Yahoo Sports Staff
Sunday Night Football: Patriots stun Broncos to win 26-23 on Chad Ryland's 56-yard FG with 2 seconds left
The Broncos desperately needed a win to stay in the AFC playoff race. The team found itself in good position prior to Week 15, but a dreadful loss to the Detroit Lions dropped Denver down to 7-7.
The skid continued after Zappe led a drive in the final minute to set up Ryland's 56-yard field goal with two seconds left to give New England a stunning 26-23 victory.
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Before we start piling on with draft position jokes, let's enjoy the key play to New England's game-winning drive:
DeVante Parker gets the @Patriots past midfield 👀
📺: #NEvsDEN on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/uY6Dg380OO pic.twitter.com/XAuETp2LAV— NFL (@NFL) December 25, 2023
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Patriots swat aside Russell Wilson's Hail Mary attempt and get the W.
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Missed extra point.
Missed 47-yarder.
So what?
Chad Ryland from 56 yards!
📺: #NEvsDEN on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/uY6Dg380OO pic.twitter.com/EXqQQlg7HV— NFL (@NFL) December 25, 2023
What a moment for the rookie!
📺: #NEvsDEN on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/uY6Dg380OO pic.twitter.com/CLh5P8Nmfc— NFL (@NFL) December 25, 2023
- Yahoo Sports Staff
It's GOOD! Chad Ryland nails a 56-yarder with 2 seconds left. Patriots up 26-23.
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Chad Ryland setting up for a potential winning kick 😬
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Belichick appeared to want to run out the clock for overtime. Sean Payton wasn't having it, as he has burned two timeouts. That set up a big-time 27-yard reception from DeVante Parker. Pats in Denver territory.
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And with all that goodwill and momentum on its side, Denver goes a quick three-and-out. Bailey Zapp has less than a minute to get that W and make some draftniks angry.
- Yahoo Sports Staff
The Patriots respond with a three-and-out.
- Yahoo Sports Staff
We are tied, courtesy of Russell Wilson to Javonte Williams hookup. What a wild second half.
Two-point conversion ties it! Broncos have come back from down 16 in the 4th quarter!
📺: #NEvsDEN on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/uY6Dg380OO pic.twitter.com/bB3dZJWwNK— NFL (@NFL) December 25, 2023
- Yahoo Sports Staff
It's a bit much to call it a "Christmas miracle" but it's a TD for Russell Wilson to Myles Bryant for 16 yards. 23-21 New England with the 2-point conversion attempt pending.
Brandon Johnson cuts the deficit to just 2 points!
📺: #NEvsDEN on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/uY6Dg380OO pic.twitter.com/gcErNXJ3yo— NFL (@NFL) December 25, 2023
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Russ is taking his shots at the end zone from New England's 40. Two straight passes into the end zone resulted in incompletions, one of them a near INT.
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Broncos force a three-and-out. Russell Wilson has 6 minutes and change to make some magic to tie this game.
- Yahoo Sports Staff
TD for Russell Wilson on a 3-yard pass to Lucas Krull. The 2-pt conversion is also good on a Brandon Johnson reception. Broncos cut the deficit to 23-15.
What a time for Lucas Krull's first career TD!
📺: #NEvsDEN on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/uY6Dg380OO pic.twitter.com/RJwBmsKBcR— NFL (@NFL) December 25, 2023
We have a one-possession game in Denver 👀
📺: #NEvsDEN on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/uY6Dg380OO pic.twitter.com/foXO1LgByW— NFL (@NFL) December 25, 2023
- Yahoo Sports Staff
The play stands. New England loses a timeout. Broncos on the Patriots' 12-yard line, in desperate need of a TD and a 2-point conversion.
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Is this a catch? The NFL world holds its breath.
Amazing throw by russ, was this a catch by mims?? pic.twitter.com/ZE55HP4Rry
— FootballFan (@randomsnsndns) December 25, 2023
- Yahoo Sports Staff
There is life for Denver as Russell Wilson connects on a 47-yard pass to Marvin Mims Jr. However, New England is challenging the play.
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Interesting question posed by Yahoo Sports' Jack Baer: What would be worse, allowing 70 to the Dolphins or 30 to these Patriots? 🤔
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Appropriately, the quarter ends on a Christian Barmore sack of Russell Wilson. It's his third of the game.
- Yahoo Sports Staff
What is happening to Denver? Special teams gaffe results in another New England TD! (Can't blame Russ on this one, Broncos fans.)
Another Patriots TD!
📺: #NEvsDEN on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/uY6Dg380OO pic.twitter.com/8gQknngT51— NFL (@NFL) December 25, 2023
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Bailey Zappe smells blood. Capped this drive with an 11-yard TD pass to TE Mike Gesicki.
18-of-23, 215 yards and 2 TDs for Bailey Zappe on Christmas Eve 🎄
📺: #NEvsDEN on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/uY6Dg380OO pic.twitter.com/SyRyrPsIfm— NFL (@NFL) December 25, 2023
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Bailey Zappe's throw of the night: 30-yard dime to DeVante Parker, putting New England in the red zone.
DeVante Parker wins the 1-on-1
📺: #NEvsDEN on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/uY6Dg380OO pic.twitter.com/jmS79UEXua— NFL (@NFL) December 25, 2023
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Russell Wilson goes down for the fourth time via sack. New England will start its drive in Denver territory.
2nd sack of Christian Barmore's night 💪
📺: #NEvsDEN on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/uY6Dg380OO pic.twitter.com/bnu94hxpdm— NFL (@NFL) December 25, 2023
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Boo birds coming for the Broncos' offense. First play of this drive ends on a 3-yard loss on an ill-fated screen play.
