Patriots Offense Stays Hot In Cold Weather—Blow Out Manning, Broncos

Sunday, November 02, 2014

Matthew LaPan, GoLocalProv Sports Writer

Tom Brady

Brady versus Manning. For the 16th time those words meant the game of the week in the NFL was taking place between two of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. This time they took the field at Gillette Stadium on a November day that felt more like a mid-December day. Yet neither quarterback worried about the weather as they combined for over 100 passes and over 700 yards. Tom Brady and the Patriots once again got the best of Manning, blowing out the Broncos with a 43-21 score.

The Patriots won the opening coin toss and decided to defer to the 2nd half, making the Broncos work into the wind to start the game. This strategy worked well for New England as they forced a 3-&-Out to start the game with Denver relying on Ronnie Hillman to run the ball on the drive.

The Patriots had no answer, however, as they were unable to get their first drive moving. They nearly broke a big play when Brandon LaFell broke behind the Denver defense, but Tom Brady overthrew his target and the Patriots were forced to punt.

Denver's second drive looked almost identical to the first, going 3-&-Out behind Hillman running the ball.

The Patriots were able to get great field position to start their next drive when Denver was called for a penalty on a Britton Colquitt punt, but were unable to move the ball. They were close enough, however, for a 49-yard field goal by Stephen Gostkowski to give the Patriots a 3-0 lead.

The Broncos decided to open-up their offense on the next drive, going after Darrelle Revis with Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas on big plays. The biggest play of the drive came when Brandon Browner appeared to knock the ball away from Thomas in the end zone on 3rd down, but was called for pass interference. That allowed the Broncos to plunge in a touchdown with Hillman on their next play to take a 7-3 lead.

The Patriots looked for an answer on their next drive by going up-tempo and incorporating Rob Gronkowski into the offense. Gronkowski was responsible for 38 yards on the drive, including 12 yards on a 3rd & 11 play. New England was unable to get into the end zone, however, settling for a 29-yard Gostkowski field goal to cut the deficit to 7-6.

Stingy Pats Defense

Peyton Manning

When Denver took the field on their next drive, they were looking to extend their lead. It was not the case, however, as Rob Ninkovich stepped in front of a Peyton Manning pass for an interception. The turnover gave the Patriots great field position, which set-up a 5-yard touchdown from Brady to Julian Edelman. The interception made it so that Manning has a giveaway in all 13 career games at Gillette Stadium and gave the Patriots a 13-7 lead.

Denver was unable to answer on their next drive, going 3-&-Out. Colquitt came out to punt and fumbled the snap, but the Patriots were unable to block the kick. That worked well for the Patriots as Julian Edelman took the punt 84 yards for a touchdown. The touchdown return was Edelman's 4th career, setting the new Patriots team record and giving the Patriots a 20-7 lead.

Denver was able to continue to move the ball through the air with the wind at their back on their next drive. They were unable to convert on a long 3rd down attempt, but went for the 1st down on 4th down, rather than kick a 52-yard field goal. The Patriots read the play perfectly as Akeem Ayers shot the gap and sacked Manning to force a turnover on downs.

The Patriots had an answer on their next drive. They converted a huge 2nd & 20 with a 28-yard pass to Julian Edelman. Just a few plays later the Patriots found Shane Vereen over the middle with just seconds left in the half for another touchdown, this one for 4 yards. The score gave the Patriots a 27-7 lead at the half.

When Denver returned after the half, they clearly wanted to get more pressure on Tom Brady. They were able to do this on the first drive of the half, forcing Brady to throw in first interception in four games when Bradley Roby picked-off Brady. That interception led to a quick Broncos touchdown when they found Julius Thomas for a touchdown over Patrick Chung. It was the first target of the game for Thomas and made the game 27-14, New England.

Pats Offense Stays Hot

The Patriots came right back with another scoring drive, getting a 40-yard Gostkowski field goal into the wind to make the score 30-14. On the very next Denver play the Patriots got the ball back when Devin McCourty laid a huge hit on former Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker, popping the ball in the air for Brandon Browner to collect his first interception as a member of the Patriots. From there, it took Tom Brady one play to find the end zone as he found Brandon LaFell on a quick slant for the 10-yard score to make the game 37-14.

