SB Nation Denver - Broncos vs. Patriots: Denver goes down to defeat in New Englandhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48907/denver-fave.png2012-10-08T12:43:29-06:00http://denver.sbnation.com/rss/stream/32075532012-10-08T12:43:29-06:002012-10-08T12:43:29-06:00John Fox eager to fix Broncos' woes
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<figcaption>Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE - Presswire</figcaption>
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<p>Broncos head coach John Fox is bothered by his team's inability to get going on both sides of the ball until late in the second half.</p> <p>With Denver once again unable to pull off a fourth quarter rally in Sunday's loss to New England, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Broncos</a> head coach John Fox noted the similarities between each of his team's three losses this season <a href="http://blog.denverbroncos.com/denverbroncos/broncos-at-patriots-quotables/">at his official press conference after the game through DenverBroncos.com</a>.</p>
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<p>Despite losing every single time, the Broncos have been able to reel off an impressive comeback attempt in all three of their defeats this season. Fox was still pleased with his players' effort once again in Week 5, but the second-year coach spoke of fixing his team's early-game jitters first and foremost.</p>
<p>"We’re kind of feeling ourselves through both defensively and offensively," Fox said. "We’ve got to get better. That’s the challenge. There’s a lot of tough guys in that locker room. They hung in there all 60 minutes and we just came up short again. We’ve got to get out of that."</p>
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<p>Denver's up and down season may not stabilize anytime soon with San Diego and New Orleans as the next two teams on the schedule, but Fox and company should benefit from a timely Week 7 bye. Finding a way to get rolling quicker in games both offensively and defensively will be a main focal point heading into Week 6, and it's quite clear that Fox wants to avoid forcing his offense to scramble for points in the waning minutes.</p>
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https://denver.sbnation.com/broncos/2012/10/8/3474598/john-fox-broncos-vs-patriots-2012Dave Ryan2012-10-08T12:31:00-06:002012-10-08T12:31:00-06:00Manning confident in teammates after fumbles
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<figcaption>Jim Rogash - Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Denver quarterback Peyton Manning told Broncos teammates Demaryius Thomas and Willis McGahee he's with them despite their fumbles in a 31-21 loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday.</p> <p><span>Peyton Manning</span> told <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Denver Broncos</a> teammates <span>Demaryius Thomas</span> and <span>Willis McGahee</span> that they still have his full support despite each player giving up a fumble in a loss to the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New England Patriots</a> on Sunday. Manning told the two players that he'll continue to feed them the ball, <a target="_blank" href="http://blog.denverbroncos.com/denverbroncos/broncos-at-patriots-quotables/">according to the team's website</a>:</p>
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<p>"I stood with them. I told Willis after the fumble and after the fourth down when we had it and told Demaryius after that, that I'm with them. We're going to need those guys all season. Those guys have made key plays in our two wins and they made some big plays tonight, so, hey, nobody wants to have a play go against them or (have) a negative play – it's part of football."</p>
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<p>During Denver's first possession, Thomas was first to cough up the football, fumbling on the New England 10-yard line after Manning found him for a 43-yard gain.</p>
<p>Down by 10 in the fourth quarter and again in the red zone, McGahee fumbled and the Patriots recovered before burning off the remaining four minutes in the game as New England won 31-21.</p>
<p>Thomas had nine catches for 188 yards on the day while McGahee had 14 carries for 51 yards.</p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/broncos/2012/10/8/3474502/peyton-manning-broncos-patriots-2012-demaryius-thomas-willis-mcgaheeKevin Zimmerman2012-10-08T10:21:06-06:002012-10-08T10:21:06-06:00Demaryius Thomas fumbles again in key spot
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<figcaption>Jim Rogash - Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Despite a big game in Foxboro, concerns still linger about Demaryius Thomas' ball control, after he lost another fumble.</p> <p><span>Demaryius Thomas</span> lost another fumble on Sunday, setting the tone for the <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Denver Broncos</a>' 31-21 loss to the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New England Patriots</a> early in the game.</p>
<p><span>Peyton Manning</span> hooked up with Thomas on Denver's first drive of the game for a 43-yard reception, but Thomas fumbled the ball at New England's 10-yard line. The Patriots recovered the ball, ending Denver's red zone threat before it ever began.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_21721611/demaryius-thomas-big-day-broncos-marred-by-key" target="_blank">Lindsay H. Jones of the Denver Post</a> notes the momentum swing that the fumble produced:</p>
