Defense, Brandon McManus kick Denver Broncos past Patriots
The Denver Broncos have defeated the New England Patriots.
The Broncos had to wait 17 days between games but they played a good game against one of the league’s most disciplined teams, beating the Patriots 18-12. It was the team’s first win on the road in New England since the 2006 season.
The Broncos played great defense on the day, bottling up Cam Newton and forcing three turnovers on the day. Though the defense didn’t dominate Newton the way it did in Super Bowl 50, it did hold him to just 157 yards passing while forcing two interceptions.
The Broncos also won the game without finding the end zone a single time in the game. Brandon McManus accounted for all the team’s points, kicking six field goals on the day.
McManus was a steady hand, making kicks from 45, 44, 27, 52, 20 and 54 yards on the day. The Broncos held an 18-3 lead at one point, but the win didn’t come easily.
47. Final. 18. 45. 12
Drew Lock nearly threw the game away after tossing interceptions on back-to-back plays in the fourth quarter. The Patriots turned the first pick into three points after they had just scored the only touchdown on the day to make the score 18-12.
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Lock then threw an interception on the very next play trying to hit Tim Patrick deep across the middle of the field. Newton and the Patriots could have won the game with a touchdown and they went on a 12-play drive, only to turn the ball over on downs after reaching the Denver 24-yard line.
The finish of the game made things closer than they should have been, but this was a terrific win for the Broncos, one that could change the team’s entire outlook on the season.
Now sitting at 2-3, the Broncos will prepare to return home to face the Kansas City Chiefs.
Lock finished the day with 189 yards on just 10-of-24 passing with the two interceptions. His return wasn’t excellent, but Phillip Lindsay came back in a big way, rushing for 101 yards on the day. Patrick added 101 yards through the air.
On the defensive side of the ball, Malik Reed came up with two sacks of Newton.