The New England Patriots’ quest to finish the regular season with a 16-0 record has now come to a screeching halt.
Everyone had Patriots-Broncos circled as the game that could feature New England’s first loss of the season in Week 12, but when Peyton Manning’s foot injury kept him out of the AFC matchup, it sure looked like Tom Brady and the Patriots would go into Sports Authority Field and emerge victorious.
But they didn’t, even after jumping out to a 21-7 lead in the third quarter. Brock Osweiler kept his composure and the game was not too big for him. He looked like a veteran standing in the pocket and making correct reads, especially in the second half. Denver racked up 433 total yards and produced 23 first downs, while New England could only muster 301 and 16.
The Broncos took their first lead of the game (24-21) late in the fourth quarter when Osweiler found Andre Caldwell in the corner of the end zone on a four-yard touchdown pass.
The Patriots answered with a game-tying field goal to force overtime, and received the ball first in the extra stanza, but went three-and-out. Their loss was the Broncos’ gain, as Osweiler orchestrated a perfect drive which ended on a 48-yard touchdown run by C.J. Anderson, who finished the game with 153 total yards (two touchdowns).
Osweiler rose to the occasion, the Broncos defense made plays when they needed to and the Patriots are undefeated no longer.