Denver, however was not done yet. They answered with a big drive, capped by a touchdown pass from Manning to Hillman. The Patriots lost the Broncos running back in coverage and he went into the end zone to bring the game back to within two scores at 37-21, Patriots.

It was the Patriots offense again that was able to keep the Broncos at a distance, going on a 13-play touchdown drive. The drive was kept alive by an offsides play by Von Miller on 3rd & 4. On the Drive Tom Brady moved into 5th place on the all-time passing list, passing John Elway, who was in attendance, on a 12-yard pass to Julian Edelman. The drive was capped on back-to-back plays to Rob Gronkowski, the first being an incredible one-handed grab that got him to the goal line. Brady called his number on the next play, where Gronkowski pulled in his 50th career touchdown on a slant. Gronkowski is now tied with Randy Moss for the fastest to 50 career touchdowns, doing so in just 59 games. The score made it 43-21 Patriots.

From that point the Patriots defense bowed their backs and held the Broncos without a score for the remainder of the game -- giving the Patriots the 43-21 win and moving them to 7-2. It was the 5th straight win for New England and brings them to their Bye Week before returning to action against the Indianapolis Colts.

Brady vs Manning

The clear story in the game were Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. The two quarterback combined to throw 110 passes, the most combined passes by a quarterback tandem in a non-overtime game in NFL history. Manning finished his night 34-of-57 for 438 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Brady went 33-of-53 for 333 yards and four touchdowns with one interception. Both quarterbacks threw their first interceptions in their last four games on the night, but both led impressive offensive onslaughts when their teams combined to rush for 107 total yards. Brady now has 18 touchdowns and just one interception in his last five games.

The Patriots got terrific nights from their two offensive main-stays -- Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski. Gronkowski led the way with his second consecutive huge week, grabbing nine catches for 105 yards and a touchdown. Edelman rebounded after two off weeks with, arguable, his best game of the season. Edelman brought in nine catches of his own for 89 yards and a touchdown. He added the 84-yard touchdown on a punt return. The Patriots also got touchdowns from Brandon LaFell, who had six catches, and Shane Vereen, who had five catches. Denver got a great night from Emmanuel Sanders, who turned in a 10-catch, 151-yard performance. Demaryius Thomas continued his dominant play -- grabbing seven catches for 127 yards. Both had great night's despite the fact that both were battling injuries.

Although the Patriots defense gave up a lot of yards on the night, they were extremely effective. They forced two turnovers, had one sack, two tackles for a loss, one quarterback hit and eight passes defended. They got a strong game from Brandon Browner, who spent much of the game covering Julius Thomas. Thomas finished with three catches and a touchdown -- but the touchdown came with Patrick Chung in coverage. The Patriots got a terrific game from Jamie Collins, who turned in 11 total tackles and put pressure on Manning all night. Patrick Chung had a good game as well, turning in eight total tackles and had key plays in coverage on JacobTamme. Jonathan Casillas had a good game in his first game for the Patriots, registering three special teams tackles in his first game with the team.

Related Slideshow: 10 Memorable Brady vs Manning Moments

Check out the 10 most memorable moments from this historic rivalry that renews on Sunday. Brady vs Manning.

Prev Next

It Begins!

Tom Brady and Peyton Manning met for the first time, early in the 2001 season. The Patriots and Colts were in the same division at this time, so this was actually the first of two regular season meetings.

In this game, Tom Brady went 13 of 23 for 168 yards in route to a Patriots 44-13 win. Manning threw three interceptions in the game.

Prev Next

Manning as a Bronco

After taking a year off to recover from neck surgery, Peyton Manning returned to the NFL but this time as a Denver Bronco. The rivalry took a bit of a different tone in this game because the rivalry between the Patriots and Broncos wasn't quite there like it had been with the Colts.

Tom Brady went 23 for 31 for 223 yards and one touchdown pass in route to a Patriots 31-21 victory at Gillette Stadium. Peyton Manning went 31 for 44 for 337 yards and three touchdown passes.

Prev Next

Manning as Colt last time

No one knew this at the time of course but the week 11 matchup in 2010 between the Patriots and Colts would be the last time Tom Brady and the Patriots would see Manning in Colts colors.

In the game Tom Brady went 19 of 25 for 186 yards and two touchdowns while Manning went 38 of 52 for 396 yards and four touchdowns. He threw three interceptions including one that sealed the 31-28 win for the Patriots.

Photo credit Flickr, Ytoyoda

Prev Next

2013 week 12 "comeback"

The Patriots went down 24-0 in the first half at a frigid Gillette Stadium against a high powered Colts offense. But then, they summoned some second half magic. Brady and the Patriots scored 31 straight points to take the lead before Manning tied the game up and sent it to overtime. In OT former Patriot Wes Welker miss played a punt and the Pats recovered setting up a game winning field goal for Gostkowski. Patriots won 34-31.

Brady went 34 of 50 for 344 yards and three touchdowns while Manning was 19 of 36 for 150 yards and two touchdowns and an interception.

Prev Next

Manning Beats Brady

Tom Brady and Peyton Manning met up in week 9 of the 2005 season. Coming into this game, Brady and the Patriots were 6-0 against Peyton Manning and the Colts, Manning desperately needed a win.

Both quarterbacks were tremendous, Manning went 28 of 37 for 321 yards with three touchdowns and an interception while Brady went 22 of 33 for 265 yards with three touchdowns.

The Colts went on to win the game 40-21 giving Manning his first win over Tom Brady.

Photo credit Flickr, Ytoyoda

Prev Next

2009 Week 10 "4th and 2"

Maybe the most memorable regular season game between the two came in 2009 in Indianapolis. Leading 34-28 in the fourth quarter, Head Coach Bill Belichick decided to go for it on 4th and 2 instead of punt the ball away. Brady threw a pass to Kevin Faulk who came up just short of the first down marker. Manning scored easily and the Colts won 35-34.

Manning went 28 of 44 for 327 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions while Brady 29 of 42 for 375 yards with three touchdowns and an interception.

Photo credit Flickr, Ytoyoda

Prev Next

2004 AFC Divisional Round

Peyton Manning came into this game looking for payback from the previous years AFC Championship but the Patriots defense had other ideas at a soggy Gillette Stadium.

Brady went 18 of 27 for 144 yards and one touchdown, he also ran one in himself, while Manning went 27 of 42 for 238 yards and one interception. The Patriots won the game 20-3 and would go on to win their second straight Super Bowl and third in four years.

Prev Next

2014 AFC Championship

For the first time since the 2006 AFC Championship game, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning were back in the conference title game together. This one was played in Denver which has proved to be a house of horrors for the Patriots over the years, and it proved to be once again.

Peyton Manning threw for 400 yards and two touchdowns leading the Broncos to a 26-16 victory over Brady and the Patriots. Brady threw for 277 yards and one touchdown in the game but it wasn't enough.

Prev Next

2003 AFC Championship

Tom Brady and Peyton Manning meet in a playoff game for the first time at a snowy Gillette Stadium, with the winner goes to the Super Bowl.

Tom Brady went 22 of 37 for 237 yards with one touchdown and one interception. The Patriots defense dominated the day, picking off Manning four times in the game.

The Patriots won the game 24-14 and advanced, and won, their second Super Bowl in three years.

Prev Next

2006 AFC Championship

Brady and Manning met in the AFC Championship for the second time but this one was in Indianapolis. This game proves to be one of the most important games of the rivalry and for Patriots fans, one of the most heartbreaking ones.

Brady went 21 of 34 for 232 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Manning went 27 of 47 for 349 yards with one touchdown and one interception in route to a come from behind 38-34 win.

Manning went on to win his first Super Bowl.

Photo credit Flickr, Ytoyoda