- 6/1/2025
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00:00:00Today's game in Foxboro being billed as a possible preview of the AFC Championship, Denver, with the NFL's best record against the AFC's top scoring machine, the Patriots.
00:00:26A sellout crowd, fans paying as much as $500 a ticket to see two explosive offenses.
00:00:33Strong arm John Elway brings the Broncos in on a gallop with tight end Shannon Sharp, who seemingly is unstoppable, and the 1,000-yard rusher Terrell Davis.
00:00:43The Patriots and Drew Bledsoe have won 7 of 8.
00:00:46On the ground, Curtis Martin's runs will keep Denver's defense honest.
00:00:50And watch out for Terry Glenn, the NFL's top rookie receiver on the outside, and big Ben Coates on the inside.
00:00:57A beautiful day, a sellout crowd, the biggest game of the year in the AFC, and that means you talk about quarterbacks.
00:01:04And we have two of the biggest here today, in Drew Bledsoe and John Elway.
00:01:08Drew Bledsoe, only 24 years old.
00:01:10Bill Parcells says he has matured.
00:01:13That's the difference in him, and what's impressive, in every pressure situation this year, when they have to score, he has come through and led this team to a touchdown.
00:01:20John Elway, 36 years old, has lost none of the skills.
00:01:25He is still a great quarterback, but the difference now is he manages the game so well because he knows he has talent around him, and he doesn't have to do it all himself.
00:01:33Yeah, and it's got playoff environment, doesn't it, Paul?
00:01:35It really does.
00:01:36You know, it's not like a throwback to the old AFL, Dick.
00:01:38You know, it wasn't uncommon in the old AFL to score between 35 and 45 points and lose the ballgame, and I expect to see that happen here.
00:01:45You know, I'm looking at these guys to throw upwards of 80 passes and upwards of 70 points in this ballgame.
00:01:50I'm really looking forward to this one.
00:01:52And for the Denver Broncos, best record in the NFL, but they're going against a hostile crowd and a team that has won seven of the last eight.
00:02:01Let's go out, play our game, play Denver Broncos football.
00:02:06We'll go back 10 and 1.
00:02:07Oh, yeah.
00:02:07Broncos on three.
00:02:08One, two, three.
00:02:09Broncos!
00:02:10Let's go, baby.
00:02:141891.
00:02:15A couple of weeks ago, it severely hampered him last week against Chicago.
00:02:18He had to throw the ball away a lot, and more importantly, he couldn't run.
00:02:21Well, I spoke to John after the pregame warm-ups.
00:02:23He said his leg is feeling much better.
00:02:25He's going to be able to run today, and he will be able to get out of harm's way.
00:02:28So we will be seeing the old John Elway, even though he's not quite 100%.
00:02:32Dick?
00:02:33All right, Jim, and New England will receive.
00:02:36Jason Elam has it teed up.
00:02:38Troy Brown and veteran Dave Meggett at the other end.
00:02:41With the wind at his back, the ball comes down to Meggett at the two.
00:02:46Veteran from Towson State finds a little scene, and off to the 23-yard line where Rondell Jones makes the tackle.
00:02:53Here comes young Drew Bledsoe in his fourth year out of Washington State.
00:02:57The men who will provide him time are Bruce Armstrong, the pro bowler, Roberts, the veteran,
00:03:04Wula Ball, Rucci, and Max Lane.
00:03:06In the backfield, Curtis Martna, pro bowler a year ago as a rookie.
00:03:10Sam Gash, the blocker.
00:03:11Sean Jefferson has the speed.
00:03:13Terry Glenn, a marvelous rookie.
00:03:15Great speed.
00:03:15And Ben Coates, one of the, if not the top tight end in the NFL.
00:03:20And it's Coates in motion.
00:03:22Let's hope as Bill comes out throwing and picks up a yard to Curtis Martin.
00:03:28Ray Crockett on the left corner makes the tackle.
00:03:32Defensively in white, the Denver Broncos read this way.
00:03:34Williams, Lodish, Michael Dean, Perry.
00:03:37Alfred Williams leads the NFL with ten sacks.
00:03:40Mobley, the rookie from Cootstown State.
00:03:42Aldridge, Romanowski, the big pickup from San Francisco.
00:03:45Crockett and young Torrey James, the rookie from LSU at the corners.
00:03:49And Braxton and Steve Atwater at safety.
00:03:56Draw play at second and nine.
00:03:58And it does not fool Michael Dean Perry, who invades and hits Martin for a loss.
00:04:03You know, Phil, if I'm on defense at Denver Broncos and I'm looking at this football team,
00:04:07the one thing that I forget about.
00:04:08Now, that's a draw play there, but it could have been a pass.
00:04:10I forget about, not forget about the run, but I don't look at run.
00:04:13I concentrate on one thing.
00:04:14Getting to Drew Bledsoe.
00:04:16Pass defense.
00:04:16Yeah, that's right.
00:04:17Get to the quarterback.
00:04:18New England's offense today, they need to avoid mistakes early.
00:04:21They have struggled getting off the slow starts and be ready for a Bronco defense
00:04:25that does a lot of things different from what they've seen so far.
00:04:28Third down, 11.
00:04:29And Vincent Brisby, number 82, makes his first appearance of the entire year.
00:04:33But now with a hamstring since this summer.
00:04:36The throw is from Jefferson.
00:04:38No, Terry Glenn.
00:04:39And it's Glenn tackled just shy of the sticks by Steve Atwater.
00:04:44It was third and 11.
00:04:45Glenn got 10, but not enough for the first down.
00:04:49So on fourth and one, out comes the punting team.
00:04:52Well, it's a little screenplay to the outside.
00:04:54An excellent block by Dave Meggett, number 22.
00:04:57Comes out and kicks it out.
00:04:58Dave Wallabaw, the center, comes out.
00:05:00But what Steve Atwater, number 27,
00:05:01his strength enables him to come out
00:05:04and pull Terry Glenn down short of the first down.
00:05:07Well, that's 54th catch of the season.
00:05:10Tom Tupo from Ohio State, the third-string quarterback,
00:05:13and punter having a terrific season.
00:05:1545 and a half.
00:05:17And he comes out with a fake punt.
00:05:19The throw is complete.
00:05:20And the first down at the 50.
00:05:23Oh, he dropped the ball.
00:05:24He did not hold on.
