NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS VS. DENVER BRONCOS, AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Quarter 3
The Broncos will receive the second half kickoff.
The kickoff went out of the end zone for a touchback.
Denver ball at their own 20 yard line.
1st and 10: It's noted before the play that Aqib Talib is still hurt and out of the game. Knowshon Moreno gains just a yard on a run inside.
2nd and 9: Peyton Manning found Eric Decker on a comeback on the outside for a 10 yard gain but multiple flags were thrown on the play. Holding on the offense, pass interference on the offense, and pass interference on the defense. Everything is offset and they repeat the down.
2nd and 9: Play-action pass from Manning is complete to Decker in the same area of the last play, this time successful with no yellow on the field. That went for 18 yards.
1st and 10: Moreno up the middle for six yards.
2nd and 4: DeMaryius Thomas was wide open crossing the middle of the field and he picked up a chunk of yards after the catch. Another first down. That gives him 4 catches for 97 yards on the day.
1st and 10: Montee Ball rushes off the left side and picks up four yards.
2nd and 6: They ran a little hitch to the outside, a screen to Decker and he picked up the first down.
1st and 10: Moreno up the gut gains just three.
2nd and 7: Manning founds Thomas for a short gain on the inside, about four yards. That's 11 completions in a row for Manning and over 100 yards receiving for Thomas.
3rd and 3: They had to burn a timeout before running this play. Manning went to Julius Thomas on a quick inside hitter for the first down. That makes Denver 6/9 on third down today.
1st and 10: Moreno found a hole and cut through for seven yards off the right side.
2nd and 3: Manning went for J. Thomas in the end zone but badly overthrew him.
3rd and 3: Montee Ball got the carry on an inside draw and picked up five. That's an easy first down.
1st and Goal: Manning found D. Thomas for an easy touchdown on an inside slant. They're really racking up the numbers now. The extra point was good.
Broncos - 20
Patriots - 3
The ensuing kickoff went out of the end zone for a touchback.
New England ball at their own 20 yard line.
1st and 10: Tom Brady found Aaron Dobson for a six yard catch on a slant.
2nd and 4: Another quick hitter goes to Shane Vereen but he's stopped short of the first down marker, just a three yard gain.
3rd and 1: Brady, with good protection, slid to the right and found Austin Collie for a big first down.
1st and 10: Steven Ridley cut up the field on an inside run for five yards. Denver linebacker Paris Lennon was injured on the play.
2nd and 5: Danny Amendola dropped a pass over the middle. Looked like he was worried about taking a big shot from a defensive linemen who dropped back in coverage.
3rd and 5: Brady found Collie on the outside for the first down for 12 yards. That takes New England up to the Denver 47 yard line.
1st and 10: They fake an end around to Julian Edelman and throw deep to Dobson on a double move but Brady overshot everyone with the throw. That's happened a lot today.
2nd and 10: Vereen took a handoff on the right side for a tough nine yards.
3rd and 1: Brady quick snapped the ball and went with a QB sneak to get the first down.
1st and 10: Ridley went outside for eight yards on a run off the right.
2nd and 2: Ridley tried to cut back inside but was tripped up at the line of scrimmage.
3rd and 2: Brady found Vereen out of the backfield for what looked to be a first down despite a tipped ball at the line of scrimmage but the running back took a big hit and dropped it. They'll go for it on fourth down here instead of attempting a 47-yard field goal.
4th and 2: Brady was sacked by Terrence Knighton for a turnover on downs. Only two sacks in this game total, both on Brady in big spots to force a field goal attempt on third down and that play just now.
Denver ball at the 39 yard line.
1st and 10: Manning found Ball out of the backfield for a loss of two.
2nd and 12: J. Thomas came out of the backfield and was left alone to catch a quick pass from Manning before turning up field to gain 14 yards.
1st and 10: Manning went for a big throw down the field and D. Thomas made the catch all the way down to the 19 yard line. That's over 300 yards for Manning, over 130 yards for Thomas.
1st and 10: Ball cut up field for 8 yards.
That's the end of the third quarter.
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