Ryland delivers in the clutch
Rookie’s 56-yard FG beats Broncos
The Patriots scored 20 points in the third quarter — including touchdowns on back-to-back plays — and still needed a last-second field goal from their maligned kicker to grab a 26-23 win over the Broncos Sunday night in Denver.
Rookie Chad Ryland, who has been inconsistent all season and missed two more kicks Sunday, nailed a 56-yarder with 2 seconds left to give Bill Belichick his 333rd career victory.
“It was just go out there and attack it the way I do all my kicks. I have my process, I have my routine, and I have a lot of faith in the guys around me,” Ryland said.
Ryland had missed a 47-yarder just before halftime, and also missed a point-after kick in the third quarter before hitting the game-winner, the longest of his pro career. Ryland was 14-for-22 on field goal attempts this season prior to his winning boot.
It was New England’s fourth victory of the season, and the second this month. After losing five straight from Oct. 29 to Dec. 3, the Patriots have wins over the Steelers and Broncos sandwiched around a loss to the Chiefs.
“Great mental toughness from the whole football team, Chad bounding back,” center David Andrews said.
The victory, coupled with the Cardinals’ loss on Sunday, shifted the Patriots into a tie for the third-worst record in the league with the Commanders (4-11).
The loss was a serious blow to Denver’s playoff chances. Looking to keep pace in the race for an AFC wild-card spot, the Broncos instead fell to 7-8 and need big help over the final two weeks to qualify for the postseason.
Quarterback Bailey Zappe hit 25 of 33 passes for 257 yards and two touchdowns. Receiver Demario Douglas had five receptions for 74 yards, and DeVante Parker had four catches for 65 yards — none bigger than his 27-yard acrobatic catch on a third-and-3 play with 47 seconds left.
That catch put the Patriots into Denver territory. Zappe completed two short passes — to Ezekiel Elliott for 5 yards, and tight end Mike Gesicki for 4 yards — to set up Ryland for his game-winning kick.
Patriots defensive end Christian Barmore had three sacks, all in the third quarter.
The Broncos lost star receiver Courtland Sutton in the first half to a concussion. He was targeted once, then was ruled out after halftime.
Denver got on the board first after a 52-yard punt return set the Broncos up at the New England 25. Five plays later, Javonte Williams ran it in from 3 yards out to make it 7-0.
The Patriots cut it to 7-3 when they started moving the ball early in the second quarter. After a drive highlighted by a 28-yard reception by Jalen Reagor stalled at the Denver 14, Ryland connected from 33 yards.
The Patriots took a 9-7 lead when Elliott caught a 15-yard touchdown pass from Zappe with 9:48 to go in the third quarter, but Ryland clanked the extrapoint try off the upright.
The Patriots then made it 23-7 by scoring on consecutive plays late in the third quarter. After Gesicki’s 11-yard touchdown catch capped a 52-yard, sevenplay drive, the Patriots forced Marvin Mims to fumble on the ensuing kickoff and Cody Davis pounced on it in the end zone.
But the Broncos turned the tables in the fourth quarter, scoring touchdowns on back-to-back possessions, and converting both two-point tries, to tie the game. First, Russell Wilson (25 of 37, 238 yards, 2 TDs) orchestrated a 9-play, 83-yard drive, capped by a 3-yard toss to Lucas Krull, and added a two-point pass to Brandon Johnson to make it an 8point game.
After forcing a three-and-out, Denver went on an 11-play, 78yard march to tie it. Wilson found wideout Johnson on the left side and Johnson raced to the end zone, stepping on the pylon to score from 31 yards out. Then Wilson found Williams for the 2point pass play to make it 23-all with 2:53 to play.