The New England Patriots are finding multiple ways to score in the second half of their Week 16 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Christmas Eve.
Pats quarterback Bailey Zappe , who entered Sunday night's game having struggled in the second-half, led the Pats on a five play, 42-yard drive, highlighted by a 30-yard strike to receiver DeVante Parker to put the Pats deep into Broncos territory. Zappe capped the drive with an 11-yard touchdown pass to tight end Mike Gesicki to give the Pats a 16-7 lead, after a Chad Ryland extra point.
On the ensuing drive, Broncos return man Marvin Mims muffed the catch, and eventually fumbled the ball. Pats rookie Marte Mapu popped the ball forward for special teams ace Cody Davis to recover it at the one-yard line, and into the end zone for the touchdown.
Just moments after trailing 7-3 at halftime, the Pats had scored 20 unanswered points to take a 23-7 lead. However, Denver responded with a nine-play, 83-yard drive, complete with a two-point conversion, to cut New England's lead to 23-15 with just over eight minutes remaining in regulation. Denver once again found the end zone with an 11-play, 78-yard drive -- and their second two-point conversion of the night, to tie the game at 23 with 2:53 left in regulation.
The Pats are playing on Christmas Eve for the eighth time in team history, sporting a 5-3 record in those games. New England enters this game on the heels of a 27-17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The Broncos also suffered a 42-17 demoralizing defeat at the hands of the Detroit Lions.
In addition to safety Jabrill Peppers, receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, running back Rhamondre Stevenson and tight end Hunter Henry — who were previously ruled out due to injuries, the Pats are without the services of defensive end Sam Roberts (healthy inactive) and special teams captain Matthew Slater, who has been battling a hamstring injury. Slater, whose streak of 100 straight regular-season appearances ends with Sunday night's designation, misses his first game for the Pats in six seasons.
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