00:05:26Dave Meggett.
00:05:26So, Bill Parcells gambles early with a fake punt.
00:05:32He had the man open.
00:05:33And Tupo's throw as the quarterback right on the money,
00:05:37but Meggett unable to hold on.
00:05:39Tom Tupo, next quarterback from Ohio State,
00:05:42has John Burke open.
00:05:44No, number 54, Bruschi, down the field.
00:05:46It's a perfect throw, but a good job by Torrey James coming in
00:05:50and taking the ball away from him.
00:05:52He wants number 20.
00:05:53Comes in with his hands and knocks it out.
00:05:55You know, I really question the call
00:05:56because you did have Meggett out there, Dick.
00:05:58And when you look at him, Meggett was wide open.
00:06:00Why not throw the receiver?
00:06:01So, taking over at the 32, the Broncos.
00:06:04A big break for them.
00:06:05Terrell Davis on the toss.
00:06:07Inside the 30-yard line, Todd Collins makes the tackle.
00:06:11Let's go back again to the fake punt try.
00:06:14If you're going to take a chance,
00:06:15watch Bruschi come out here and do this.
00:06:17And then Dave Meggett, the protector, goes short.
00:06:19It's up to the quarterback or the punter, in this case.
00:06:22Tom Tupac, to make the decision where to throw the football.
00:06:26Well, you know, when you look in the middle there,
00:06:28right at the 40-yard line, you see Meggett wide open.
00:06:30Throw to a receiver, a known receiver, and not to a lineman.
00:06:33Take the sure thing.
00:06:35Bruschi, a linebacker, rookie from Arizona,
00:06:38unable to hold on to the first down pass.
00:06:41It's Davis again behind some blocking.
00:06:43And look at the power as he's inside the 20.
00:06:46And a first down at the 19.
00:06:48Lawyer Malloy, the rookie from Washington at safety,
00:06:51made the tackle.
00:06:52John Elway's offensive line.
00:06:54Zimmerman, Schlereth, Nalen,
00:06:56who played here at Foxboro High School.
00:06:59Habib and Thompson in the backfield.
00:07:02Terrell Davis leading the league in yards from scrimmage.
00:07:06Craver, Miller, and McCaffrey outside.
00:07:08Shannon Sharp, who has just been brilliant again,
00:07:11has nine touchdown catches at tight end.
00:07:13In the red zone on their third play from scrimmage.
00:07:19And it's 3-0 for Davis.
00:07:21And again, he powers for close to 5 yards
00:07:24before Todd Collins and Lawyer Malloy can make the tackle.
00:07:28Three carries, 18 yards for Davis.
00:07:30Against this defense, Willie McGinnis leads with 8 sacks.
00:07:33Wheeler, Sangapulitelli, and Jones, the front four.
00:07:37The backers are Collins, Johnson, and Saab.
00:07:40The two outside backers changes from the start of the year.
00:07:43Reynolds and Jimmy Hitchcock at the corners.
00:07:46Malloy and Willie Clay at safety.
00:07:50Second down and six at the 19.
00:07:59Again, the give is to Terrell Davis.
00:08:02And for the first time, the Patriots able to stuff it.
00:08:05Collins, first man there,
00:08:08to plug the hole with plenty of help.
00:08:09So it'll be a third down and about five and a half.
00:08:13And if I'm the Denver Broncos, all right,
00:08:14they've run the ball four straight times now.
00:08:16But when John Elway and the offensive coordinators,
00:08:19and they take a look and see this defense,
00:08:21he's going to start throwing the football
00:08:23because there is places to throw it.
00:08:24That's right.
00:08:25In New England's defense,
00:08:26they need to pressure their quarterback.
00:08:28They've been terrible at it all year long.
00:08:30They've got to take some chances.
00:08:32Get after John Elway because if you don't,
00:08:34he's going to pick you apart with his talent on offense.
00:08:37Elway from the shotgun.
00:08:39Good protection.
00:08:41Throws underneath to Davis.
00:08:42What a move by Terrell Davis.
00:08:45Touchdown.
00:08:45See how simple it is if you just throw the ball, Nick?
00:08:51You can run to Davis.
00:08:52Davis handled that ball on every single play.
00:08:56Fifteen yards on the touchdown,
00:08:58and what a move he put on the New England defender,
00:09:01Jimmy Hitchcock.
00:09:04Well, John Elway talks about
00:09:06what's the difference in this offense compared to years past.
00:09:09He says outlets.
00:09:10It gives me plenty of them.
00:09:11He looked down the field.
00:09:12Nobody's open.
00:09:14Drop it to the short receiver.
00:09:15Terrell Davis, excellent job getting in the end zone.
00:09:19Jason Elam's try for point makes it seven to nothing,
00:09:23so the failure on the fake punt
00:09:26costs New England early,
00:09:28and Terrell Davis does it all.
00:09:30Four running plays and a touchdown reception.
00:09:33Seven-nothing Broncos.
00:09:40It's brought to you by the New Dive.
00:09:42It's about change.
00:09:43By IBM, solutions for a small planet.
00:09:46By New York Life, the company you keep.
00:09:50And by Hertz, for business, for pleasure.
00:09:53Nobody does it exactly like Hertz.
00:09:54Seven-nothing Broncos, and Terrell Davis, the second-year man from Georgia,
00:10:07started his collegiate career at Cal State Long Beach,
00:10:10recruited by George Allen.
00:10:12What a player.
00:10:12Elam kicks it off.
00:10:15Less than five minutes gone in the opening quarter.
00:10:17Short to Megan inside the 10.
00:10:20Megan.
00:10:22Derrick Daniels spinning outside and fighting to the 33-yard line.
00:10:26Let's go back to the touchdown.
00:10:29Elway to Terrell Davis, the first touchdown reception of the year for the halfback.
00:10:34Here's Terrell Davis.
00:10:35He's going to come across here and catch the ball.
00:10:37But watch the other receivers come across the field.
00:10:39John Elway looks left and down the field.
00:10:42Nobody's open.
00:10:43Doesn't want to take a chance in the scoring area.
00:10:45Goes to his last receiver.
00:10:47Terrell Davis coming underneath.
00:10:49He makes somebody miss.
00:10:50This is what makes this offense so special,
00:10:53giving the quarterback outlets somewhere to throw the ball when it gets in trouble.
00:10:57That West Coast offense that we've seen take San Francisco to so many Super Bowls.
