In a thrilling match at the heart of the regular NFL season, the New England Patriots emerged victorious over the Denver Broncos in a seesaw game. With the final score setting at 26-23, the game was nothing short of a rollercoaster for both the teams and the fans.
Game Details
Date and Time: December 24th, 2023, 8:15 PM EST
Location: Gillette Stadium
Final Score
Denver Broncos: 23
New England Patriots: 26
Quarterly Breakdown
Denver Broncos
Quarter 1: 7
Quarter 2: 0
Quarter 3: 0
Quarter 4: 16
Total: 23
New England Patriots
Quarter 1: 0
Quarter 2: 3
Quarter 3: 20
Quarter 4: 3
Total: 26
New England Patriots vs Denver Broncos | Full Game | #NFL 2023 Week 16 #NEvsDEN
— Bang (@RainsGayGroomer) December 25, 2023
Game Highlights
The game was filled with adrenaline-pumping moments including:
- 5:15 of First Quarter: Javonte Williams scored a 3 Yard Run touchdown for the Denver Broncos, setting the score at 7 – 0.
- 9:48 of Third Quarter: Ezekiel Elliott scored a 15 Yard touchdown pass from Bailey Zappe for the New England Patriots, overturning the score to 7 – 9.
- 1:28 of Third Quarter: A fateful fumble return for a 1 Yard touchdown by Cody Davis further inclined the score at 7 – 23, in favor of the Patriots.
- 8:33 of Fourth Quarter: A solid comeback by Lucas Krull with a 3 Yard pass from Russell Wilson, setting the score at 15 – 23.
- 2:53 of Fourth Quarter: A final push by Brandon Johnson saw a 21 Yard pass from Russell Wilson, tying the game at 23 – 23.
- 0:02 of Fourth Quarter: Chad Ryland sealed the game with a 56 Yard Field Goal, giving the Patriots a 3 point lead: 23 – 26.
Team Performance
Denver Broncos
The Broncos showcased an impressive effort with a total of 19 first downs and total yards of 276. They successfully converted 4 of 13 third downs and had 1 of 2 fourth down efficiency. Yet, the team’s total turnovers of 2 and total possession time of 31:18 were considered as game-changing factors in the loss.
New England Patriots
The Patriots maintained their steady pace with 12 first downs and total yards of 289. Despite their lower third down efficiency at 3-13, they successfully minimized their turnovers to 1. Having a total possession time of 28:42 indicated a significant ball keep which contributed to their victory.
Injury Report
Denver Broncos suffered from absence of key players such as Nik Bonitto, Alex Palczewski and Caden Sterns. Similarly, New England Patriots’ bench missed out on players like Hunter Henry, Jabrill Peppers, and Rhamondre Stevenson due to varied injuries.
Division Standings
The current standing in the AFC West sees Denver Broncos at position 2, whereas, the Patriots sit at the bottom of the AFC East standings at position 4.
Upcoming Games
Both teams will now switch gears for their next games. The Broncos will be focusing on reclaiming the top spot in their division while the Patriots will be aiming to get off from the bottom in their division.
Conclusion
This matchup proved to be an engrossing tussle with both teams showcasing their tenacity and resilience. The narrow victory for the New England Patriots gives them a boost heading into their upcoming games while the Denver Broncos will reflect on their strategies to regain the winning momentum.
