DENVER, COLORADO - DECEMBER 24: Quarterback Russell Wilson #3 of the Denver Broncos warms up prior to the game against the New England Patriots at Empower Field At Mile High on December 24, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)Photo: Dustin Bradford / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
The Broncos had to a chance to win and keep their season alive but after a disastrous 3rd quarter, their 4th quarter flurry ended up leading to a loss 26-23. Below is the recap and postgame interviews:
Denver won the toss and deferred to the 2nd half.
Bailey Zappe and the Patriots offense started their first drive from their own 25 yard line. On the first play, DJ Jones burst up the middle and sacked Zappe and stripped the ball! Denver's offense was suddenly set up at the New England 6 yard line!
Unfortunately, the Broncos blew a golden opportunity as, on 4th and goal from the 1 yard line, Javonte Williams was unable to punch it in and the Patriots held the Broncos without points on their first chance. New England took over at their own 2 yard line with 13:18 remaining in the 1st quarter.
The Patriots nudged the ball out of the shadow of their endzone with a 4-yard gain from Ezekiel Elliott but that's as far as their drive would go. New England went 3-and-out, punting it back to the Broncos who were set up, once again in plus territory, at the Patriots 46 yard line.
Even with the plus territory opportunity, the Broncos offense couldn't manage more than 5 yards and, after going 3-and-out, punted the ball right back to the Patriots who would start their next drive from their own 15 yard line with 10:15 remaining in the 1st quarter. Russ gave it a ride to Courtland Sutton down the sideline but, with some hand fighting, the ball fell incomplete.
On this drive, the Patriots went to the ground game with Kevin Harris but on 3rd down, New England direct snapped the ball to their RB but Matt Henningsen darted through the line to stop the drive and New England was, once again, punting after a 3 and out.
Marvin Mims, who leads in the NFL in punt return average, flipped the field quickly as he returned the ball 52 yards, setting the Broncos offense up at the New England 25 yard line. On this drive, the Broncos would not be denied. After a few short check down passes, Javonte Williams powered into the end zone from 3 yards out, giving Denver a 7-0 lead with 5:15 remaining in the 1st quarter.
The Patriots offense finally got on track as they got Ezekiel Elliott involved with the passing game, moving the ball to midfield. Jonathon Cooper came up with a huge 11-yard sack but on the very next play, Bailey Zappe found Jalen Reagor down the left sideline for a 28-yard gain, moving the ball into Denver territory. The defense forced the Patriots drive to stall at the Denver 14 yard line so New England settled for a 33 yard field goal, cutting into the Broncos lead 7-3 with 13:30 remaining in the 2nd quarter. Great play by Pat Surtain to tackle Demario Douglas short of the 1st down marker. It was a 13-play drive that took 6:45 off of the clock.
The Broncos offense was looking to respond and Russ got something going with a 13 yard scramble. Jaleel McLaughlin took a pitch for 12 yards and then caught a checkdown for another 12 yards. On the 4th play, though, Javonte Williams took a pass from Russell Wilson and fumbled it. It REALLY looked like Ben Powers recovered the ball on the ground but the officials were feeling bad for the Patriots and randomly afforded them the ball.
Starting from the New England 39 yard line, the Broncos defense did their job and held the Patriots to another 3 and out. Broncos got the ball back after a punt at their own 13 yard line with 9:21 remaining in the 2nd quarter.
Jaleel McLaughlin got the Broncos offense going with a swing pass that gained 7 and then gained another 7 to get the offense rolling. A big completion to Lucas Krull over the middle was nullified by a ridiculous personal foul call against Quinn Meinerz that backed the Broncos up to their 22 yard line. The drive stalled and the Broncos punted the ball back to New England who would start their next drive from their own 37 yard line with 3:19 remaining in the 1st half.
Bailey Zappe went back to work and quickly hit Pharaoh Brown for a 20 yard gain into Broncos territory. Zappe found Demario Douglas for 15 yards two plays later and New England was suddenly right around the Red Zone. A costly holding penalty backed the ball up and the Patriots were forced to settle for a field goal attempt. Ryland was wide right on his 47 yard attempt, so the Broncos would get one last chance at points with 33 seconds remaining in the half, starting at their own 37 yard line. Samaje Perine and Lucas Krull helped the offense get into position to attempt a 57 yard field goal attempt but Wil Lutz missed it left. So, at halftime, it was a 7-3 lead.
