New England Patriots running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) hops over Denver Broncos cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian (29) on his way to the end zone for a touchdown in the third quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday Dec. 24, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
New England Patriots wide receiver Demario Douglas (81) makes a catch on a long pass against Denver Broncos cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian (29) in the third quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday Dec. 24, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
New England Patriots wide receiver Demario Douglas (81) celebrates a first down during the first half of the game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Dec. 24, 2023. The Denver Broncos took on the New England Patriots during week 16 of 2023 NFL season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Johnson (89) scores a touchdown against New England Patriots cornerback Jalen Mills (2) in the forth quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday Dec. 24, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
New England Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore (90) sacks Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) in the third quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday Dec. 24, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
New England Patriots place kicker Chad Ryland (37) hit a game winning field goal late in the second half of the game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Dec. 24, 2023. The Denver Broncos lost 26-23 to the New England Patriots during week 16 of 2023 NFL season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) comes off the field after losing to the New England Patriots 26-23 at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday Dec. 24, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
A fan dressed as the Grinch cheers on Denver Broncos players as they run out onto the field at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Dec. 24, 2023. The Denver Broncos take on the New England Patriots during week 16 of 2023 NFL season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos cheerleaders take the field for introductions before the Broncos played the New England Patriots at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday Dec. 24, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (10) enters the field during introductions before playing the New England Patriots at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday Dec. 24, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton looks off during the first half of the game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Dec. 24, 2023. The Denver Broncos took on the New England Patriots during week 16 of 2023 NFL season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
A disgruntled New England Patriots fan shows his concern before the game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday Dec. 24, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, left, talks with former Denver Broncos QB Peyton Manning before the game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday December 24, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos defensive tackle D.J. Jones (93) sacks New England Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe (4), forces a fumble and recovers the ball in the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday Dec. 24, 2023. Denver Broncos linebacker Baron Browning (56) was in on the play. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin (38) runs past New England Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai (48) in the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday Dec. 24, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) wasn\xe2\x80\x99t able to get ahold of this pass in the end zone against New England Patriots cornerback Myles Bryant (27) in the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday Dec. 24, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) holds his head after missing a catch during the first half of the game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Dec. 24, 2023. The Denver Broncos took on the New England Patriots during week 16 of 2023 NFL season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (33) rushes the ball up field during the first half of the game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Dec. 24, 2023. The Denver Broncos took on the New England Patriots during week 16 of 2023 NFL season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (33) is lifted up by a teammate after scoring a touchdown during the first half of the game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Dec. 24, 2023. The Denver Broncos took on the New England Patriots during week 16 of 2023 NFL season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton celebrates with Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (33) after a touchdown run during the first half of the game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Dec. 24, 2023. The Denver Broncos took on the New England Patriots during week 16 of 2023 NFL season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Inflatable reindeer dancers make their way out onto the field at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Dec. 24, 2023. The Denver Broncos lost 26-23 to the New England Patriots during week 16 of 2023 NFL season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
New England Patriots players try to stay warm on the bench during the first half of the game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Dec. 24, 2023. The Denver Broncos took on the New England Patriots during week 16 of 2023 NFL season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (33) fumbles the ball after being hit during the first half of the game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Dec. 24, 2023. The Denver Broncos took on the New England Patriots during week 16 of 2023 NFL season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton tries to keep warm on a cold night at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Dec. 24, 2023. The Denver Broncos took on the New England Patriots during week 16 of 2023 NFL season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
New England Patriots place kicker Chad Ryland (37) hit a game winning field goal late in the second half of the game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Dec. 24, 2023. The Denver Broncos lost 26-23 to the New England Patriots during week 16 of 2023 NFL season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
New England Patriots place kicker Chad Ryland (37), right, celebrates his 56-yard game-winning field goal with New England Patriots punter Bryce Baringer (17) who held for Ryland against Denver Broncos cornerback Tremon Smith (1) in the fourth quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday Dec. 24, 2023. Broncos lost 26-23. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
New England Patriots punter Bryce Baringer (17), and teammate long snapper Joe Cardona (49), center, celebrate with New England Patriots place kicker Chad Ryland (37), right, who kicked a 56-yard game-winning field goal against the Denver Broncos in the fourth quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday Dec. 24, 2023. The Broncos lost 26-23. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos defensive end Zach Allen (99) looks down late in the second half of the game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Dec. 24, 2023. The Denver Broncos lost 26-23 to the New England Patriots during week 16 of 2023 NFL season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton, left, meets with New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick at midfield after the game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Dec. 24, 2023. The Denver Broncos lost 26-23 to the New England Patriots during week 16 of 2023 NFL season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper (0) comes off the field after losing to the New England Patriots 26-23 at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday Dec. 24, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
A Denver Broncos fan show his disappointment at the end on the game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Dec. 24, 2023. The Denver Broncos lost 26-23 to the New England Patriots during week 16 of 2023 NFL season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
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New England Patriots running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) hops over Denver Broncos cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian (29) on his way to the end zone for a touchdown in the third quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday Dec. 24, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
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By RJ Sangosti | rsangosti@denverpost.com | The Denver Post and Andy Cross | across@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Getting your player ready...
The Denver Broncos hosted the New England Patriots at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Dec. 24, 2023. Despite a fourth-quarter rally by the Broncos, Denver lost 26-23 after New England scored a field goal with two seconds left.
