SB Nation Boston - Patriots 31, Broncos 21: Tom Brady gets the better of Peyton Manninghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48863/boston-fave.png2012-10-08T19:35:50-04:00http://boston.sbnation.com/rss/stream/32122232012-10-08T19:35:50-04:002012-10-08T19:35:50-04:00Pats win despite injuries to Hernandez, Hightower
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<p>The Patriots continued their winning ways despite a couple of injuries to key players.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New England Patriots</a> have had to deal with the injury bug early in the season, but that did not stop them from pulling out a big 31-21 win over the <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Broncos</a> in Week 5. While the team did not suffer any notable injuries in the game, many of their star players were either out or limited on the field.</p>
<p>Tight end <span>Aaron Hernandez</span> did not play on Sunday despite being listed as questionable. He has missed the last few weeks with an ankle injury and could possibly return next week. Starting safety <span>Steve Gregory</span> did not play nor practice all week as he continues recovering from a hip issue. Rookie linebacker <span>Dont'a Hightower</span> was inactive for the first time in his short career with a bad hamstring.</p>
<p><span>Rob Gronkowski</span> did not have a great game and it appeared he was hobbled a bit by his hip. The star tight end has not looked like himself for the Patriots the past couple weeks, but he continues to play regardless. Wide receiver <span>Julian Edelman</span> also missed the game with a hand issue.</p>
<p>New England will look to get healthy in a hurry before traveling to Seattle in Week 6.</p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/patriots/2012/10/8/3476090/nfl-injury-report-patriots-week-5Scott Coleman2012-10-08T16:50:54-04:002012-10-08T16:50:54-04:00Patriots shine in 31-21 win over Broncos
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<p>Pats Pulpit, SB Nation's Patriots blog, reflects on another big win for New England in Week 5.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> continued their winning ways against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> in Week 5, winning relatively easily by a score of 31-21. While the Pats ended up winning by just 10 points, they were in complete control offensively and held Denver to just one touchdown until late in the third quarter.</p>
<p>SB Nation's Patriots blog, Pats Pulpit, was very pleased with the win. As they <a href="http://www.patspulpit.com/2012/10/7/3471928/patriots-vs-broncos-what-we-learned-from-new-englands-31-21-win" target="_blank">explained in their game reaction</a>, no individual player really had a bad game.</p>
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<p>When it's all said and done, the 31-21 victory over the Broncos was a pretty well-rounded victory and was ultimately a complete game for this group.</p>
<p>I suppose you could nitpick cornerback <span>Devin McCourty</span> for allowing some big plays or even find fault with tight end <span>Daniel Fells</span> for dropping a couple of passes-but overall, this was the most well-rounded victory on the season for the Patriots.</p>
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<p>It really is tough to find a blemish from Sunday. The Patriots turned the ball over just one time, forced Denver into three takeaways, gained 444 yards of total offense and set a franchise record with 35 first downs. <span>Tom Brady</span> continued to tear up opposing secondaries, while <span>Stevan Ridley</span> had another week with triple-digit rushing yards.</p>
<p>New England will head to Seattle next weekend for an intriguing road matchup with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seahawks</a>.</p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/patriots/2012/10/8/3475372/patriots-broncos-2012Scott Coleman2012-10-08T08:02:05-04:002012-10-08T08:02:05-04:00Patriots vs. Broncos: Five things we learned
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<p>Tom Brady took home his ninth victory in thirteen tries against his arch-rival Peyton Manning this Sunday. Check here to find out five other important things that we learned from the action down in Foxboro. </p> <p>For the first time since noon on September 16, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> are above .500 with a 3-2 record, following their 31-21 victory over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> this Sunday.</p>
<p>Here are five things we learned from the 13th installment of <span>Tom Brady</span> vs. <span>Peyton Manning</span>.</p>
<p><b>1) New threads, same Peyton Manning</b></p>
