DENVER — Bill Belichick had little to say about injuries and penalties Sunday night, but he was willing to shower his New England Patriots with praise.
The Patriots came to Sports Authority Field at Mile High and took the Denver Broncos to overtime in their 30-24 loss. The Patriots held a 21-7 lead early in the fourth quarter, but mistakes, injuries and some head-scratching officiating caused them to blow the lead and lose the game.
“I was really proud of the way our team fought (Sunday),” Belichick said. “I thought we gave tremendous effort and played really hard. Obviously there were some things that we could have done better, could have coached better, could have played better. But guys really played hard, and I have all the respect in the world for this football team, the way they competed, so proud of what — the way they went at battle (Sunday). Disappointed in the end result but have to get back to work this week for Philadelphia.”
Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski was carted off the field after taking a hit to his right knee, but early reports indicate the injury isn’t serious. Belichick still chose not to address the topic.
“I have no updates,” Belichick said. “I don’t have an update. … I just walked off the field.”
Quarterback Tom Brady said after the game he didn’t believe Broncos safety Darian Stewart’s hit to Gronkowski was dirty. Belichick wasn’t as receptive to the question.
“Look, I’m not going to talk about the play,” Belichick said.
If the Patriots hadn’t lost Gronkowski and linebacker Dont’a Hightower during the game, the result might have been different, which perhaps is why Belichick was so positive about his team’s effort after the loss.
Thumbnail photo via Ron Chenoy/USA TODAY Sports Images