00:11:03Let's all play action on first down.
00:11:05Guns it down.
00:11:06And intercepted.
00:11:07Steve Atwater picks it off for Denver.
00:11:10Atwater at the 50.
00:11:11Chase from behind by Brown.
00:11:13Forces the fumble.
00:11:14Atwater knocks it out of bounds.
00:11:16It's Denver's Bulls.
00:11:18Steve Atwater's playing in the spot where a linebacker was, would be.
00:11:23And he does a wonderful job of seeing play action.
00:11:26And he recognizes it.
00:11:28And what's his responsibility?
00:11:29The turn and look for in cuts.
00:11:32Watch Steve Atwater, number 27, run back.
00:11:34He looks for the receiver.
00:11:36Turns.
00:11:36There's the football.
00:11:38Don't you like what he did after he got the ball off the field?
00:11:40He made sure he had control of the ball before he turned back upfield.
00:11:43The only thing he was concerned about was the football.
00:11:45Here the ball gets away.
00:11:46Then he gets it back.
00:11:47And Terry Glenn hustling to force the fumble.
00:11:50But Atwater alert.
00:11:52Able to bat it away toward the sidelines.
00:11:55First down at the 42.
00:11:57Leading 7-0 early.
00:12:00Elway runs it complete at the 30.
00:12:02And down to the 23 goes Ed McCaffrey.
00:12:05Who, like Elway, attended Stanford University.
00:12:10So that fake punt really already is a momentum shifter in this game.
00:12:14Well, Tom Tupa was a quarterback.
00:12:16But look at here.
00:12:16Here's Megan here.
00:12:18And I want to show you something what happens.
00:12:20And here's Tupa.
00:12:21You've got to throw to the guy that you know that can catch the ball.
00:12:23Donabasa, wait a minute.
00:12:25Right here.
00:12:25Freeze it.
00:12:26Look at here.
00:12:26Here's Donabasa here.
00:12:27And he turns his back.
00:12:28Megan is there.
00:12:29He is wide open.
00:12:30If you throw the ball, not only does Megan pick up the first down, but he might even have touchdown.
00:12:34Steady goes to Bruschi.
00:12:37And it's knocked away by Torrey James.
00:12:39First down for Elway.
00:12:41Inside the 25.
00:12:42Steps up.
00:12:43Throws off balance incomplete.
00:12:45That was to Anthony Miller.
00:12:46Covered in the flat by Ted Johnson.
00:12:49Mark Wheeler finally got through from his defensive tackle spot to pressure Elway.
00:12:54But you talk about that fake punt not to keep going back to it.
00:12:56But if you're going to take a chance in big games like this, you do it early.
00:13:00So your team has a chance to overcome them if they don't work.
00:13:03And Bill's, Harsell's favorite saying is, hey, big games, you've got to make these decisions.
00:13:08They're not for the faint of heart.
00:13:09You live with them and don't worry about it.
00:13:11You just go on.
00:13:14Second down and 10.
00:13:19Davis.
00:13:21Good blocking on that left side.
00:13:23It's not able to get him out of bounds at the 15-yard line where it'll be third down and a couple.
00:13:28Dick, let's go back to just not to beat this thing into the ground about the fake punt.
00:13:32But Parcells said something to us yesterday.
00:13:35If we have an advantage, it would be in the kicking game.
00:13:37And I said, we looked at him and said, well, you got something trick going on?
00:13:40No, I don't have anything trick going on.
00:13:42We didn't just do this.
00:13:43What did he do the first time of fake punt?
00:13:45So he knew.
00:13:45He lied.
00:13:46He lied to you.
00:13:46I'm going to take it.
00:13:47We're going to see him again.
00:13:47And he lied.
00:13:48And I'm going to tell him about it.
00:13:49So, with two possessions, obviously, Denver enjoying the advantage of starting on New England's side of the field.
00:13:59Third and two.
00:14:02Fake to Davis.
00:14:03Elway.
00:14:05Underneath.
00:14:06Complete to McCaffrey.
00:14:07McCaffrey spinning to the 10.
00:14:09It'll be first and goal.
00:14:10Willie Clay wrestles him down.
00:14:13Phil, let's just play action with one receiver in the pattern.
00:14:16A good time to call it.
00:14:18It's third and short yardage.
00:14:20They're trying to make the New England defense commit to the run.
00:14:23Hey, Terrell Davis is having a good day.
00:14:25Fake it to him.
00:14:26Look, nobody's open.
00:14:27But look at Eddie McCaffrey get off the ground after blocking again.
00:14:31The last receiver.
00:14:32That outlet.
00:14:33Good job of John Elway finding the open receiver.
00:14:36Tight end Shannon Sharp doing a good job of protecting Elway.
00:14:40First and goal.
00:14:43Davis.
00:14:44Five.
00:14:45Davis touchdown.
00:14:49Midway through the first quarter to Earl Davis.
00:14:52And the Denver Broncos have a two-touchdown lead.
00:14:56You don't hear enough about this Denver offensive line.
00:14:59Tom Nalen, Mark Schlereth, and Gary Zimmerman.
00:15:02The left side, they just demolished the defensive line of the New England Patriots.
00:15:08They hit him, they engage him, Schlereth pulling around, they push it out.
00:15:12Terrell Davis reads it, and what a hole for a running back to run through.
00:15:17Willie Clay had a shot at him, couldn't bring him down.
00:15:19Ooh, he hooks that one, but good.
00:15:22Elam just does squeeze that one through.
00:15:24It's 14 to nothing.
00:15:26TD, Terrell Davis, ninth touchdown of the year.
00:15:30Atwater set it up.
00:15:31Inside its armrest are storage compartments.
00:15:40The map podcast.
00:15:41NFL on NBC.
00:15:46Terrell Davis, a sixth-round pick.
00:15:49University of Georgia, he had eight touchdowns total last year.
00:15:52This is his ninth this season.
00:15:54Powering his way behind some solid blocks.
00:15:57And Denver leads 14-0.
00:16:00Elam kicks off again with 7.46 left in the first quarter.
00:16:04This time, Troy Brown returns.
00:16:0825-yard line.
00:16:12Well, the one thing I'm seeing on this New England defense so far,
00:16:15and it's early in this ballgame, folks,
00:16:18is we now know one thing about Denver.