<p>Sunday afternoon was the first time the Patriots would get the chance to take on Peyton Manning since his arrival in the Mile High City. Despite the change of uniform and a whole new offense, Manning still looked like himself. Good ol' 18 completed 31 of his 44 pass attempts on Sunday for a total of 345 yards, a trifecta of touchdowns and zero interceptions, posting an otherworldly 116.2 quarterback rating. If not for a pair of ill-advised miscues by running back <span>Willis McGahee</span>, Manning may have led his team into position to tie or even beat the Patriots on Sunday. It was shades of November 2010 at Gillette Stadium when the Pats held a 31-14 fourth quarter lead over Manning and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/">Colts</a>, but nearly saw it all completely evaporate before being bailed out by a <span>James Sanders</span>' interception. Make no mistake about it, Manning has still got it, and don't be surprised if you see his Broncos back in the playoff hunt this winter.</p>
<p><b>2) <span>Devin McCourty</span> (still) can't cover</b></p>
<p>Well, I think I've harped about this one enough for now, though it was definitely deserving of a spot on this list. I'll just let you decide. You watched the game, you saw the blown coverages and the pass interference penalty that led directly to Denver's first touchdown. Now, I'm not saying he's not a useful player, because Devin McCourty is quite the athlete and could be used in lots of special teams situations. Also, perhaps they should give him another try playing safety where he wouldn't be relied upon in man-to-man coverage, which quite clearly isn't one of his strong points.</p>
<p><b>3) <span>Wes Welker</span> remains an invaluable weapon in the Patriots' offense</b></p>
<p>For the first few weeks of the season, fans across New England began to fret when it seemed like their favorite wide receiver was being "phased out" of the offense, in favor of the younger and less expensive Julian Edelman. However, after both Edelman and playmaking tight end <span>Aaron Hernandez</span> were beset by injuries, Welker has seen his number of catches increase significantly. His thirteen grabs for 104 yards were the biggest part of the New England offense on Sunday, firmly assuring everyone that he can -- and should -- be a major part of this offense as the season moves forward.</p>
<p><b>4) Offense gets the job done late to seal victory</b></p>
<p>Despite <span>Stevan Ridley's</span> costly late-game fumble, the Patriots were lucky enough to be given the ball back after <span>Rob Ninkovich</span> stripped McGahee on a redzone run just as the Broncos were looking to cut into a 10-point New England lead. When the Patriots took over with about three and a half minutes left on the clock, they only needed a couple of first downs to secure a much-needed home field victory. Fortunately for the near-70,000 screaming fans in attendance, the Patriots were able to put away the Broncos with a series of first down plays, capped off by a Wes Welker reception on third down and four. This is most definitely a great sign for the Patriots, who have had trouble closing teams out late in games. In fact, its been one of the largest common denominators in all of New England's losses over the past few seasons. If they can build off their momentum from Sunday's winning effort, the Patriots should be in good shape, moving forward.</p>
<p><b>5) Bravo, Indianapolis. Colts shock Packers 30-27</b></p>
<p>Yes, I know that this has nothing to do with the events that transpired down at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, but figured that an amazing story like this was most certainly worth telling. After head coach Chuck Pagano was diagnosed with leukemia early in the week, the world of the Indianapolis Colts was absolutely rocked. On Sunday afternoon, with their new "Chuckstrong" slogan firmly in tow, the Colts toppled one of the NFL's greatest teams, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a>, overcoming what looked to be an insurmountable 21-3 deficit. While a victory on a football field will never reach the paramount importance level of the battle coach Pagano is currently fighting inside the walls of an Indianapolis hospital, perhaps it was enough to bring a smile to his face in a time where moments of joy are few and far between. It was an honorable effort by the Colts, one that they should certainly be proud of. Bravo, Indianapolis, bravo.</p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/2012/10/8/3471780/patriots-vs-broncos-five-things-we-learned-tom-brady-peyton-manning-wes-welkerBenjamin Woodward2012-10-07T19:31:13-04:002012-10-07T19:31:13-04:00Patriots 31, Broncos 21: Brady bests Manning
