Elway, Davis Know How to Beat Patriots

The Broncos have not lost to New England since John Elway arrived in Denver. And since Terrell Davis got there, it hasn’t even been close.

Davis gained 210 all-purpose yards and scored three touchdowns Sunday to lead the Broncos past the Patriots, 34-8. It was Denver’s ninth consecutive victory over New England and the second blowout in a row of the would-be AFC title contenders.

“I really don’t know what it is. I don’t want to try to figure it out,” Elway said of his 9-0 record against the Patriots. “I just want to keep playing the way I’ve been playing against New England.”

In only his second year, Davis is 2-0 against the Patriots, running for 97 yards and a touchdown last season when the Broncos won, 37-3. This year, he gained 154 yards in 32 carries and 56 more on four receptions, caught one touchdown pass and ran for two touchdowns as Denver (10-1) built a 24-0 halftime lead.

“It almost looked like a mirror to last year’s game,” Davis said. “This was an important game for us.”

The Patriots (7-4), who had won four consecutive games and seven of their last eight, hoped for a victory to move them within one game of Denver in the race for the AFC’s best record.

“We were completely outclassed today. We had no chance ever to win the game. I was completely disappointed by the way the team performed,” New England Coach Bill Parcells said.

“I can’t put my finger on why we responded the way we did. Maybe it was the pressure of the big game, or maybe we are just not ready for that. We got our butts whipped.”

The Patriots never recovered from Parcells’ failed gamble on their first possession. Lining up to punt from the New England 32-yard line, punter Tom Tupa threw a pass to linebacker Tedy Bruschi for what would have been a first down, but Bruschi dropped it.

Five plays later, Elway connected with Davis for a 15-yard touchdown to make it 7-0.