead. The Patriots kicked a 33-yard field goal on their next drive to make 7-3.
On their next drive, Broncos guard Ben Powers appeared to recover a Williams fumble, but New England was awarded the ball after defensive lineman Jeremiah Pharms emerged from the pile with the ball.
The Patriots later missed a 47-yard field goal attempt with 33 seconds remaining before halftime. Denver then went 24 yards before missing a 57-yard field goal attempt, taking a 7-3 lead into halftime.
The Broncos started the second half with a punt and New England then went 70 yards before Ezekiel Elliott caught a 15-yard touchdown pass to take a 9-7 lead (Patriots kicker Chad Ryland missed the extra point attempt).
Later in the third quarter, Zappe threw a 11-yard touchdown pass to tight end Mike Gesicki to make it 16-7. On the ensuing kickoff, Denver returner Marvin Mims fumbled on his return and New England recovered the ball in the end zone to extend the lead to 23-7.
In the fourth quarter, Wilson threw a three-yard touchdown pass to tight end Lucas Krull and then connected with Brandon Johnson for a successful two-point conversion to make it 23-15.
After getting the ball back, Wilson led an 11-play, 78-yard drive that culminated with a 21-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Johnson. Wilson then converted a two-point attempt with a two-yard toss to Javonte Williams that tied the game 23-23 late in the fourth quarter.
New England and Denver then exchanged punts before the Patriots went 44 yards and kicked a 56-yard field goal to seal a 26-23 win.
On the injury front, Broncos receiver Courtland Sutton suffered a head injury in the first quarter and did not return.
Denver is not mathematically eliminated from playoff contention with the loss, but the team would need a lot of help to get in. Up next for the Broncos is a home game against the Los Angeles Chargers (5-10) in Week 17.