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<p><span>Peyton Manning</span> outperformed arch rival <span>Tom Brady</span> on the stat sheet, but it was the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New England Patriots</a> who got the better of Manning and the <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Denver Broncos</a>, holding into a 31-21 win at Gillette Stadium on Sunday afternoon. New England (3-2) is over .500 for the first time since its Week 1 against Tennessee.</p>
<p>New England set a new franchise record with 35 first downs and racked up 444 yards of offense in the process. Brady completed 23-of-31 passes for 223 yards and one touchdown while <span>Wes Welker</span> grabbed 13 passes for 104 yards and a score and <span>Stevan Ridley</span> rushed for 151 yards and one touchdown on 28 carries.</p>
<p>Manning finished 31-of-44 with 345 yards and three touchdowns for Denver, which topped 400 total yards. <span>Demaryius Thomas</span> had a monster game with 188 receiving yards on nine catches. <span>Willis McGahee</span> had 51 rushing yards on 14 carries but cost his team dearly in the fourth quarter, dropping an easy pass on third and short and fumbling the ball in Patriots' territory to end the comeback.</p>
<p>New England heads out west to take on the <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Seattle Seahawks</a> next Sunday.</p>
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<th class="td-left"> <span>Final - 10.7.2012 </span> </th> <th>1</th> <th>2</th> <th>3</th> <th>4</th> <th>Total</th>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="loss"> <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> </span></td>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="win"> <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> </span></td>
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<td>14</td>
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<p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><span>Complete Coverage ></span></span></p>
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https://boston.sbnation.com/2012/10/7/3470860/patriots-vs-broncos-final-score-tom-brady-peyton-manning-wes-welkerGethin Coolbaugh2012-10-07T18:47:15-04:002012-10-07T18:47:15-04:00Patriots Vs. Broncos: New England Leads 31-14
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<p>After taking a 17-7 lead into the half, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> were looking to build more momentum when the third quarter began. Unfortunately, a three-and-out, sparked by an ill-advised sack on third-down would give the ball over to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Broncos</a> less than a minute and a half into the third quarter. </p>
<p>The Patriots would then stop the Broncos just shy of the fifty-yard-line, forcing a <span>Britton Colquitt</span> punt that would go through the back of the endzone for a touchback. </p>
<p>On their ensuing possession, the Patriots would pick up an incredible first-down conversion on 3rd & 17 with an off-tackle run to <span>Danny Woodhead</span>. This would lead to another successful drive for the New England offense, capped off by a <span>Tom Brady</span> quarterback sneak into the endzone for a touchdown and a 24-7 lead. </p>
<p>Not long after getting the ball back, <span>Peyton Manning</span> would be stripped by linebacker/defensive end hybrid <span>Rob Ninkovich</span> with the ball being recovered by big <span>Vince Wilfork</span>, setting the Patriots offense up deep inside Denver territory. A few plays later, running back <span>Stevan Ridley</span> would punch it in for a touchdown, securing the Patriots a commanding 31-7 lead. </p>
<p>Peyton would have his say before the quarter came to a close, leading his team down the field in short order, ending with a touchdown pass to <span>Eric Decker</span>. The drive spanned 90 yards in just three minutes. </p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/2012/10/7/3470564/patriots-vs-broncos-score-update-tom-brady-peyton-manning-stevan-ridleyBenjamin Woodward2012-10-07T17:50:16-04:002012-10-07T17:50:16-04:00Patriots Vs. Broncos: New England Leads 17-7
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<p>Less than sixty seconds into the second quarter, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">Patriots</a> would see their 7-0 opening frame lead completely wiped away. </p>
