Brady Finds Hernandez for TDGronkowski Adds Another TD Before HalfRob Gronkowski caught a 19-yard touchdown with five seconds left before halftime to give New England a 35-7 lead.
Gronkowski’s third touchdown of the game came on the fifth play of a 58-yard drive that started with 1:09 left in the second quarter.
The Patriots took their 35-7 lead into the halftime.
Brady Hits Branch For TDTom Brady tossed a 61-yard touchdown pass to Deion Branch, giving New England a 28-7 lead with 1:57 to go in the first half.
Brady’s deep touchdown pass was the second play of the drive and his fourth of the game.
Denver now takes over possession with two timeouts, looking to answer before halftime.
Gronkowski Extends New England LeadBroncos Answer After Carter INTThe Broncos turned a Tom Brady interception into points to get back in the game.
After rookie safety Quinton Carter picked off Brady and returned the interception to the New England 24-yard line, Willis McGahee stormed into the end zone four plays later for a 5-yard score six seconds into the second quarter.
McGahee now has rushed seven times for 51 yards and one touchdown.
Carter is just the ninth rookie in the Super Bowl era to record interceptions in consecutive playoff games.
To listen to Carter’s interception, click here. Audio courtesy of 850 KOA.
Patriots Double LeadPatriots Strike FirstBroncos Sign Long Snapper David BinnThe Broncos made several transactions Friday to replace long snapper Lonie Paxton, who is unavailable for Saturday’s game against the Patriots after not practicing all week due to non-injury related reasons.
The team signed long snapper David Binn to the active roster and in turn, waived fullback Austin Sylvester. Binn is an 18-year veteran who spent the first 17 seasons of his career with the San Diego Chargers. He played in 179 consecutive games from 1998-2010 with San Diego and is no stranger to the postseason, having played in 12 career playoff matches with the Chargers.
He’ll be on the field for the Broncos Saturday wearing number 54.
-Kenny Legan
Broncos Focused on Limiting Yards After Catch
As the Broncos continue their preparation for their rematch against the Patriots Saturday, one theme has been consistent throughout the defensive circles in the locker room; they need to limit the Patriots’ yards-after-catch.
In the last game, on multiple instances, the Patriots were able to pick up big chunks of yards after short completions. The Broncos know they can’t let that happen this game.
“It’s very critical,” cornerback Champ Bailey said. “You see a lot of short throws, and then here you go — a missed tackle here, a missed tackle there; a guy will make you miss. They’ve got a lot of good players that can run after the catch, and if we don’t limit that, we can see what can happen, because that’s what happened in the first game.”
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This Week’s NFL Network Broncos CoverageIn advance of Saturday’s Broncos-Patriots matchup in the Divisional round of the AFC playoffs, NFL Network has no shortage of Broncos coverage.
It all starts tonight (Wednesday) at 6 p.m. MST, when Denver’s thrilling 29-23 overtime victory against Pittsburgh in the Wild Card round will be replayed.
Immediately following that show will be Sound FX: Wild Card Weekend at 7:30 p.m. MST. The compilation of the best on-field sights and sounds from around the league last weekend includes wired sound from defensive end Elvis Dumervil.
On Thursday, the network will premiere Sound FX: Tom Brady & Tim Tebow at 7 p.m. MST. The show is described as a compilation of the best on and off field sounds from the New England Patriots quarterback and the Broncos signal caller.
Afterwards, at 7:30 p.m. MST, Denver and New England’s Week 15 clash will be replayed. The Broncos lost the game 41-23 after grabbing an early 16-7 lead.
Finally, on Friday at 6 p.m. MST, NFL Network will broadcast Tim Tebow: Season in Review.
“Tim Tebow’s magical run has brought the Denver Broncos all the way to a Divisional matchup against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots,” the show’s description reads. “Take a look back at Tebow’s storied 2011 season with wired sound and highlights.”
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