The Broncos erased a 10-point halftime deficit and got a game-winning field goal in overtime to take down the Patriots and improve to 5-0 on the season, keeping their surprise run in the AFC alive.
Broncos 20, Patriots 17 (OT)
Invesco Field at Mile High, Denver, Colo.
Oct. 11, 2009
Headliner: After watching his team fall behind 10-0 and 17-7, Denver quarterback Kyle Orton didn't panic or make poor decisions. Instead the first-year Bronco took control of the offense and led the team to another come-from-behind win to stop the streaking Patriots and keep the Broncos undefeated on the young season.
Orton completed 35 of 48 passes for a season-high 330 yards, throwing two touchdowns and one interception. Orton led the Broncos' game-winning drive in overtime by completing four passes for 31 yards, setting up the game-winning field goal from kicker Matt Prater.
Game Ball: The Broncos defense allowed 17 first-half points to the Patriots. Trailing by 10 heading into the locker room at halftime, it looked like McDaniels' team might lay its first egg of the season. But as soon as the second half started, the Denver defense did a complete 180 and shut down Tom Brady and Co. for the remainder of the game.
After Ben Watson's touchdown with five seconds left in the second quarter, the Patriots failed to reach the red zone for the rest of the game and were shut out in the second half and overtime. The Broncos defense didn't pick off Brady on Sunday, but they did force him to fumble with the game tied at 17-17 and 1:37 left in regulation. Brady was given the chance to be a fourth-quarter hero once again, but instead his turnover cost the Patriots their last chance to take the lead.
Better Luck Next Week: Leading 17-10, the Patriots sent Stephen Gostkowski in to kick a 40-yard field goal on fourth-and-seven with just over five minutes left in the third quarter. After hitting a career-high 53-yard field goal earlier in the game, Gostkowski missed the relative 40-yard chip shot to the left, leaving the Patriots lead at seven.
That would be the last time the Patriots put themselves in position to score against the Broncos, and after losing by three points in overtime, Gostkowski's missed field goal turned out to be a momentum-changer and the difference in the game. Gostkowski is now 12-of-14 on field-goal attempts this season.
Key Moment: After winning the coin toss, the Broncos received the ball to begin overtime and marched down the field with little opposition from the Patriots to set up the game-winning field goal. On fourth-and-three, McDaniels sent in kicker Matt Prater to try and take down Belichick, his former mentor, and the Pats.
Prater drilled the 41-yarder to seal the deal for the Broncos and improve their record to a perfect 5-0 on the season.
Scouting Report: After having their three-game winning streak snapped by the Broncos, the Patriots fell to 0-2 on the road this season with their other road loss coming against the Jets in Week 2. Now at 3-2, the Patriots return home to host the winless Tennessee Titans who have entered must-win mode for the rest of the season if they have any hopes of returning to the postseason.
The Patriots have yet to be beaten at Gillette Stadium this season, and will need to win against the Titans to separate themselves from the middle of the pack and the rest of the 3-2 teams in the AFC. The Patriots face the struggling Buccaneers the following week in Tampa Bay, and if the Patriots can top the Titans in Week 6, they could cruise into their bye week in Week 8.
