MOSS RECORDS FIRST CAREER INTERCEPTION
Randy Moss lined up deep on defense during Denver's final play of the first half and intercepted a QB Kyle Orton pass to secure New England's 17-7 first half lead. It is his first career interception and second pass defensed of his career. He recorded his first pass defensed in 2007 at Buffalo (11/18/07). It is the first interception that Denver has thrown in 2009.
MAYO RETURNS
Jerod Mayo, the 2008 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, returned to action after missing three games with an injury. Midway through the first quarter, Mayo forced a fumble on a tackle of Denver RB Knowshon Moreno that was recovered by S Branon McGowan at the Denver 45-yard line. That play helped set up New England's first touchdown. Mayo finished the game with six total tackles.
PATS GET A TAKEAWAY IN 13 STRAIGHT GAMES
The New England Patriots have had at least one forced turnover in 13 straight games, the third longest current streak enerting the Denver game, behind Oakland (15) and the NY Jets (12).
GOSTKOWSKI SETS CAREER-HIGH WITH 53-YARD FIELD GOAL
K Stepen Gostkowski's 53-yard field goal in the first quarter is a career-high, besting a 52-yard field goal he had vs. Chicago on November 26, 2006. It is tied for the fifth longest in franchise history. Adam Vinatierei set the franchise record with a 57-yard field goal at Chicago (11/10/02).
GOSTKOWSKI TAKES OVER FOURTH PLACE ON ALL-TIME PAT LISTGostkowski's extra point in the first quarter moved him out of a tie with Tony Franklin (163) and into sole possession of fourth place on New England All-Time PAT list. He entered the Denver game tied four fourth place with Tony Franklin on the Patriots All-Time PAT list with 163.
WELKER ABOVE AVERAGEWes Welker finished with eight receptions for 86 yards. He has avareged 7.1 receptions per game as a member of the Patriots. Welker has had six or more receptions in 17 of his last 19 regualr-season games.
NINKOVICH RECORD FIRST CAREER SACK
Rob Ninkovich registered his frist NFL sack on a two-yard sack of QB Kyle Orton in the second quarter.
BENJAMIN WATSON SCORES HIS THIRD TOUCHDOWN
TE Benjamin Watson connected with QB Tom Brady on his third touchdown of the 2009 season with a seven-yarder in the second quarte. He had two in the season-opener against Buffalo. He had two touchdowns last season.
PATRIOTS OFFENSE SCORES FIRST TOUCHDOWN PASS AGAINST DENVER IN 2009
The Patriots eight-yard scoring pass from QB Tom Brady to WR Wes Welker was the first touchdown pass against Denver in 2009. The Broncos entered the game ranked second in the NFL in total defense and allowed just two rushing touchdowns and no passing touchdowns in the first four games. Brady added a seven-yard touchdown to TE Ben Watson in the second quarter.
PATRIOTS SCORE 17 AGAINST DENVERNew England scored scored 17 points against a Denver defense that was ranked second and was allowing just 6.5 points per game through the first four games of the 2009 season. New England's 17 first half points were more than Denver allowed in a single game in 2009.
