Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images New England looks to get back in the win column on Christmas Eve. The New England Patriots are set to take the primetime stage on Christmas Eve as they face off with the Denver Broncos Sunday night. With the race for a top draft pick tightening up down the stretch, a loss may remain the best thing for New England from a big picture perspective. But, the Patriots will be playing hard for their fourth win on the field as Bailey Zappe is set to get his fourth consecutive start at quarterback. Follow along with us live down below throughout Sunday night’s contest. Live Score: (3-11) Patriots 9 : 7 Broncos (7-7) Sunday, December 24, 8:15 p.m. ET | Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO | Broadcast information | Inactives | Game day roster First Quarter Bailey Zappe and the Patriots offense started the night with the football after the Broncos won the toss and deferred. They needed just one play for disaster to strike, as pressure beat James Ferentz — who drew the start at left guard — and got to Zappe to force a strip sack. The Broncos got the ball at New England’s six-yard line after the turnover, where New England’s defense held strong after a near Mack Wilson interception on third-and-goal. Denver kept their offense on the field on fourth-down, where a handoff to Javonte Williams was stuffed for a turnover on downs. New England took back over at their own two-yard line after the turnover, where two runs to Ezekiel Elliott set up a third-and-seven. From his own end zone, Zappe’s pass to Demario Douglas was off the mark and incomplete. Denver’s following possession also began in New England territory just past midfield, where two straight runs set up a third-and-six. Russell Wilson took his shot downfield to Courtland Sutton one-on-one with Myles Bryant, but it was the corner who won the matchup to force a punt. Trent Brown and Atonio Mafi replaced Vederian Lowe and Ferentz on the left side to start the Patriots next drive. Two straight runs for Kevin Harris set up a third-and-one, where a direct snap to the back was stuffed leading to another punt. Marvin Mims brought a spark to Denver on the punt return taking it 52 yards to New England’s 25-yard line. A pair of first downs then set the Broncos up inside the five-yard line, where Williams plowed through for a touchdown. [Patriots 0 : 7 Broncos] The Patriots’ offense picked up their first first-down of the game after two short completions to DeVante Parker and Ezekiel Elliott. Then facing a third-and-one, Zappe connected with Pharaoh Brown out of the backfield off play-action for another easy conversion. After a 10-yard sack the following play, Zappe delivered a pretty hole shot down the left sideline to Jalen Reagor for 28 yards. A reverse to Tyquan Thornton and run by Elliott then set New England up at the 20-yard line, where they then faced a third-and-long. Zappe’s pass was complete to Douglas but short of the sticks, leading to a Chad Ryland 33-yard field goal.[Patriots 3 : 7 Broncos] Second Quarter Back with the ball, Russell Wilson’s mobility shows as he stepped up in the pocket and kept it himself en route to a 14-yard gain. The next play, Jaleel McLaughlin picked up 12 more yards on the ground before a pass to the back went for 11 additional yards. Pressure then forced Wilson to dump it off to McLaughlin, where Jahlani Tavai was able to force a fumble which was recovered by Jeremiah Pharms. The @Patriots defense forces a turnover of its own: #NEvsDEN on @NFLNetwork
: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/uY6Dg380OO pic.twitter.com/Z00pOMX6Cv— NFL (@NFL) December 25, 2023 Taking over at their own 39-yard line after the fumble, New England faced an opening third-and-two. From the shotgun, a handoff to Elliott was stopped short leading to another punt. Bryce Baringer’s punt started the Broncos’ offense at their now 13-yard line, where Keion White stuffed Denver’s first run for no gain. A screen to Mims then set up a third-and-one where Wilson’s second effort on a QB sneak moved the chains. Two touches for McLaughlin picked up another first-down before an 11-yard pass to Lucas Krull was negated due to an unnecessary roughness penalty. Two quick passes to McLaughin led to a third-and-12, where Wilson was sacked by Mack Wilson — who forced a fumble in the process that Denver recovered. Zappe found Pharaoh Brown up the seam for 21 yards to begin New England’s following possession. Following the two-minute warning, a quick slant to Douglas went for 13 yards to set them up outside the red area. A short completion back to Douglas and incompletion downfield to Parker set up a third-and-six, in which Zappe escaped pressure but went down short of the sticks. However, a holding penalty on New England instead set up a third-and-16 where a handoff to Elliott picked up just three yards. Ryland’s 47-yard field goal was then pushed wide right. With 33 seconds left in the half three short completions combined for 24 yards to move Denver across midfield. A spike with two seconds left brought out Will Lutz for a 57-yard field goal which was no good. Third Quarter A 31-yard kick return by Mims gave Denver strong opening field position before Christian Barmore quickly got home for an eight-yard sack. On a then third-and-19, Wilson flipped a short pass to Krull leading to another punt. New England started the second half with a play-action pass where Zappe was able to buy time before hitting Douglas downfield for 41 yards. Zappe went back to the shifty wideout two plays later to move the chains again and set New England up inside the red area. After a short run by Elliott, Zappe found the back in the flat — who hurdled a defender and took it 15 yards for a score. Ryland’s extra point was no good off the left upright. [Patriots 9 : 7 Broncos] THE HURDLE THO @EzekielElliott | #ForeverNE
: NFLN pic.twitter.com/LniqrooVw7— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 25, 2023 Now trailing, Russell Wilson bought time in the pocket before hitting Brandon Johnson for a 13-yard gain. A short run and then drop by Johnson led to a third-and-eight in which Wilson again moved around the pocket before being sacked by Josh Uche. Two touches to Elliott resulted in short pains to set New England up with an opening third-and-six. From the gun, Zappe’s pass went off the chest of an open Douglas leading to an incompletion and a punt.
Source: https://www.patspulpit.com/2023/12/24/2 ... ails-recap