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Big drop from Demario Douglas. Forced a New England three-and-out.
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After five plays, New England forced a punt. Momentum all on the Patriots' side.
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Denver wideout Courtland Sutton has been ruled out for tonight with a possible head injury, per NFL Network.
- Yahoo Sports Staff
We weren't kidding on how loud the mic caught Chad Ryland's doink.
Nah man that Chad Ryland doink souned like a nuke went off LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO pic.twitter.com/iY9OxRMq97
— Video from: @TSV__1 (@TSV__1) December 25, 2023
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Ezekiel Elliott is eating and the Patriots are up 9-7 on a 15-yard score. The downside: Chad Ryland loudly missed the PAT.
Zappe ➡️ Zeke! TD @Patriots
📺: #NEvsDEN on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/uY6Dg37sZg pic.twitter.com/QJ7NCijsXG— NFL (@NFL) December 25, 2023
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Bailey Zappe slinging it. Two completions to Demario Douglas totaled 54 yards has Patriots in business.
.@Patriots start the 2nd half drive strong
📺: #NEvsDEN on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/uY6Dg37sZg pic.twitter.com/feKFn5Aa9p— NFL (@NFL) December 25, 2023
- Yahoo Sports Staff
And the Broncos have started off the second half with a Russell Wilson sack and pass play that netted a 1-yard loss. A third-and-19 play got yardage, but not enough to move the chains. Let's see how the Patriots come out with Bailey Zappe.
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Broncos wideout Courtland Sutton is being evaluated for a head injury, per the Denver Post. He is questionable to return.
Broncos WR Courtland Sutton is being elevated for a head injury.
— Ryan McFadden (@ryanmcfadden_) December 25, 2023
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Kurt Warner's coat is hotter than the offense of this game. Let's hope for more action in the second half.
The Broncos lead the Patriots 7-3 at the half 🔥
Denver and New England have a combined 230 total yards 😬 pic.twitter.com/NktXv0DdiG— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) December 25, 2023
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Rough out there for kickers.
The Patriots, perhaps the most talent poor team in the NFL, burned a valuable draft pick on that kicker.
— Frank Schwab (@YahooSchwab) December 25, 2023
- Yahoo Sports Staff
And we end the half on a missed 57-yard FG from Denver's Wil Lutz. Take a break to go wrap some presents or get after that eggnog.
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Patriots were in solid position to get more than 3 points on a drive. But a holding penalty and a give-up run on third-and-17 forced another FG try. This time Chad Ryland missed from 47 yards out and this game will likely be 7-3 heading into halftime.
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Kurt Warner's bubble coat is 🔥
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Denver's offense might have some issues in the passing game this evening. Wideout Courtland Sutton is dealing with an undisclosed injury.
Courtland Sutton was not in the previous Broncos drive and has not gone in this one either. Medical staff just took him to the blue tent. @BroncosRadio @KOAColorado
— Susie Wargin (@SusieWargin) December 25, 2023
- Yahoo Sports Staff
"I think this game has dipped into the eggnog a bit."
Again, Rich Eisen is going into his bag tonight with the entertainment as each offense struggles for consistency.
- Yahoo Sports Staff
A reminder: the stuff that goes on underneath piles, particularly on fumbles, gets rough and conventional rules might not apply. 🤷♀️
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Another big play from New England's defense: A forced fumble and recovery has New England's offense back on the field.
The @Patriots defense forces a turnover of its own
📺: #NEvsDEN on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/uY6Dg380OO pic.twitter.com/Z00pOMX6Cv— NFL (@NFL) December 25, 2023
- Yahoo Sports Staff
New England's drive stalled but the Patriots walked away with a 33-yard Chad Ryland field goal. Denver leads 7-3.
- Yahoo Sports Staff
A Jalen Reagor sighting! A nice 28-yard catch has New England in Denver territory as we close out the first quarter with the Broncos leading 7-0. (Shoutout to broadcaster Rich Eisen for poking Eagles fans in the ribs with the Reagor acknowledgment.)
Jalen Reagor! pic.twitter.com/ULFIkzIhsK
— Bussin' With The Boys (@BussinWTB) December 25, 2023
- Yahoo Sports Staff
How badly do the Broncos need a win tonight? NFL's Next Gen stats project a 5 percent playoff probability for Denver if they lose to New England this evening.
- Yahoo Sports Staff
And we finally have points.
Broncos up 7-0.Javonte Williams scores the game's first TD
📺: #NEvsDEN on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/uY6Dg380OO pic.twitter.com/tlSqFEk4fR— NFL (@NFL) December 25, 2023
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Marvin Mims Jr.'s 52-yard punt return has the Broncos back in prime territory to get points against the Patriots.
Marvin Mims returns the punt 52 yards and sets the Broncos up right near the red zone
📺: #NEvsDEN on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/uY6Dg380OO pic.twitter.com/cXLiL0QZZF— NFL (@NFL) December 25, 2023
- Yahoo Sports Staff
Big early stop for the Patriots in the first quarter. Teams continue to pass up an easy 3 points for TD paydirt.
New England's defense comes up with a stop on 4th and goal
📺: #NEvsDEN on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/uY6Dg380OO pic.twitter.com/qtaEpMk68G— NFL (@NFL) December 25, 2023
- Ryan Young
Broncos inactives:
👀 our inactives for #NEvsDEN.
📰 » https://t.co/QaP5EQgpAT pic.twitter.com/4huU85cGf6— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 24, 2023
- Ryan Young
Patriots inactives:
Patriots inactives. pic.twitter.com/DvZmPaPckq
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 24, 2023