Broncos reporter Bill Williamson breaks down Denver’s 27-13 victory over the New England Patriots:
BESTS
Sauerbrun delivers
Punter: On a Broncos kickoff in the second quarter with Denver leading 7-3, New England returner Ellis Hobbs fielded the ball and broke free at the Denver 35 when Cecil Sapp missed him. Hobbs got in trouble when Denver punter Todd Sauerbrun put a helmet on the ball and jarred it loose. And who was there to get the fumble? Sapp. Denver took over at the 39-yard line and got a 50-yard Jason Elam field goal to make it a 10-3 game.
Noise: Perhaps the Patriots’ three false starts in the first half were courtesy of a boisterous crowd. The Broncos encouraged fans all week to bring their “A” game, and the fans delivered.
Big play: After Jake Plummer threw an interception in the second quarter, Tom Brady went deep and hit receiver Andre Davis for a 51-yard reception to the Denver 39. It set up an Adam Vinatieri field goal to give the Patriots a 3-0 lead.
Opportunity: Down 3-0 and with the momentum on New England’s side, running back Kevin Faulk fumbled after getting a first down. After a pass-interference call in the end zone, Mike Anderson plowed in for a touchdown to give Denver a 7-3 lead.
WORSTS
Fade route
Play: On fourth-and-1 from the New England 3, Denver called a timeout. The Broncos decided to run a fade route, but Plummer and receiver Ashley Lelie could not connect on the play. After being in a third-and-2 situation from the 4, Denver came away with no points.
Missed opportunity: With New England pinned deep in its own territory, linebacker Al Wilson was unable to grab a ball that bounced off his chest at the Patriots’ 6. It could have been a touchdown for Denver.
TURNING POINT
Total meltdown
The Patriots began to self-destruct near the end of the first half. New England fumbled on back-to-back plays, transforming a 3-0 lead into a 10-3 halftime deficit. The Pats continued the turnover trend in the third quarter, which eventually led to Tom Brady’s first playoff loss in 11 tries.
HIT OF THE DAY
Lynch smackdown
Deep in their own territory late in the first quarter, New England decided to run the ball. The choice was no favor to running back Corey Dillon. He was met by Denver safety John Lynch, who hammered him in the midsection and brought him to the turf. Another classic smackdown by Lynch.
CRAZY PLAY OF THE DAY
Decking the Champ
Late in the third quarter, New England was poised to take the lead. On third-and-goal from the Denver 5, New England quarterback Tom Brady was looking for Troy Brown. But Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey stepped in front of Brown, made the pick, then zipped down the sideline. He was almost tackled at midfield but recovered his footing. He looked like he was going to score easily, but Patriots tight end Ben Watson never gave up. He came from the other side of the field at full speed. He crushed Bailey at the 1-yard line, knocking him out of bounds and knocking the ball loose. Bailey was called down but New England challenged, hoping the play would be ruled a fumble through the end zone for a touchback. The ruling on the field stood, and the Broncos scored on the next play to make it 17-6. It was a great play by Bailey and Watson, whose effort was unrewarded.
