Patriots Find a Way to Finally Beat Broncos

The sign on the Foxboro Stadium wall was prophetic: “When Elway retired it was a sin, but now maybe we can win.”

Two things the Patriots needed--a running game and John Elway’s retirement--came together for the first time in 19 years Sunday and New England defeated the Broncos, 24-23, when Jason Elam missed a 59-yard field-goal attempt with 1:38 left.

“To get it over and done with is huge,” Patriot tackle Bruce Armstrong said.

Craig Morton was the Bronco quarterback the last time they lost to New England, 23-14, in 1980. The Patriots’ 11-game losing streak against Denver began in 1984, the year after Elway was the NFL’s top draft pick.

“Bruce was the only one here for all that,” New England Coach Pete Carroll said. “We worked hard to put the legacy to rest.”

Hard enough to stop a two-game losing streak and improve to 5-2. Hard enough to end Denver’s two-game winning streak and drop the Broncos to 2-5.

Terry Allen ran for a season-high 106 yards and two touchdowns before he left because of a concussion in the fourth quarter. The Patriots gained a season-high 133 yards rushing after totaling only 108 in their last two games.

The Broncos had an opportunity to continue their turnaround without Elway and the injured Terrell Davis and Shannon Sharpe. Brian Griese threw for 316 yards and a touchdown and ran for another, and rookie Olandis Gary ran for 90 yards. But they couldn’t get the Broncos close enough on their last possession.

Elam, who tied the NFL record with a 63-yard field goal last season, connected from 30 yards to cut the lead to 24-23 with 6:10 left. But after the Patriots punted, their defense stopped the Broncos’ last drive at the New England 40.

Elam’s kick landed near the goal line.