New England improves to 4-11.

A 20-point third quarter helped the New England Patriots take a two score lead over the Denver Broncos Sunday night, before a pair of Russell Wilson touchdown passes tied the game late in the fourth quarter. A final drive by Bailey Zappe helped set up a 56-yard field goal by Chad Ryland, in which the rookie split the uprights to clinch a 26-23 victory for the Patriots.

Here’s everything that went down throughout Sunday night’s contest.

Final Score: (4-11) Patriots 26 : 23 Broncos (7-8)

Sunday, December 24, 8:15 p.m. ET | Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO | Broadcast information | Inactives | Game day roster

First Quarter

Bailey Zappe and the Patriots offense started the night with the football after the Broncos won the toss and deferred. They needed just one play for disaster to strike, as pressure beat James Ferentz — who drew the start at left guard — and got to Zappe to force a strip sack.

The Broncos got the ball at New England’s six-yard line after the turnover, where New England’s defense held strong after a near Mack Wilson interception on third-and-goal. Denver kept their offense on the field on fourth-down, where a handoff to Javonte Williams was stuffed for a turnover on downs.

New England took back over at their own two-yard line after the turnover, where two runs to Ezekiel Elliott set up a third-and-seven. From his own end zone, Zappe’s pass to Demario Douglas was off the mark and incomplete.

Denver’s following possession also began in New England territory just past midfield, where two straight runs set up a third-and-six. Russell Wilson took his shot downfield to Courtland Sutton one-on-one with Myles Bryant, but it was the corner who won the matchup to force a punt.

Trent Brown and Atonio Mafi replaced Vederian Lowe and Ferentz on the left side to start the Patriots next drive. Two straight runs for Kevin Harris set up a third-and-one, where a direct snap to the back was stuffed leading to another punt.

Marvin Mims brought a spark to Denver on the punt return taking it 52 yards to New England’s 25-yard line. A pair of first downs then set the Broncos up inside the five-yard line, where Williams plowed through for a touchdown. [Patriots 0 : 7 Broncos]

The Patriots’ offense picked up their first first-down of the game after two short completions to DeVante Parker and Ezekiel Elliott. Then facing a third-and-one, Zappe connected with Pharaoh Brown out of the backfield off play-action for another easy conversion. After a 10-yard sack the following play, Zappe delivered a pretty hole shot down the left sideline to Jalen Reagor for 28 yards. A reverse to Tyquan Thornton and run by Elliott then set New England up at the 20-yard line, where they then faced a third-and-long. Zappe’s pass was complete to Douglas but short of the sticks, leading to a Chad Ryland 33-yard field goal.[Patriots 3 : 7 Broncos]

Second Quarter

Back with the ball, Russell Wilson’s mobility shows as he stepped up in the pocket and kept it himself en route to a 14-yard gain. The next play, Jaleel McLaughlin picked up 12 more yards on the ground before a pass to the back went for 11 additional yards. Pressure then forced Wilson to dump it off to McLaughlin, where Jahlani Tavai was able to force a fumble which was recovered by Jeremiah Pharms.

Taking over at their own 39-yard line after the fumble, New England faced an opening third-and-two. From the shotgun, a handoff to Elliott was stopped short leading to another punt.

Bryce Baringer’s punt started the Broncos’ offense at their now 13-yard line, where Keion White stuffed Denver’s first run for no gain. A screen to Mims then set up a third-and-one where Wilson’s second effort on a QB sneak moved the chains. Two touches for McLaughlin picked up another first-down before an 11-yard pass to Lucas Krull was negated due to an unnecessary roughness penalty. Two quick passes to McLaughin led to a third-and-12, where Wilson was sacked by Mack Wilson — who forced a fumble in the process that Denver recovered.

Zappe found Pharaoh Brown up the seam for 21 yards to begin New England’s following possession. Following the two-minute warning, a quick slant to Douglas went for 13 yards to set them up outside the red area. A short completion back to Douglas and incompletion downfield to Parker set up a third-and-six, in which Zappe escaped pressure but went down short of the sticks. However, a holding penalty on New England instead set up a third-and-16 where a handoff to Elliott picked up just three yards. Ryland’s 47-yard field goal was then pushed wide right.

With 33 seconds left in the half three short completions combined for 24 yards to move Denver across midfield. A spike with two seconds left brought out Will Lutz for a 57-yard field goal which was no good.

