After a big loss to the Lions last week, the Broncos’ playoff hopes are razor thin entering Week 16. Stick here for live updates and analysis as Denver takes on the Patriots at Empower Field at Mile High.
Live updates
Pre-game updates
Inactives (4:40 p.m.): No surprises among the Broncos inactives:
- OLB Nik Bonitto
- QB Ben DiNucci
- S JL Skinner
- TE Nate Adkins
- OLB Thomas Incoom
- C Alex Forsyth
- DL Elijah Garcia
— Parker Gabriel
Week 16 (4:15 p.m.): Merry Christmas Eve and happy holidays to everyone joining the live blog tonight. It’s a chilly evening at Empower Field but the wind is light, the playing surface looks great and the Broncos playoff hopes rest in the balance against New England. While the scoreboard watching (and holiday meal consumption) swings into full gear, we’ll have you covered with all the latest from around the league and from Broncos/Patriots tonight.
So far today, the Broncos have received good results from other teams, most notably Cleveland dominating Houston. Tampa leading Jacksonville, 30-0, is a good result for the Broncos, too. Denver wants Miami to win the AFC East, but also wants the Dolphins to beat Buffalo in Week 18, so perhaps its better if Dallas comes back from a halftime deficit and wins there.
Of course, the best-case scenario would have been for the Chargers to hold on to their lead last night against the Bills, but that didn’t happen. It’s all contingent, of course, on Sean Payton’s team winning its final five games. — Parker Gabriel
Scouting report (9 a.m.): Check out how the Broncos match up with the Patriots in Ryan McFadden’s scouting report.
Game predictions
Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Broncos 27, Patriots 17
It may not feel like a comfortable, two-score victory all the way through. But Denver wants to make the playoffs and New England wants a shiny, new quarterback at the top of the 2024 draft. Why deliver coal to the stocking for both when instead everybody can wake up happy on Christmas morning?
Ryan McFadden, beat writer: Broncos 20, Patriots 10
If Denver’s defense wants to get the sour taste out of its mouth after allowing 42 points to the Lions, Christmas Eve would be the perfect time to do so. The Patriots rank near the bottom in every offensive category. Broncos Country will be gifted with a win, but there’s still more work to do to make the playoffs a reality.
Sean Keeler, columnist: Broncos 19, Patriots 9
Twas the night before Christmas, and all through Empower / The coaches on both sides felt decidedly dour / Big Russ looked painful, but Zappe looked worse / And Jeudy’s three drops made Santa’s brain hurt / But I heard him exclaim, as he headed toward Berkeley / “Merry Christmas to all … except for The Hoodie!”
Mark Kiszla, columnist: Broncos 3, Patriots 2
Bah, humbug! Football on Christmas Eve is an unholy intrusion by the NFL. Sorta like if grumpy Bill Belichick showed up at your holiday party bearing only Cheez-Its and asking where you keep the good bourbon.
Broncos-Patriots NFL Week 16: Must-reads
Broncos coach Sean Payton on being in the playoff hunt: “It’s addictive”
The stakes are high for the Broncos in their matchup against the New England Patriots on Sunday, but head coach Sean Payton enjoys it. In fact, he craves these pressured situations.
“It’s addictive,” he said. “As great as it feels when you win and all the things that go into it, it’s like the opposite when you don’t. It’s like misery — you can’t wait for the next weekend.”
If the Broncos want to have any shot at the postseason, they have to win the final three games, starting with their home matchup on Christmas Eve. At 7-7, Denver has a 22% chance of making the playoffs, according to the New York Times postseason simulator. Ryan McFadden reports. Read the full story.
Broncos defense confident it can get back to dictating play after bad night vs. Lions: “We have to in order to win these next three games”
Vance Joseph’s defense powered the Broncos’ surge back into contention.
The offense and special teams had its moments with timely touchdown drives or field-tilting returns, but wins followed once Denver’s defense transformed from one of the NFL’s worst groups into one of its best.
That run, of course, came to a screeching halt Saturday night in Detroit when the Lions ripped the Broncos for 42 points, 448 yards and 29 first downs.
Joseph’s group won’t see another offense with that kind of firepower over its final three weeks. But it also knows another dud will likely end the Broncos’ playoff hopes, especially considering its backed by an offense that’s been league average, Parker Gabriel reports. Read the full story.
Sean Payton preparing for Patriots head coach Bill Belichick’s attempts to make Broncos “play left-handed”
For Broncos head coach Sean Payton, it’s no secret that defenses led by New England coach Bill Belichick are good at eliminating an opponent’s best offensive weapon.
Payton saw it first hand when he was coaching the New Orleans Saints in 2013. Tight end Jimmy Graham was arguably one of the best pass catchers in the league that year, finishing with 1,215 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns. But against New England, Graham was shadowed by former cornerback Aqib Talib and ended up being a non-factor.
Sure, the Patriots are one of the worst teams in the league and the Broncos are 6.5-point favorites in Sunday night’s matchup. But Payton is not taking any chances against Belichick and his formidable defense, Ryan McFadden reports. Read the full story.
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