Hard fought game...Patriots struggle against the wildcat offense of the Broncos (aka Wild Horses Offense) and lose it in overtime. Broncos always seem to have the Patriots number. Even more so with Josh McDaniels as coach!
The Good:
Jerod Mayo, the 2008 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, returned to action after missing three games with an injury. Midway through the first quarter, Mayo forced a fumble on a tackle of Denver RB Knowshon Moreno that was recovered by S Brandon McGowan at the Denver 45-yard line.
Runningback Sammy Morris averaged 4 yards per carry (17 for 68) and finished with 107 total yards when you factor in his three catches for 39 yards.
TE Benjamin Watson connected with QB Tom Brady on his third touchdown of the 2009 season with a seven-yarder in the second quarter.
The Bad:
The Patriots were 0 for 6 converting third downs in the second half. In all the Patriots were 5 of 14 on third down.
Stephen Gostkowski missed a 40-yard field goal just left of the goal post, ending a streak of 12 consecutive field goals.
Denver recorded 321 yards through the air, compared to just 209 from New England. Patriots WR Randy Moss was held to just one catch for 36 yards.
Logan Mankins picked up a foolish unnecessary roughness penalty in the second quarter on the end of a 3-yard run by Kevin Faulk, barreling into Wesley Woodward from behind when the play was all but over.
Logan Mankins was also beaten by Vonnie Holliday on the strip-sack of Tom Brady with under two minutes to go, which turned out to be the Patriots' last best chance to win the game.
Brandon Meriweather in the fourth quarter picked up a taunting penalty after he flew in to keep Eddie Royal from catching a pass, which helped set up the tying score. The penalty was a tough call, but Meriweather shouldn't have given the referee a chance to even call it by lingering over Royal and gesturing.
The Ugly:
Losing to the Broncos in overtime of course!
Denver handed Tom Brady his first overtime loss. He fell to 7-1.
Patriots left tackle Matt Light left the game with what appeared to be a right knee injury in the fourth quarter.
Game Notes:
The Patriots eight-yard scoring pass from QB Tom Brady to WR Wes Welker was the first touchdown pass against Denver in 2009.
Randy Moss lined up deep on defense during Denver’s final play of the first half and intercepted a QB Kyle Orton pass to secure New England’s 17-7 first half lead. It is his first career interception.
The New England Patriots have had at least one forced turnover in 13 straight games.
K Stepen Gostkowski’s 53-yard field goal in the first quarter is a career-high, besting a 52-yard field goal he had vs. Chicago on November 26, 2006.
New England scored scored 17 points against a Denver defense that was ranked second and was allowing just 6.5 points per game through the first four games of the 2009 season. New England’s 17 first half points were more than Denver allowed in a single game in 2009.
Notable Quotes:
Denver coach Josh McDaniels may have said all week Sunday's game would be just like any other, but after the 20-17 overtime win, McDaniels said, "I lied."
“Just collectively as an offensive unit, we’re just not consistently doing things as well as we need to do them,” Bill Belichick said. “All the way across the board. It’s not one position, it’s not one player. It’s not one particular type of play. We’re just not as efficient and as precise as we need to be. There’s no other way to put it.”
"Josh is a great coach, so he's obviously learned a lot and he's got the team playing well," Tom Brady said. "Pretty impressive for a first-year coach. He's a hard worker and he certainly deserves it. They're playing well."
Scoring:
Wes Welker catches his first TD of the season, an 8-yard pass from Tom Brady to move the Patriots ahead with 6:44 left in the first quarter. The play capped a seven play, 62-yard drive that burned 4 minutes, 16 seconds off the clock. (Patriots 7, Broncos 0)
The Patriots managed three points after the turnover thanks to Stephen Gostkowski's 53-yard field goal (Patriots 10, Broncos 0)
Broncos WR Brandon Marshall grabbed an 11-yard pass from Kyle Orton in the end zone for Denver's first touchdown of the game. (Patriots 10, Broncos 7)
The Patriots came right back to answer Denver's touchdown using 4:26 to get down field and score when Brady completed a 7-yard pass to Benjamin Watson for the touchdown. (Patriots 17, Broncos 7)
Matt Prater kicked a 24-yard field goal with 7:22 left in the third quarter, helping the Broncos chip away at the Patriots' lead. (Patriots 17, Broncos 10)
Brandon Marshall broke away from Leigh Bodden's grip and dove into the end zone to help the Broncos tie the score at 17-17 with 5:27 left in the fourth. (Patriots 17, Broncos 17)
OT: Denver won the coin toss in overtime and received the ball first. The Broncos remain undefeated, walking away with a 20-17 victory courtesy of Matt Prater's 41-yard field goal in overtime. (Patriots 17, Broncos 20) FINAL
Game Info from NFL.Com and Boston.com
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