Denver, Nov 05: Tom Brady and the New England Patriots pull out a 30-26 comeback win over the Denver Broncos.
Tom Brady threw for 350 yards and three touchdowns to carry the New England Patriots to a 30-26 win over the reeling Denver Broncos Monday (November 3). Brady led New England on a six-play, 58-yard drive for the winning points, hooking up with David Givens from 18 yards with 30 seconds left on the clock. It was the fourth loss in five games for Denver (5-4) following a 4-0 start. New England (7-2) has won five straight despite suffering several injuries. Brady, the 2001 Super Bowl MVP, ran his record to 30-12, including playoffs, as New England`s starting quarterback.


The Patriots had to overcome two turnovers and an uncharacteristic 14 penalties, the most since Bill Belichick became coach in 2000.

New England faltered in other areas, too, allowing an opponent to run for 100 yards for the first time this season as Clinton Portis racked up 111 yards on 26 carries.


The Patriots also conceded a punt return touchdown, their first since 1993. Portis raced 15 yards up the middle four minutes into the game to give Denver the lead. That came on the heels of a Patriots fumble deep in Broncos territory.


They were the first points conceded by the Patriots in the opening period since their first game of the season. New England turned over the ball again on its second possession, a Brady pass being deflected twice before it was tucked away.

But the Broncos failed to capitalize this time and the Patriots quickly made them pay, Brady hooking up with Deion Branch for a 66-yard touchdown.


The teams then traded field goals, Jason Elam hitting for Denver from 43 yards and Adam Vinatieri replying from 40 yards to knot the score at 10-10.


Broncos quarterback Danny Kanell took Denver on a 72-yard drive for a second touchdown hitting Mike Anderson from one yard with 24 seconds left in the half.


Following a long kickoff return, Vinatieri added a second field goal a second before the break. Brady found Daniel Graham from six yards for another score midway through the third quarter to give New England its first lead, 20-17. But Deltha O`Neal returned a line-drive punt 57 yards for Denver`s third touchdown 2 1/2 minutes later.


Vinatieri made it 24-23 with a chip-shot field goal with 11 minutes left. The Pats played safe with 2:49 remaining, conceding a safety when pinned deep, putting them three points down. Brady, however, then went to work to win it.


Bureau Report