00:16:20We know why they're 9-1, the way they're playing.
00:16:21But the other thing about New England, they haven't tackled anybody.
00:16:24They have not made an honest tackle yet.
00:16:26Well, we know why teams are getting 400 yards a game on them
00:16:29in the last seven games.
00:16:30Because the defensive line, Paul, has a tough time for New England
00:16:34just getting off the blockers and making tackles in the line of scrimmage.
00:16:38And, of course, they struggle rushing the passer, too.
00:16:40Plenty early, but this crowd needs something to cheer about
00:16:43in support of the Patriots.
00:16:47Over the middle.
00:16:49Big Ben Coates has the first down out of the 38-yard line.
00:16:5313-yard throw by Bledsoe.
00:16:55Well, you talk about one of the best tight ends in the game today.
00:16:58And if you want to jumpstart your offense and get it started,
00:17:01the guy to go to is the big tight end.
00:17:03He's a big target.
00:17:04He's got one-on-one coverage with a linebacker, Romanowski,
00:17:06and he makes the play.
00:17:08The Patriots' initial first down.
00:17:11Excuse me.
00:17:12Aldridge.
00:17:12We're going to give Romanowski credit for that mistake.
00:17:14That's right.
00:17:15Lock it, lock it, lock it.
00:17:16Keep Myers in motion.
00:17:20Bledsoe down the middle.
00:17:22Wide open as Myers.
00:17:23And he's to the Denver 35.
00:17:28This New England offense, they just seem to perform so well.
00:17:31And the quarterback, Drew Bledsoe, too.
00:17:33Once they get behind and get in pressure situations,
00:17:36they do a good job of executing.
00:17:38And Keith Myers came in motion, just goes up the seam.
00:17:42Drew Bledsoe reads him all the way, makes a perfect throw.
00:17:45And when you have all day to throw the ball,
00:17:47it makes it very easy to find an open receiver.
00:17:50That was a beautiful-looking ball, though.
00:17:5213 yards first to Coates, and now 27 to Myers.
00:17:56And he comes out throwing on first down.
00:17:58This one to Martin, who's drilled at the 30,
00:18:01a gain of about five.
00:18:03Romanowski, the tackler.
00:18:04Well, Steve Atwater, number 27 of the Denver Broncos,
00:18:10is by far asked to do more than any defensive back
00:18:13or person in football.
00:18:17Moves up to the line of scrimmage, makes an eight-man box.
00:18:19He covers a tight end man-to-man.
00:18:21He goes out and doubles on the wide receiver.
00:18:23And sometimes he plays zone.
00:18:25And then something he does very well besides tackler runners,
00:18:28he's a good blitzer.
00:18:30Already with an interception and a tackle
00:18:32that stopped the first drive for New England.
00:18:34Now, second that.
00:18:36Cut down by John Mobley after a short gain.
00:18:40He's a couple of yards shy of a first down.
00:18:46In the very first series of the game,
00:18:48Atwater would just turn 30.
00:18:50This looked as if it had first down written on it.
00:18:52But Terry Glenn runs into Atwater,
00:18:55who hits like a linebacker.
00:18:57And that, of course, on the next possession,
00:18:59Atwater timing his move in front of Sean Jefferson.
00:19:05And that set up another Terrell Davis score.
00:19:07Denver does a great job of using all of his physical skills,
00:19:10letting him play near the line of scrimmage and move around
00:19:13and use his talent.
00:19:14Plus, the defense is really designed for a safety like that.
00:19:16Third and two.
00:19:18And Curtis Martin has the first down.
00:19:21You know, this is early in the game.
00:19:24And I'm not the master of the obvious.
00:19:26But, I mean, New England has to get some points here.
00:19:28I mean, they just cannot come away empty in this drive
00:19:32to keep this team up.
00:19:34Good job by Keith Byers on Alfred Williams
00:19:37to help open the hole for Martin.
00:19:41Bledsoe, by the way, is...
00:19:42Every pass has been caught.
00:19:45Five out of six with a sixth, of course,
00:19:47the interception by Atwater.
00:19:48On first down, good protection.
00:19:56Throws underneath the mark at the 23,
00:19:59a gain of only two.
00:20:01Alan Aldridge, whose dad played in the NFL as well,
00:20:04Cleveland and Houston, plays the tackle.
00:20:06What a difference this makes
00:20:07when you have the time to throw the football.
00:20:10Just take a look at this.
00:20:11When Bledsoe comes back, Phil,
00:20:13he is all by himself.
00:20:15I mean, there's no rush from the Denver Broncos defensive line.
00:20:17And the offensive line is doing a terrific job.
00:20:20Here it is.
00:20:21You have time to pick out whoever you want to throw to.
00:20:25Second down, eh?
00:20:27Almost picked off by Romanowski
00:20:29as he looked for Sam Gash in the flat.
00:20:33Dick, there was nobody on Sam Gash.
00:20:35He was out there.
00:20:36Romanowski, I don't know whether he baited him or not
00:20:38because Romanowski is out here on the right-hand,
00:20:41on the left-hand side.
00:20:42But why don't you look at Romanowski?
00:20:43There's nobody on Gash.
00:20:45Well, that's right.
00:20:45Good recognition by Drew Bledsoe and Sam Gash.
00:20:48But, no, he wasn't baiting him.
00:20:49He's not that good.
00:20:51He'd be baiting him.
00:20:51They weren't out trying to make those plays.
00:20:53Just didn't put quite enough air on it
00:20:55to get over Romanowski's head.
00:20:57What an addition he has gotten.
00:20:58Some would say the best free agent pickup
00:21:00of anyone in the NFL this year.
00:21:03Next to Alfred Williams.
00:21:04He had a play of the head.
00:21:05That's right.
00:21:05Two for two.
00:21:06Bledsoe goes long.
00:21:07Man open.
00:21:09Incomplete.
00:21:10And almost intercepted as Glenn had it.
00:21:13It bounced off his chest.
00:21:14And Ray Crockett very nearly picked it off for Denver.
00:21:18Well, Glenn got tied up about the five-yard line
00:21:20before he could make his break to the outside.
00:21:22Now, I don't know if that's a legal chuck holding
00:21:24or what do you want to call it.
00:21:25But when Glenn is down, he's already free now.
00:21:27But look at this.
00:21:28This ball is thrown short.
00:21:30He comes back.
00:21:31It's up in the air.
