Patriots Super Bowl Hopes Dashed in Denver
Monday, January 25, 2016
"I'm proud of our guys, fought to the very end just like they always do. In the end we just couldn't quite make enough plays, obviously," said Patriots head coach Bill Belichick after the game.
The Finish
Down 20-12, Tom Brady completed a pass in the end zone to Rob Gronkowski to bring the Patriots within two points, 20-18. However, the Patriots needed a two point conversion.
On the two point conversion, Brady's pass was deflected and then intercepted to end the game.
"We finally got something going there at the end and for it to come down to a two point conversion is a tough way to end the season," said Patriots quarterback Tom Brady after the game.
Prior to that,the Patriots had two drives that got them deep into Denver territory and the offense came up short both times.
Second to Last Possession
The next Patriots possession, New England went for it on 4th and 6 from the Broncos 14 yard line but a pass to Gronkowski was too high. Gronkowski was also covered by three Bronco players.
First Possession
The first drive was the New England's possession following the field goal when the Patriots go to the Denver 18 yard line.
New England went for it on 4th and 1 but a short pass to Julian Edelman came up well short.
Bad Start
The Patriots trailed 17-9 after the first half of football.
Peyton Manning found Owen Daniels for a 21 yard touchdown pass on Denver's first offensive possession to give the Broncos and early 7-0 lead.
The Patriots came back and got into the end zone on a Steven Jackson run, however, Gostkowski would miss the field goal and the Patriots would still trail 7-6 at the end of the first quarter.
Denver would score again in the first minutes of the second quarter, Manning to Daniels again, and take a 14-6 lead before New England would get a field goal to keep it a one score game at the half.
Tom Brady was 9 of 20 for 87 yards with two interceptions in the first half.
Denver Moving On
The Broncos now await the winner of the NFC Championship game between Carolina and Arizona. The Super Bowl is set to be played on Sunday, February 7 in Santa Clara, California.
Related Slideshow: 5 Takeaways From The Patriots AFC Championship Loss to Denver
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