Broncos offense got the ball to start the 2nd half looking to add on to their slim lead. Marvin Mims returned the ball to the 31 yard line to start the drive. Russell Wilson was sacked by Christian Barmore on 1st down and that hole was too big to dig out of. Broncos went 3 and out on their first drive of the 2nd half and punted the ball back to New England, who would start their drive from their own 30 yard line.
The Patriots offense went to work in a 4-point hole and on the first play, Jonathon Cooper couldn't quite bring Zappe down as he hit Demario Douglas for a 41 yard gain into Broncos territory. After a few more completions underneath, Zappe hit Ezekiel Elliott in the flat and he took it into the end zone for a 15 yard touchdown. The extra point was missed, so the Patriots lead was 9-7 with 9:48 remaining in the 3rd quarter.
The Broncos offense was looking to respond and, after a quick 1st down completion to Brandon Johnson, the Broncos offense stalled after another sack given up on the right side of the offensive line. Broncos punted it back to New England who started their next drive from their own 31 yard line. It was announced during this drive that Courtland Sutton would miss the rest of the game due to a concussion.
New England looked to add onto to their lead but the Broncos defense forced a VERY important 3 and out. Riley Moss almost came up with his first NFL interception but instead the Patriots punted to the Broncos who would start their next drive from their own 15 yard line with 6:04 remaining in the 3rd quarter.
The Broncos went 3 and out again with Russell being sacked on 3rd down by Barmore. Patriots started their next drive from the Broncos 42 yard line and five plays later, Bailey Zappe found Mike Gesicki in the back in the end zone for an 11 yard touchdown. Patriots extend their lead 16-7 with 1:34 remaining in the 3rd quarter.
Things only got worse as Marvin Mims fumbled the ball on the kickoff and the Patriots returned it for a touchdown. New England now lead the Broncos 23-7 nearing the end of the 3rd quarter.
Broncos went 3 and out with, get this, another Russell Wilson sack on 3rd down. This time he fumbled the ball but was able to get it back. Nevertheless, the Broncos punted it back to New England. The Broncos defense forced a quick 3 and out and the offense went back to work from their 17 yard line with 13:11 remaining in the game.
The Broncos offense needed a miracle and they got one. Russell Wilson rolled out to the right and found Marvin Mims for a 47-yard completion, quickly setting the Broncos up in the Red Zone. A few plays later, Russell Wilson found Lucas Krull for a 3-yard touchdown. With the 2 point conversion to Brandon Johnson, Broncos were suddenly within 1 score with 8:33 remaining in the game.
Denver's defense did exactly what they needed to do and forced a quick 3 and out. The Broncos offense would get the ball back at their own 22 yard line with 6:33 remaining in the game.
Russell Wilson and the Broncos offense executed a great drive, hitting Jerry Jeudy and Brandon Johnson as they moved into Patriots territory. On 3rd and 4, Russell Wilson found Brandon Johnson on the left side and he turned the ball upfield to score a 21 yard touchdown. Javonte Williams caught a pass from Russ and somehow, someway, the Broncos tied the game at 23.
The Defense does it's job and forced a quick 3 and out, getting the ball back at their own 39 yard line with, remarkably, a chance to win the game. Unfortunately, the Broncos went 3 and out and had to punt the ball back to New England with 58 seconds left in regulation. Broncos defense looked like they might get another quick stop but Bailey Zappe found DeVante Parker for 27 yards and then Mike Gesicki over the middle, eventually setting up a Chad Ryland 57 yard field goal for the win. He converted it and the Broncos fell to the Patriots 26-23, effectively ending their season.
The next broadcast will be Sunday, December 31st as the Broncos host the Los Angeles Chargers. Coverage begins at 8am MTN.
Below are the postgame interviews with Sean Payton and Russell Wilson