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<p>Instead of taking an early lead, the Broncos found themselves in a constant state of playing catch-up.</p>
<p>"Man, I've just got to start tucking the ball away," Thomas said. "(Moore) made a good play, but I put that on myself. It was a good ball. I had time to put it away, and I just didn't."</p>
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<p>Thomas fumbled in a similar fashion during Week 4's win over the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders" class="sbn-auto-link">Oakland Raiders</a>.</p>
<p>Ball security is the No. 1 goal for any running back or wide receiver in the NFL, and Thomas will need to improve drastically in that facet of his game, if he's to become one of the league's best receivers.</p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/broncos/2012/10/8/3473894/demaryius-thomas-turnovers-broncos-patriots-2012JP Starkey2012-10-08T10:07:16-06:002012-10-08T10:07:16-06:00McGahee takes blame for loss
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<figcaption>Greg M. Cooper-US PRESSWIRE - Presswire</figcaption>
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<p>Willis McGahee tweeted after Denver's loss to the New England Patriots that the loss should be put on 'his shoulders.'</p> <p><span>Willis McGahee</span> made two crucial errors late in the game on Sunday, when the <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Denver Broncos</a> lost to the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New England Patriots</a>, 31-21.</p>
<p>McGahee, to his credit, is owning up to the mistakes. <a href="https://twitter.com/WillisMcGahee/status/255107505200455680" target="_blank">McGahee took to Twitter </a>after the game to tell the world that he "messed the game up."</p>
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<p>Man enough to admit I messed The game up... Put it on my shoulders I can handle it.</p>
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<p>McGahee let a fourth-and-1 pass slip through his fingers in the fourth quarter -- a pass that would have certainly given the Broncos a first down. Instead, the Patriots took the ball over on downs, rather than Denver's drive continuing.</p>
<p>The Broncos, though, had a chance to continue mounting a comeback even later in the fourth quarter. Trailing 31-21, the Broncos had the ball at New England's 14-yard line, and looked poised to cut New England's lead down. McGahee, though, fumbled, with 3:42 left to go in the game.</p>
<p>Denver did not regain possession again in the game.</p>
<p>The loss will undoubtedly sting for awhile, but hopefully for Broncos fans, McGahee can use it as motivation for the rest of the season. McGahee and the Broncos will look to rebound next Monday, when they take on the San Diego Chargers on <i>Monday Night Football.</i></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/broncos/2012/10/8/3473816/willis-mcgahee-fumble-broncos-patriots-2012JP Starkey2012-10-08T07:52:19-06:002012-10-08T07:52:19-06:00Keith Brooking concussed in loss
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<figcaption>Jeff Gross - Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Keith Brooking suffered a concussion during Denver's Week 5 loss to the New England Patriots.</p> <p>Though <span>Peyton Manning</span> and the <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Denver Broncos</a> lost to <span>Tom Brady</span> and the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New England Patriots</a> on Sunday, the Broncos at least exited Foxboro with just one player suffering an injury. Keith Brooking was forced from Sunday's loss to the Patriots with a concussion, and did not return to the game.</p>
<p>Brooking has registered just 17 tackles in Denver's first five games of the season. Brooking did force a fumble during Week 2's loss to the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Falcons</a>, but otherwise has been quiet on defense.</p>
<p>It's unknown how severe Brooking's concussion is, but he'll need to pass a series of concussion tests if he's to play in next Monday night's game, when the Broncos head to San Diego to take on the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers" class="sbn-auto-link">Chargers</a> on Monday Night Football<i>.</i> It's safe to consider Brooking week-to-week with the injury.</p>
<p>Offensive lineman <span>Chris Kuper</span> made his 2012 debut on Sunday, as he worked his way back from a broken arm.</p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/broncos/2012/10/8/3473124/nfl-injury-report-broncos-week-5JP Starkey2012-10-08T06:02:17-06:002012-10-08T06:02:17-06:00Denver fans frustrated with slow starts after loss
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> fell to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> 31-21 on Sunday, dropping to 2-3 on the season and further dampening the optimism that had built during the preseason.</p>
<p>The Patriots raced to a 31-7 lead before the Broncos offense came alive, with several blown third-down chances and turnovers in the second half dooming the comeback attempt. <span>Peyton Manning</span> passed for 345 yards and three touchdowns, yet Denver's slow start was too much for the veteran to overcome on the road.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.milehighreport.com/game-central-week-5-denver-broncos-new-england-patriots/2012/10/7/3471490/broncos-vs-patriots-reactionalysis-denvers-loss-traced-back-to-one/in/3233811">Sayre Bedinger of Mile High Report</a> feels the slow starts are one of the major factors to the team's struggles this season:</p>
