Broncos Tack On Field GoalMatt Prater hit a 41-yard field goal to put the Broncos on the board in the second half.
Denver now trails 42-10 after the 14-play, 58-yard scoring drive. Prater’s conversion comes after Brodrick Bunkley forced a fumble by Patriots running back Stevan Ridley that Marcus Thomas recovered for Denver.
2:14 remains in the third quarter of play.
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 at Patriots: Injury UpdatesBroncos 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 at Patriots: Captains and StartersThe Broncos captains today are cornerback Champ Bailey, linebacker Wesley Woodyard and defensive end Elvis Dumervil, running back Willis McGahee, wide receiver Matthew Willis, guard Russ Hochstein. Denver called heads, won the toss and chose to defer to the second half.
The Broncos started in their nickel package with defensive linemen Brodrick Bunkley, Marcus Thomas and Elvis Dumervil, linebackers Von Miller, Joe Mays and D.J. Williams, cornerbacks Champ Bailey, Andre’ Goodman and Chris Harris and safeties Quinton Carter and David Bruton.
On offense, Denver opened with quarterback Tim Tebow, running back Willis McGahee, offensive linemen Ryan Clady, Zane Beadles, J.D. Walton, Russ Hochstein and Orlando Franklin, tight ends Virgil Green, Daniel Fells and Dante Rosario and wide receiver Demaryius Thomas.