Third Quarter

A 31-yard kick return by Mims gave Denver strong opening field position before Christian Barmore quickly got home for an eight-yard sack. On a then third-and-19, Wilson flipped a short pass to Krull leading to another punt.

New England started the second half with a play-action pass where Zappe was able to buy time before hitting Douglas downfield for 41 yards. Zappe went back to the shifty wideout two plays later to move the chains again and set New England up inside the red area. After a short run by Elliott, Zappe found the back in the flat — who hurdled a defender and took it 15 yards for a score. Ryland’s extra point was no good off the left upright. [Patriots 9 : 7 Broncos]

Now trailing, Russell Wilson bought time in the pocket before hitting Brandon Johnson for a 13-yard gain. A short run and then drop by Johnson led to a third-and-eight in which Wilson again moved around the pocket before being sacked by Josh Uche.

Two touches to Elliott resulted in short gains to set New England up with an opening third-and-six. From the gun, Zappe’s pass went off the chest of an open Douglas leading to an incompletion and a punt.

Denver went backwards to start their next possession as a screen lost three yards on first-down. On third-and-13, Christian Barmore got home again to bring down Wilson for a sack.

Bailey Zappe and the Patriots’ offense were set up across midfield, where Zappe dropped one in the bucket downfield to Parker for 30 yards. A holding call on the following play backed New England up before a screen to Thornton set up third-and-nine. Zappe stepped up in the pocket and found Mike Gesicki in the end zone. [Patriots 16 : 7 Broncos]

Marte Mapu forced a fumble on the following kickoff which was recovered by Cody Davis for a touchdown. [Patriots 23 : 7 Broncos]

Denver’s offense stayed in neutral on their next possession, as Christian Barmore got home again on third-down to forcer another punt.

Fourth Quarter

A muffed punt by Myles Bryant was recovered by New England to start their next drive at their own 38-yard line. Two runs by Kevin Harris set up a third-and-six in which Zappe’s pass was throwaway after quick pressure up the middle.

Denver picked up an opening first-down as a check down to Perine picked up 13 yards. Then set up with a fourth-and-one at their own 39, Wilson kept it himself for a conversion. The Broncos then finally connected on a big play as Wilson hit Mims down the right sideline for 47 yards — which was upheld after a Belichick challenge. Facing a then third-and-goal inside the 10, Wilson bought time and lofted a pass to the end zone which was hauled in by Krull. A two-point conversion was successful. [Patriots 23 : 15 Broncos]

Now a one score game with 8:33 remaining, two short completions to Elliott brought up a third-and-seven. Zappe found Reagor as Denver brought pressure, but a low pass resulted in a completion short of the sticks.

A nine-yard completion to Krull and short run by Wilson moved the chains for Denver, before Wilson found Jerry Jeudy for a 15-yard catch-and-run. McLaughlin then took a second-down handoff across midfield to move the chains again. Wilson then uncorked one to Jeudy in the end zone and was nearly intercepted by Shaun Wade, but the ball fell to the turf. Wilson then went back to Jeudy the next play down the field which again was incomplete, before hitting Johnson for 13 yards for a third-down conversion. A Barmore drawn hold backed Denver up, but Jeudy got the yardage back with a 16-yard gain. On third-and-four, the Patriots brought pressure but Wilson hit Johnson — who broke free for a score. The two-point conversion was good to tie the game. [Patriots 23 : 23 Broncos]

Bailey Zappe took the field tied 23-23 with 2:53 left and went backwards as a screen to Elliott was blown up. On third-and-13, Zappe was flushed out of the pocket and picked up two yards on the ground. Bryce Baringer punted back to Denver following the two-minute warning.

After a penalty on New England forced a repunt, Denver started at their own 39 with 1:42 remaining. A blown up screen and pass deflection from Keion White quickly forced a third-and-13, where Wilson again bought time before firing an incompletion.

Zappe retook the field with 58 seconds left at their own 19-yard line. New England started conservative with a handoff to Elliott for six yards. After a Denver timeout, Elliott carried again for no gain. The Broncos stopped the clock again before a third-and-three, where Zappe’s back shoulder ball downfield was caught by Parker for 27 yards to move across midfield. With 18 seconds left and no timeouts, a quick pass to Gesicki and a spike set up a 56-yard attempt — which Ryland split the uprights. [Patriots 26 : 23 Broncos]

A squib quick was fielded by Denver and knelt which left one second left in the game. Wilson heaved one downfield which was knocked down to end the game. [Patriots 26 : 23 Broncos]