00:21:31He still has a chance at it.
00:21:32Look at that.
00:21:33Almost makes the edge.
00:21:34Watch Glenn after the ball comes back up.
00:21:36I think it's not on the ground
00:21:37because the official didn't blow it dead.
00:21:39Look at that.
00:21:39He almost makes the play.
00:21:42Adam Vinatieri will try a 40-yard field goal attempt
00:21:45for the first New England points.
00:21:51And it is no good.
00:21:53He just misses to the right.
00:21:56Plenty a leg.
00:21:57But Vinatieri, who was in his first year
00:22:00out of South Dakota State, 19, now 420,
00:22:0327.
00:22:05So it has been a disappointing start for New England.
00:22:09But for Patriot fans, what's new?
00:22:11They trailed 21-0 against the Jets last week.
00:22:16You're going to see the dirt that Vinatieri takes.
00:22:18He told us yesterday he does not like to take any sod.
00:22:21Watch the dirt come up.
00:22:23He hits it.
00:22:23The ball's up in the air.
00:22:24And he pushes it right.
00:22:25And that's why he did.
00:22:27Just missed by about a foot to the right.
00:22:29So it remains 14-0.
00:22:31Denver takes over at the 31-yard line
00:22:34with 3.44 left in the opening quarter.
00:22:39Fake to Davis.
00:22:40Elway on the roll.
00:22:42And throws it away to Shannon Sharp.
00:22:46Willie Clay was there.
00:22:47Right near Jim Gray.
00:22:49Well, Dick, down here in this north end zone where Terry Glenn dropped the ball,
00:22:52if you look right back over his shoulder, it's directly into the sun.
00:22:56Now, a lot of guys in the pregame warm-ups were using those face masks.
00:22:59Glenn did not have any glasses or a face mask on.
00:23:01Not saying that the sun was an excuse, but it could have been a factor.
00:23:04Dick?
00:23:04Yeah, that visor, the shield, that Bill Parcells anticipated.
00:23:09Knowing it was going to be a clear day today that it would be difficult,
00:23:12the 1 o'clock start, for receivers looking back from that left end zone.
00:23:17Second and 10, Elway.
00:23:19Into the flat.
00:23:20Completes to the tight end, Dwayne Carswell.
00:23:23And Carswell, rarely the target for Elway,
00:23:26has his seventh catch of the year.
00:23:28And it's near a first down.
00:23:29You said it on a touchdown to Terrell Davis.
00:23:32This guy has so many outlets now, Phil, it's scary.
00:23:36Not only does he have a great running game, but look at this.
00:23:38That is not the primary target.
00:23:39No, it wasn't.
00:23:40And he's so comfortable in this offense.
00:23:42And John Elway, the last three or four years,
00:23:44really, he's a different quarterback.
00:23:46And the Patriots, 8-0, so he likes playing here and against his team.
00:23:51New England hasn't beaten Denver since 1980.
00:23:54Three years before Elway arrived, Terrell Davis.
00:23:58Plows to the 46, a gain of four.
00:24:01Mike Jones and others on the tackle.
00:24:04Dick, did you, when you're just looking at Terrell Davis right there,
00:24:06did you see how patient he was?
00:24:07I mean, he just waited.
00:24:09He knew this is where the play was called.
00:24:11This is where the hole is supposed to be.
00:24:12So I'll just be patient, and I'll go up inside and pick up four.
00:24:15Remember what he told us, too, though.
00:24:17You don't break it outside, because Alex Gibbs, the offensive line coach,
00:24:20says if you break it outside, he will address you in those film sessions.
00:24:24That's why he has patience.
00:24:25Second in the NFL in Russian, behind Jerome Bettis, the Steelers.
00:24:34Elway goes long for Miller, flagged down as Ricky Reynolds covering Miller.
00:24:39And that could be interference against the Patriots.
00:24:46Well, the Patriots came with a blitz that time.
00:24:48If they want to get to this offensive stop, but they're going to have to take some chances.
00:24:53Johnny Greer.
00:24:55Illegal chuck against Reynolds.
00:24:57That will be less damaging in yardage.
00:25:00Illegal contact.
00:25:01Twenty-one defense.
00:25:04First down.
00:25:06Ricky Reynolds, because of the blitz, is in man coverage against Anthony Miller.
00:25:11And you've got to be a little frightened when Anthony Miller, he was going to do a double move,
00:25:15an out-and-up, and it pulled Ricky Reynolds just enough for him to get contact down the field.
00:25:19But that could have been a 21-0 Denver lead.
00:25:23Instead, it's just a five-yard penalty, automatic first down to the 49 of New England.
00:25:29You know, that's one thing that people don't talk enough about.
00:25:31There are some times in the game when you take a penalty, it's a smart penalty.
00:25:35Offensive linemen, when they grab a guy and haul him down, when they're on the way unimpeded to the quarterback,
00:25:40where you can put your quarterback out, that is a good penalty.
00:25:43It's a 10-yard penalty, but it's a good penalty.
00:25:45You save your quarterback.
00:25:47Here, Reynolds, I think you're right, Dick.
00:25:49He saved a touchdown.
00:25:52Well, three possessions for Denver.
00:25:55Three times in New England territory.
00:25:582.18 left in the first quarter.
00:26:0014-0.
00:26:03No way up first down.
00:26:05The pump fake.
00:26:06Now deep down the minute.
00:26:08And it is knocked away from Rod Smith.
00:26:11Good coverage by Lawyer Malloy.
00:26:13This rookie from Washington at safety has really drawn the high praise of Bill Parcells.
00:26:19Oh, and he deserves praise right there.
00:26:21He is fooled at the beginning.
00:26:23Down the middle of the field, Rod Smith.
00:26:26Lawyer Malloy had moved to his left.
00:26:29Saw John Elway look back the other way, and he makes a good job, a good decision,
00:26:33in turning and getting to the football.
00:26:35And if he doesn't get there, Hitchcock's beating for a touchdown.
00:26:39Elway not happy.
00:26:40Molloy almost with his first professional interception.
00:26:44Second and ten.
00:26:46Davis to the 45.
00:26:49Word will be third and six.
00:26:52Zangapulateli in on the tackle for the Patriots.
00:26:55Dick, this is why the Denver Broncos, one of the reasons why they're nine and one.
00:27:00Not only do they throw the ball in the first down, but you come back at second and ten,
00:27:03and look what they do up in the middle.
00:27:04They have enough confidence in that offensive line to run the football on second and ten.
00:27:09Well, that's, of course, for the years we saw Bill Walsh and George Seifert and San Francisco do the same.
00:27:18Run on passing downs for other teams.
00:27:20There come the Patriots.
00:27:26No way, throwing long for Miller.
00:27:29Incomplete and no flag.
00:27:32Ricky Reynolds there for New England.
00:27:34And for the first time, the Broncos will have to punt.
00:27:37Well, again, the New England Patriots take a chance.
00:27:41They send just about everybody on the blitz.
00:27:44Anthony Miller singled up with Ricky Reynolds again.
00:27:47And this time, Ricky Reynolds, look at him, very patient.
00:27:50Doesn't look back until he knows the ball is in the air.
00:27:53And Anthony Miller is making a move towards it.
00:27:56Could have called double penalties.
00:27:57Either one of those guys were hitting each other.
00:27:59Tom Rowan to Dave Megan.
00:28:03Rowan hangs it high.
00:28:04Megan, third catch at the nine-yard line.
00:28:09Timeout with one out of 19 left in the opening quarter.
00:28:13Denver by 14.
00:28:19A truck's life is filled with slings and arrows.
00:28:24Welcome back to Foxborough.
00:28:26Ray Perkins, the offensive coordinator, former head coach in the league with the Giants.
00:28:30And the Patriots starting consistently in their own end.
00:28:36Abbott again trailing 14-0.
00:28:40Harry Glenn, he just has such wonderful foot action.
00:28:44He runs so smoothly, deceiving how quick and fast he is.
00:28:49And he is fast and he, for a rookie, has just come in.
00:28:52And Drew Bledsoe says even as a rookie, he has made probably less mental mistakes than anybody else in the receiving core.
00:29:01Glenn leading all NFL rookie receivers in catches.
00:29:05Started today with 53 and has two more.
00:29:0855, he's already broken the Patriots rookie record.
00:29:13Curtis Martin on first down gets about four.
00:29:18Former Stanford man.
00:29:19The university seems to come up often here.
00:29:22Of course, they had Plunkett back in those days.
00:29:24And Randy Bataha, 1971.
00:29:27Caught 51 passes, a rookie.
00:29:31And Glenn went flying by him.
00:29:32He's on course for about an 80-cat season.
00:29:35I see the Curtis Martin, Terrell Davis difference.
00:29:41And Davis with all the big numbers so far.
00:29:45On second and six.
00:29:47Incomplete in one of those long ricochets that make every coach nervous.
00:29:59Look at that 1995 draft of running backs.
00:30:03Look at those names.
00:30:05Williams, so I finally get to Curtis Martin, the 74th player pick.
00:30:09A lot of chances to find Terrell Davis.
00:30:12Oh, 196th pick.
00:30:14Okay.
00:30:14Look what I found.
00:30:17Oh, my.
00:30:23Oh, man, the quarterback forgot the snap count.
00:30:26Alfred Williams was in there like a shot.
00:30:28You know, when you look at that list of running backs, there were some names in there that I haven't even heard of anywhere, let alone try to find him today.
00:30:37Watch Drew Bledsoe, the quarterback.
00:30:39He gives a hard second count, and he moves with it.
00:30:41He faked himself out.
00:30:43You know, it always used to kind of embarrass me to walk up to the line of scrimmage.
00:30:47I lean over to the center and go, what's it on?
00:30:50Because, you know, you're thinking about so many things.
00:30:52The quarterback, every once in a while, you are going to forget the snap count.
00:30:54What's it on?
00:30:55Third and the 11th for Bledsoe.
00:30:59He's already thrown the ball 11 times.
00:31:00Hit from behind.
00:31:02Has he down?
00:31:02Yes.
00:31:04That'll be down by contact.
00:31:06The first sack.
00:31:06Alfred Williams, 11th of the year.
00:31:09Williams, who played, of course, drafted by Cincinnati last year in San Francisco, and he said, am I happy?
00:31:16Oh, he is.
00:31:16Oh, he is.
00:31:16What makes him such a good pass rush?
00:31:19And look at that swim over.
00:31:20He's got such long arms, and Max Lane says that's the problem, trying to protect the quarterback.
00:31:24His long arms, he gets into you, he gets around you.
00:31:28The end of the first quarter.
00:31:2914-0 Denver, you're watching the NFL.
00:31:32In the AFC, Dan Marino leads the Dolphins against Eddie George and the Oilers.
00:31:37Or Jerry Rice and the 49ers host the high-scoring Ravens.
00:31:42Game 2, coming up next on NBC.
00:31:47Welcome back to Foxboro.
00:31:4814-0 as we open the second quarter.
00:31:50Tupa had his goal line in punt formation.
00:31:52The big question is, Paul, is it another fake?
00:31:55Yeah.
00:31:56Okay, let me, let me, yeah, no, he will not fake this, I promise.
00:32:00See that?
00:32:01I'm telling you.
00:32:01Wow.
00:32:02See, Phil, that's why we got him.
00:32:03I'll tell you, he gives those great insights.
00:32:05Thanks, Paul.
00:32:06Thank you very much.
00:32:06Rod Smith back at the 40.
00:32:13Delivers a low liner.
00:32:14That's returnable.
00:32:1445, 50, Smith, 40, and finally knocked out of bounds by Tupa at the 32-yard line.
00:32:2443-yard punt, 25 on the return.
00:32:27Let's look ahead next Saturday at the special time of 12.30 Eastern.
00:32:33The tradition of Notre Dame football returns to NBC Sports.
00:32:36Lew Holtz, perhaps in his final year, goes for his 100th win as head coach at Notre Dame
00:32:41as his Irish battle of the Scarlet Knights of Rutgers.
00:32:44Rutgers-Notre Dame next Saturday, 12.30 Eastern, right here on NBC.
00:32:48In the blue shirt, Jack Elway.
00:32:53Any time as a head coach in the collegiate ranks?
00:32:55John's father, do you think that he doesn't live through every play?
00:32:58Oh, it must be agonizing.
00:33:00In fact, they threatened to kick him out of the press box in Denver if he didn't quit cheering
00:33:04on the Bocos.
00:33:06Terrell Davis just burrowing himself through tacklers inside the 25 to the 24.