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<p>Denver has had a really bad habit of this season of starting slow, which isn't anything new to any of us, and that has to change. The Broncos looked like they were going to get out to a quick 7-0 lead before <span>Demaryius Thomas</span> lost his third fumble in as many games.</p>
<p>Even against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Raiders</a>, the Broncos were up just 10-6 at the half before completely dominating the second half. I suppose if we get out of the first half of a game with a lead, we should pretty much consider it lights out for the opposing team.</p>
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<p>The Broncos travel to San Diego for a key division game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers">Chargers</a> on Monday Night Football on Oct. 15.</p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/broncos/2012/10/8/3471892/patriots-broncos-2012Brandon Worley2012-10-07T17:52:25-06:002012-10-07T17:52:25-06:00Broncos beaten on the road by Patriots, 31-21
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<figcaption>Jim Rogash - Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>New England's offense was in top form in an impressive victory over Denver on Sunday in Foxboro, Mass.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> defeated the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a>, 31-21, on Sunday at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass. The Patriots racked up nearly 450 yards of total offense and 35 first downs in the victory.</p>
<p>Behind <span>Tom Brady's</span> efficient performance, the Patriots scored early and often on Denver's defense, which came into the game ranked No. 8 in the NFL in yards allowed. Long, punishing offensive possessions, combined with key Denver turnovers, allowed the Patriots to take a 31-7 lead late in the third quarter.</p>
<p>Still, it took a big play from <span>Rob Ninkovich</span> to seal the victory for the Patriots. Ninkovich, who also forced <span>Peyton Manning</span> to fumble in the third quarter, stripped the football from <span>Willis McGahee</span> as the Broncos were threatening to pull to within a field goal with under four minutes left in the game. New England recovered the ball, and chewed up the remainder of the clock. Meanwhile, Manning, who threw for 345 yards and three scores, and the Broncos came up just short.</p>
<p><b>Fantasy studs: </b>Patriots RB <span>Stevan Ridley</span> (28 carries, 151 yards, TD); Broncos QB Peyton Manning (31/44, 345 yards, 3 TD)</p>
<p><b>Fantasy duds:</b> Denver's defense (444 yards and 31 points allowed; 1 forced turnover)</p>
<p>Be sure to check out <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/fantasy">SB Nation's fantasy hub</a> for more.</p>
<p><b>Did they cover? </b>New England came in as a 6-point favorite, and while Denver made it close at the end, the Patriots still covered the spread. The over/under of 51 was barely surpassed, as well.</p>
<p>To view betting lines for games from around the league, check out <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/odds">SB Nation's NFL odds page</a>.</p>
<p><b>Up next:</b> New England: Oct. 14 at Seattle; Denver: Oct. 15 at San Diego</p>
<p><b>For more on this game:</b> Visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.patspulpit.com">Pats Pulpit</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://boston.sbnation.com">SB Nation Boston</a> for additional coverage on the Patriots, and head over to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.milehighreport.com">Mile High Report</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://denver.sbnation.com">SB Nation Denver</a> for further news and analysis on the Broncos.</p>
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https://denver.sbnation.com/broncos/2012/10/7/3470846/broncos-vs-patriots-final-score-recapBryan Kilpatrick2012-10-07T16:51:24-06:002012-10-07T16:51:24-06:00Broncos face 31-14 deficit after 3 quarters
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> have a 31-14 lead over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> after three quarters of play at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass.</p>
<p>The Patriots used a 1-yard touchdown run by <span>Tom Brady</span> to extend their lead to three scores, after the Broncos were unable to stop the Patriots on a third-and-17 play earlier in the drive. <span>Danny Woodhead</span> took advantage of a Broncos defense that was clearly expecting the pass, and rushed for 19 yards to move the chains. That was a huge play for New England, extending the possession and getting into Denver territory in the process.</p>
<p>Following a <span>Peyton Manning's</span> fumble while being sacked by <span>Rob Ninkovich</span>, New England would add another score, with <span>Stevan Ridley</span> diving into the endzone just 18 seconds after the previous touchdown.</p>
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<p>Denver went most of the quarter without a first down, but finally got one with just over four minutes remaining. That kickstarted the offense a bit, as Manning connected with <span>Demaryius Thomas</span> for gains of 20 and 38 yards, setting up a 7-yard scoring pass to <span>Eric Decker</span>.</p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/broncos/2012/10/7/3470654/patriots-vs-broncos-score-updateBryan Kilpatrick