This past Sunday, an undefeated team fell; The Denver Broncos brought down The New England Patriots. Sunday night’s 30-24 loss for the Patriots ended their perfect season.
Tom Brady, the Patriots’ starting quarterback, led his team to an almost perfect season. The Patriots entered their game against the Broncos with a 10-0 record, and the statistics prove the Patriots dominated the NFL this season. With 39 touchdowns compared to their opponents’ 24 touchdowns, the Patriots’ field goal ratio is 24 out of 25, while the Broncos’ have a ratio of 16 out of 21. Tom Brady and the Broncos’ backup quarterback, Brock Osweiler, had similar statistics following the game. Brady had 280 yards and three touchdowns, while Osweiler had 270 yards with one touchdown. Peyton Manning, the Broncos’ starting quarterback, is suffering from a foot injury and was not able to play in Sunday’s game.
The Patriots, along with the Carolina Panthers, were one of the final two undefeated teams left in the NFL. Of course, that was until the Broncos (8-2) improved their record, upgrading to 9-2. Thanks to the 48-yard run made by CJ Anderson, a running back for the Broncos, with 12:32 left in overtime, the team performed a miracle in Sunday’s game. This is the first time since 1987 that the Patriots have lost in overtime. The last team to beat the Patriots in over time was the Dallas Cowboys when Cowboys running back Herschel Walker ran for a 60-yard touchdown.
Osweiler’s only passing touchdown was a 3-yard pass to Bronco’s wide receiver Bubba Caldwell. This pass was made with 1:09 left in the 4th quarter, evening out the score 24 to 24 and sending the game into overtime. Overtime rules state that at the end of regulation time, there will be a second coin toss; both teams will have the chance of possession unless the team with opening possession scores a touchdown — in which case, the game will end.
During this game, the snow began to fall down hard on the occupants of Sports Authority Field. As the snow fell, the players did too. The first to fall were the Broncos’ nose tackle Sylvester Williams and safety T.J Ward, both suffering ankle injuries. Then, Broncos right guard Louis Vasquez succumbed to a groin injury later in the second quarter. All three Broncos were left questionable to return.
The Patriots also faced some challenges, as in-game injuries took out some of their best. Rob Gronkowski, a tight end, suffered a knee injury during the game. The extent of Gronkowski’s injuries was unknown until after the game; he suffered bone bruising and a minor knee sprain. While Gronkowski’s injury isn’t too serious, statements have been released about Gronkowski not playing this weekend against the Philadelphia Eagles. Dont’a Hightower, a linebacker, is believed to have suffered an MCL (medial collateral ligament) sprain but will be evaluated later this week. Patriots were also missing wide receivers Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola, running back Dion Lewis and left tackle Nate Solder.
Both teams will be playing Sunday, Dec. 6. The Broncos will go head-to-head with the San Diego Chargers at 4:05 p.m. in San Diego at Qualcomm Stadium. The once perfect Patriots will be playing the Philadelphia Eagles at 4:25 p.m. in Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium.