Monday 19 December 2016 07:18, UK
The New England Patriots secured their seventh straight AFC East title with a 16-3 victory over the Denver Broncos. LeGarrette Blount's touchdown, as well as three field goals from Stephen Gostkowski was enough to see the Patriots to a road win, which clinches the division, as well as a first-round play-off bye.
In 140 Characters...
New England stamp their ticket to the play-offs with win over AFC rivals. Denver fall out of play-off places and face battle to qualify.
MVP
Dion Lewis showed his value to the New England Patriots' play-off push with a 95-yard performance. Having missed most of the season after knee surgery in August, Lewis could be a key contributor come January.
Game-changer
After 11 plays and a 79-yard drive, Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian threw a critical interception to Logan Ryan, who returned the ball for a 46-yard gain. The play also set up New England's only touchdown drive, and Denver never looked like recovering.
Stat of the night
8 - It is New England's eighth straight AFC East victory, and their seventh consecutive first round play-off bye, too.
The game
New England took an early advantage, courtesy of a muffed punt. After going three-and-out and punting away, Broncos receiver Jordan Norwood failed to secure the ball which was recovered by Jonathan Jones. Though Brady couldn't move the chains, Gostkowski made no mistake with the 45-yard field goal.
Denver levelled two drives later, Demaryius Thomas setting up the field goal attempt with a 23-yard catch, and Brandon McManus converted the 33-yard kick.
The visitors retook the lead early in the second quarter, as LeGarrette Blount finished off a 7-play drive from just a yard out. It looked as though Lewis had scored for New England the play before, but officials ruled that the running back hadn't crossed the goal line before dropping the ball.
After recovering the lost ball, Brady then handed off to Blount, who scored his 15th rushing touchdown of the season - a franchise record.
Gostkowski added a 40-yard field goal midway through the third quarter but it was defences on top throughout the game. It wasn't until the middle of the second half that Siemian and the Broncos offence got a first down in the second half.
The Patriots scored another field goal, this time from 21-yards, and held on for their 12th win of the season, and securing the first-round bye week.
It wasn't Brady's most convincing performance, but the team rallied for the road victory. Julian Edelman totalled 75 yards from six receptions, and Lewis added 95 on the ground in key spots. With the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins left to play, New England have the option to rest key players ahead of the play-offs.
As for Denver, it will be a tough road to the post-season from here. After losing their Wild Card place to Miami, the 6-4 Broncos now have to beat the Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders to stand any chance of making it through to January.
