The Broncos opened a 10-0 lead at halftime, on a Jason Elam 23-yard field goal midway through the second quarter and a 32-yard touchdown catch by Javon Walker just before the break. Walker added an 83-yard touchdown reception early in the fourth quarter to increase the advantage to 17-0.
In addition to the loss, the Patriots might have suffered a significant personnel blow as running back Corey Dillon (arm) left the game in the second quarter and didn't return. Safety Eugene Wilson (right leg) also was sidelined after pulling up on the punt return unit in the second half, and didn't return.
The Patriots are now 31-7 at Gillette Stadium since 2002, with the Broncos the only team to beat them twice over that span. The home crowd showered the Patriots with boos at the end of the first half.
Quarterback Tom Brady, who finished 31 of 55 for 320 yards with one touchdown, dropped to 1-5 as a starter against Denver. The 55 attempts tied Brady's career high (Nov. 10, 2002 at Chicago) and were necessary because of a stagnant running game. After showing promise in the running game in the first two weeks of the season, the team finished with 50 yards on 21 carries (2.4 average). The Patriots were also 4 of 16 on third down, struggling to maintain drives.
Belichick said the team needs to do better in every facet.
``Whatever you want to list, whatever you want to ask about, can we do it better? The answer is yes," Belichick said. ``Whichever one it is -- special teams, offense, defense, running game, passing game, penalties."
The Patriots' lone score came with 9:13 left when Brady hit Doug Gabriel with an 8-yard touchdown strike in the back of the end zone.
It was one of the team's few highlights.
``We're disappointed with our performance," said outside linebacker Rosevelt Colvin. ``They're a good football team, made it to the AFC Championship game last year, and the coaching staff is good and they have good, quality players. You expect them to come out and play, but you don't expect us to come out and not play as well as we'd like to."
A crucial turning point came in the second quarter after Elam's field goal.
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