PREGAME:
We’re back at Sports Authority Field at Mile High for today’s highly anticipated Week 15 matchup between the Broncos and Patriots.
We’ve got great football weather in Denver here today, with sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-50s.
As fans begin to file into the stadium, each seat has an orange, blue and silver pom-pom. With the sun reflecting off of them, it looks a bit like flashbulbs popping across the stadium. Should look pretty cool on TV.
Stay tuned as we keep you updated with all the latest info.
BRONCOS MOBILE APP: For those of you who follow the action on your smartphone, there’s a brand new — free — official Broncos mobile app. For more information on the app, check out this blog. On your smartphone, visit BroncosMobile.com to download it.
BRONCOS VS. PATRIOTS GAMECENTER: For play-by-play action and up-to-the-minute stats, check out the DenverBroncos.com Gamecenter. We’ll keep you updated here with scoring plays, drive recaps and all the fun bits and pieces you can’t get from looking at a box score.
BRONCOS ON TWITTER: Another option is to follow the @Denver_Broncos Twitter account. There are constant updates on there throughout the game. You don’t have to be on Twitter to read the posts, but if you are, you should follow the account for news throughout the week as well.
INACTIVES: The inactives for the Broncos have been released, and include safety Brian Dawkins.
COIN TOSS: The captains are at midfield. The Patriots call heads — and it’s heads. New England elects to defer, and the Broncos will receive to start the game.
PREGAME PHOTOS: Here’s a look at warmups from field level.
BRONCOS STRIKE FIRST: Tim Tebow capped the team’s first offensive drive with a 9-yard touchdown run. A botched snap on the extra point left the Broncos with a 6-0 lead.
PATRIOTS ANSWER: A 33-yard touchdown strike from Tom Brady to Chad Ochocinco gives the Patriots a 7-6 lead.
BRONCOS RETAKE LEAD: A 32-yard Lance Ball run — the back’s first career rushing touchdown — gives the Broncos the lead, 13-7.
INJURY UPDATE: Willis McGahee is probable to return with a leg injury.
PRATER EXTENDS DENVER LEAD: A 26-yard Matt Prater field goal capped off a 10-play drive to extend Denver’s lead to 16-7.
BRADY-TO-HERNANDEZ NARROWS GAP: A 1-yard touchdown pass from Tom Brady to tight end Aaron Hernandez brings the score to 16-14 in favor of the Broncos.
PATRIOTS RETAKE LEAD: A 21-yard field goal by Stephen Gostkowski gives New England a 17-16 lead.
BRADY SNEAK EARNS TD: After another fumble, the Patriots capitalized with a drive capped off by a 1-yard quarterback sneak by Brady for a touchdown.
GOSTKOWSKI TACKS ON THREE: A muffed punt with three seconds remaining in the first half gave the Patriots another chance at points, and Stephen Gostkowski converted with a 34-yard field goal to give the Patriots a 27-16 lead at the half.
CARTER’S FIRST SACK STOPS PATS: Quinton Carter’s first career sack was a timely one, bringing New England’s first drive of the second half to a half by forcing a punt.
UPDATE: McGahee has returned to the game, after being ruled probable with a leg injury in the first half.
WOODHEAD EXTENDS PATRIOTS LEAD: A 10-yard touchdown run by Danny Woodhead gives New England a 34-16 lead late in the third quarter.
DUMERVIL CONTINUES SACK STREAK: Elvis Dumervil laid one of the hardest hits of the game on a sack of Tom Brady, extending his streak to seven straight games with at least a half sack.
TEBOW RUNS IT IN: A 2-yard touchdown run by Tim Tebow capped off an 89-yard drive to trim New England’s lead to 34-23.
PATRIOTS SCORE LATE: BenJarvus Green-Ellis’ 1-yard touchdown run puts New England up 41-23 with 4:10 left in the fourth quarter.
FINAL: PATRIOTS 41, BRONCOS 23: New England has beaten Denver 41-23.