<p>On a critical third down play, cornerback <span>Devin McCourty</span> took yet another costly pass interference penalty to set the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Broncos</a> up on the Patriots' one-yard line. There would be no argument from the Patriots' sideline as it was probably the most obvious instance of pass interference that I've seen in quite some time. Not once during the play did New Engand's third-year corner ever look back, locate the ball attempt to make a play. He simply got up in the face of the receiver and took him down when the ball arrived. At this point, I'm not sure why McCourty is still being put on the field. Your guess is as good as mine, folks.</p>
<p>On the next play from scrimmage, <span>Peyton Manning</span> would execute a beautiful play-action fake to set up tight end <span>Joel Dreessen</span> all alone in the back of the endzone for a touchdown to tie the game at 7. </p>
<p>Brady and the Pats would follow that up with a tremendously executed drive down the field to regain the lead. <span>Brandon Lloyd</span> would make another important grab to get the ball down inside the one-yard-line of the Broncos. After the Patriots hurried back to the line, reserve tailback <span>Shane Vereen</span> would take it to pay-dirt for a 14-7 New England lead. </p>
<p>The Patriots would drive down the field once again on their next possession before being halted inside the five-yard-line and being forced to kick a field goal. <span>Stephen Gostkowski's</span> extra-point-like field goal was right down the middle, securing the Patriots a 17-7 lead as we entered halftime. </p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/2012/10/7/3470338/patriots-vs-broncos-score-update-tom-brady-wes-welker-peyton-manningBenjamin Woodward2012-10-07T17:05:29-04:002012-10-07T17:05:29-04:00Patriots Vs. Broncos: New England Up, 7-0, After 1
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<p><span>Tom Brady</span> and <span>Peyton Manning</span>. For the thirteenth time in NFL history, two of the greatest quarterbacks of this generation got together to duke it out this Sunday afternoon in Foxboro, MA. Like a heavyweight title fight, expect these two legends to go back and forth all evening. </p>
<p>It would be Manning who got the ball first after his <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Broncos</a> won the coin toss. Just as no. 18 began to drive his team down the field, defensive back <span>Sterling Moore</span> would force a fumble on young Denver receiver <span>Demaryius Thomas</span> to give the ball to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">Patriots</a>. Unfortunately for the 66,000-plus fans in attendance at Gillette Stadium, Tom Brady wasn't able to lead his offense to a score on their first possession, either. </p>
<p>After converting a huge 3rd & 8 in the red zone with a nine-yard pass to former Bronco <span>Brandon Lloyd</span>, the Patriots would score the game's first touchdown. Brady would find an open <span>Wes Welker</span> for an eight-yard score to give New England a 7-0 lead with three minutes to go in the quarter. </p>
<p>As the game's opening quarter came to a close, the Broncos were in the midst of a drive deep into Patriots' territory. </p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/2012/10/7/3470110/patriots-vs-broncos-score-update-tom-brady-peyton-manning-wes-welkerBenjamin Woodward2012-10-07T15:44:58-04:002012-10-07T15:44:58-04:00Aaron Hernandez, Dont'a Hightower out for Patriots
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<p>Aaron Hernandez and Dont'a Hightower will miss Sunday's game between Denver and New England, with Knowshon Moreno highlighting the Broncos' inactives.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> have announced their inactive players for the Week 5 matchup in Foxboro, and the Patriots will be without a pair of big targets for <span>Tom Brady</span>. <span>Aaron Hernandez</span> returned to practice this week, but will not be ready to play on Sunday afternoon. Julian Edelman was ruled out earlier in the week.</p>
<p><span>Dont'a Hightower</span> was a game-time decision, but he has not recovered enough from his hamstring injury to take part against the Broncos. Other Patriots inactives include <span>Jake Bequette</span>, <span>Steve Gregory</span>, <span>Michael Hoomanawanui</span> and <span>Matt Tennant</span>.</p>
<p>The Denver Broncos don't have the same sort of weapons as New England out with injury, but <span>Knowshon Moreno</span> will be inactive for the third time this season. In addition to Moreno, the Denver inactives include <span>C.J. Davis</span>, <span>Caleb Hanie</span>, <span>Duke Ihenacho</span>, <span>Steven Johnson</span>, <span>Sealver Siliga</span> and <span>Julius Thomas</span>.</p>
<p>Kickoff is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET, and the game can be seen on CBS.</p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/patriots/2012/10/7/3469664/patriots-vs-broncos-inactives-nfl-week-5Stephen Schmidt