00:33:11And now some scattered boos arising here at Foxborough.
00:33:16I like what John Elway said to us last year about his father, Jack.
00:33:20He says, now, Dad, he says, you know, as a professional athlete, I don't think you can ever really
00:33:25be honest with yourself and say when you lose, and I want you to do me a favor.
00:33:28When I start to lose it, please tell me it's time to get out.
00:33:31So, John, I think you can lay safe, and it's going to be a couple more years down the road
00:33:35before you lose it.
00:33:37Second down and only one as Davis gets the ball again.
00:33:41And he just not only quit, great moves.
00:33:43He's got the power.
00:33:45He seems to be the complete back and another first down.
00:33:48Again, I'm going to go back to watching this guy run, Terrell Davis.
00:33:52When he runs and they call a play to a hole, Phil, he goes to that hole.
00:33:57You know, look at this.
00:33:58When you see him run, here's where this play is called.
00:34:01Right here.
00:34:01He goes right up in the hole because he believes that his offensive line, they are going to block
00:34:06for him, and they do.
00:34:08It is an underrated line.
00:34:10Zimmerman, Shalareth, Nalen, Habib, and Thompson.
00:34:15This time, they're trapped into the backfield.
00:34:17Willie McGinnis makes a defensive stop and hands Denver a rare loss.
00:34:25Well, you'd like to give the Denver offensive line a little more credit, but Alex Gibbs, their
00:34:29coach, has this rule of no publicity allowed by the lineman.
00:34:33In fact, he wouldn't even talk to us yesterday either because they have that rule, but a
00:34:38good job that time by Willie McGinnis.
00:34:41He's the pass rusher for the Patriots, and so far today, he's one of the few that stopped
00:34:45in the run, too.
00:34:47Second down, 11.
00:34:50All right.
00:34:51Fakes, and then back over the middle.
00:34:53What a play to Sharpen, a first and goal at the seven, the eight-yard line.
00:34:58Ted Johnson makes the tackle.
00:34:59This is one of those you draw up in the dirt.
00:35:01You fake left, fake right, tight end delay.
00:35:04Watch Shannon Sharp.
00:35:05Got to be a good actor.
00:35:06They're unblocking well.
00:35:07Then he releases up the field.
00:35:09Ted Johnson, number 52, was fooled by the double screen look that created the hole for
00:35:14Shannon Sharp.
00:35:15You're really, look at that way.
00:35:17You fake, you fake like you're going to throw left.
00:35:18Then you come back, and you have time to fake like you're going to throw right.
00:35:21And then that play is called.
00:35:22It is designed to go to Sharp.
00:35:24Sharp's 65th catch of the year.
00:35:26He leads Denver.
00:35:27First and goal.
00:35:29Davis looking forward.
00:35:30His third touchdown has about four, almost five on that first down carry before Todd Collins
00:35:37can bring him down.
00:35:38Dick, the thing that is so impressive about Denver on offense, they're making it look too
00:35:45easy.
00:35:45I mean, it just, and I, again, we talked about New England's defense.
00:35:49In the last seven games, given up over 400 yards a game, plus they're giving up over 300
00:35:55yards passing.
00:35:56But look at the Denver Broncos.
00:35:57When you've got a good running team, you know what you can do with it.
00:35:59And it just makes Elway so much better.
00:36:03And Bledsoe as well with some terrific numbers in the red zone this year.
00:36:07Gary Kubiak, who was drafted in the same year, 1983, as John Elway, was his backup for many
00:36:14seasons.
00:36:14Now calls the play as the offensive coordinator.
00:36:17As timeout called by Denver.
00:36:2011-39 remaining in a Denver first half.
00:36:24Bledsoe is brought to you by Genuine Chevrolet, the cars more Americans trust.
00:36:31By Gateway 2000, personalized computers shipped factory direct.
00:36:36By Coors Light, proud partner of the John Wayne Cancer Institute and their search for
00:36:41a cure.
00:36:42And by Radio Shack, you've got questions, we've got answers.
00:36:49Well, the great enthusiasm for the Patriots here in New England.
00:36:52And Bantam here in the first half by the winningest team in the NFL, the Broncos were
00:36:57played up to their reputation, looking for a 21-0 lead, second and goal at the two.
00:37:04Bills stopped at the one.
00:37:09Tired defensive right side of the Patriot line to deny third and goal.
00:37:14Just keep giving it to Davis.
00:37:18You're right, Paul.
00:37:19I mean, it's third down, and if they get to the one-yard line,
00:37:21I would have to think they'd drive forward on fourth down, too, the way they're running
00:37:25the football game.
00:37:27No gain on that play.
00:37:28It's still at the two.
00:37:33I kick a field goal.
00:37:34You know why?
00:37:35I love coach.
00:37:37McCaffrey and Miller to the bottom of your screen.
00:37:39Blitz on.
00:37:41Trouble by Davis on the handoff.
00:37:43Who's got it?
00:37:44Terrell Davis able to pick up the ball and go in to the score.
00:37:52Davis now with—boy, that's a tough way to score.
00:37:55Bounce it right back into your own lap, and he's got his third touchdown of the first half.
00:38:00He had seven all year.
00:38:01Coming right at you.
00:38:02Davis drops the ball, bounces it down, dribbles it once, picks it up, and scores a touchdown.
00:38:06That's it.
00:38:06That's a second-year man.
00:38:08And that's luck, too, recovering the fumble, and I think if he doesn't fumble, they're
00:38:13going to tackle him for a loss.
00:38:15Yep, and the throw and the dribble, too, the left hand.
00:38:18Elam makes it 21-0.
00:38:20A little Michael Jordan action there.
00:38:22Well, it was a blitz by the New England Patriots defense.
00:38:25They get up the field.
00:38:26Good penetration.
00:38:27He fumbles.
00:38:28Now he cuts back.
00:38:30The only hole available.
00:38:31Penetration to the outside that the New England Patriots get.
00:38:39Look at the top of your screen.
00:38:40The play is designed to go outside.
00:38:42They get up the field.
00:38:43They take away the play.
00:38:45But the fumble—oh, he picks it up.
00:38:47Now he cuts back.
00:38:48The only hole that was available to him.
00:38:51Well, sometimes you're lucky.
00:38:53You better be lucky this game.
00:38:55Terrell Davis, he's gone through severe migraine headaches in a couple games this year,
00:38:59and now he's given them to the Patriots.
