Denver running back C.J. Anderson broke loose through the snow for a game-winning, 48-yard touchdown run, and the Denver Broncos rallied to beat New England 30-24 in overtime on Sunday, handing the Patriots their first loss of the season.
Denver's defence stopped quarterback Tom Brady and the Patriots on the first overtime possession, and Anderson shook free from a couple of Patriots defenders en route to the decisive touchdown.
Denver quarterback Brock Osweiler, making his second career start in place of the injured Peyton Manning, was 23 of 42 for 270 yards, including a touchdown pass to wide receiver Andre Caldwell in the final moments of regulation.
Osweiler was intercepted once.
Brady completed 23 of 42 for 280 yards, connecting with running back Brandon Bolden and tight ends Scott Chandler and Rob Gronkowski for touchdowns.
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Gronkowski (six catches, 88 yards) took a hard hit trying to make a catch with just under three minutes remaining and was carted off the field with what could be a nasty knee injury.
Osweiler gave Denver (9-2) their first lead of the night, 24-21, when he completed a four-yard touchdown pass to Caldwell with 1:09 remaining in regulation.
That was enough time for Brady to drive the Patriots to the Denver 29-yard line. With no time left, kicker Stephen Gostkowski drilled a 47-yard field goal amidst the snow flurries to send the game into overtime.
New England appeared to gain control of the game when Brady lofted a pass downfield to Bolden, who slipped past a tackler at the 30 to turn it into a 63-yard catch and run for a touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter.
The Patriots led 21-7.
A special teams mistake got Denver back in the game. Chris Harper fumbled a punt, and Broncos linebacker Shaquil Barrett recovered at the New England 36.
That led to Anderson making a 15-yard touchdown run, which pulled Denver within seven, with 12:34 remaining.
Osweiler drove the Broncos to the Patriots' three but after a third-down pass fell incomplete in the end zone, Brandon McManus came on to kick a 21-yard field goal with 6:12 to play, setting the stage for a frenetic finish.