00:39:03Troy Brown.
00:39:07He's pushed back.
00:39:08Progressed about the 23.
00:39:10A flag down.
00:39:12Well, they sort out the penalty.
00:39:14The thing—we saw Terrell Davis early last year as a rookie,
00:39:18and he's such a charming guy and so honest.
00:39:21He said, I was just hoping.
00:39:23I was hoping that I could make the practice squad.
00:39:25The practice squad, yes.
00:39:26That's how it all started.
00:39:27Now this year, although he had fantastic success a year ago as he led the team with 1,117 yards,
00:39:34he still doesn't take any radio shows, any special thing.
00:39:37He still doesn't think he's good enough yet.
00:39:39He wants to concentrate on his football game.
00:39:42Good.
00:39:42You know, the one thing I—when we talked to him the last time we did him against the San Diego Chargers,
00:39:47and we put the point to him, he said, Terrell, you're in your second year.
00:39:51You're having some success.
00:39:53What is—if there's one thing that you must improve on, what would that be?
00:39:58And he said, everything.
00:40:00And, man, that just tells me mountains about this guy.
00:40:02Everything.
00:40:03You're right, Paul.
00:40:03That says everything about the person and the football player.
00:40:06Holding against the Patriots on the kickoff, so they start at the 14.
00:40:09And give it to Curtis Martin.
00:40:13Solid hit by Steve Atwater.
00:40:16Let's go to New York and Greg Gumbel.
00:40:19All right, Dick.
00:40:20In Pittsburgh, Mike Tomczak steps back and finds a diving Yancey Figpen in the end zone 12 yards away for a touchdown.
00:40:28Then, recovering a Jacksonville fumble, Jerome Bettis went two yards for a score.
00:40:33Steelers are up 14 on the Jaguars' second quarter, Dick.
00:40:35All right, thanks, Greg, here.
00:40:3821 to nothing as Denver's had the field position.
00:40:42And New England has not.
00:40:46Second and nine.
00:40:48Let's up.
00:40:48Fires almost picked off by Allen Aldridge, the middle linebacker.
00:40:53It's intended for Coates.
00:40:55Well, what is happening already to the Denver defense?
00:40:58They love to crowd the line of scrimmage and stop run.
00:41:01Well, come on, New England.
00:41:03They're not going to be running the whole lot.
00:41:04So now they're dropping back, waiting for the pass.
00:41:07That time, Allen Aldridge, well, Drew Bledsoe is fortunate the ball is not intercepted.
00:41:12Third down nine from the 15-yard line.
00:41:15Bledsoe, seven for 12 in the half.
00:41:18Seventy yards, one kicked off.
00:41:19The pressure has to throw, hurriedly incomplete as he was trying to hit Megat out of the backfield,
00:41:30and Alfred Williams was right in his face.
00:41:32Well, that time the Broncos said they run a blitz on third down, down in this area.
00:41:37And here comes Alfred down.
00:41:38Watch his move.
00:41:39Oh, man.
00:41:40That little swim move.
00:41:40I mean, he's by.
00:41:41He's already there.
00:41:43And Bledsoe knows he has to throw the ball away.
00:41:45You saw his quickness.
00:41:46That's why Mike Shanahan said, I picked him up.
00:41:48We're over scrimmaging the 49ers in Japan.
00:41:52And he says Alfred Williams made Gary Zimmerman look like he was just standing there.
00:41:56And you could see his quickness there against Bruce Armstrong.
00:41:58To put a punt, he'll deliver from about his own five to Smith back at the Denver 40.
00:42:08Again, a long kick.
00:42:11Smith at the 35.
00:42:16Tripped up at the 43.
00:42:19So it's a moral victory for New England that Denver has to start on its own side of the field.
00:42:25Alfred Williams.
00:42:28Dan Marino leads Jimmy Johnson's Miami Dolphins against Eddie George and the Houston Oilers.
00:42:35Or Jerry Rice and the San Francisco 49ers host Vinny Testaverde in the high-scoring Baltimore Ravens.
00:42:42Game two, coming up next on NBC.
00:42:48Alan Aldridge in the Denver defense.
00:42:50That has been the major improvement of this Bronco team.
00:42:53They started fourth overall in the NFL on the defensive side of the ball.
00:42:57And they're showing it against New England.
00:42:59They start from the 43, leading 21-0.
00:43:03Davis, second effort.
00:43:04They had him stopped.
00:43:05And he moves to the 49.
00:43:07Jim?
00:43:08Well, Dick, New England has had trouble stopping people.
00:43:10They ranked 27th in team defense.
00:43:12And they've really had trouble against the run.
00:43:13They've given up three 100-yard games in a row.
00:43:16With Thurman Thomas three weeks ago, 119 yards.
00:43:18A couple weeks ago, it was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the second time this season against New England.
00:43:24Went over 100 yards with 104.
00:43:25And then last week, Adrian Murrell of the Jets.
00:43:28He exploded for 128 yards.
00:43:30Now Terrell Davis today already has 67 yards.
00:43:33Dick Law.
00:43:34All right, Jim.
00:43:35And Davis looking for more.
00:43:37Has a first down at the New England 45.
00:43:40And interestingly, you give up big yards to the opposing team's top runner.
00:43:45And yet, they've won all three of those games, New England.
00:43:48You know what's amazing about this play?
00:43:50Look at it.
00:43:50Terrell Davis is getting his yardage.
00:43:52He's the only guy in the backfield, folks.
00:43:55He doesn't have a fullback blocking for him.
00:43:57So they know if they're going to run the ball.
00:43:58He's going to be the guy that's running it.
00:44:00And they can't stop him.
00:44:0275 yards now in the first half for Davis.
00:44:05846 still remaining before halftime.
00:44:09Delway Davis, who was drilled by Ted Johnson, the second-year backer from Colorado.
00:44:16He may have been drilled, but he also hung on to the football.
00:44:20Game of five on the play.
00:44:26Here's a guy that you know is going to touch the ball 100 times a game.
00:44:30He came out the first five plays.
00:44:32He had four running plays in a pass play.
00:44:33Touchdown.
00:44:34Hello.
00:44:35Everything seems to be working for Denver.
00:44:39Is it a catch?
00:44:46No.
00:44:47Anthony Miller trapped it.
00:44:48Well, good job by John Elway holding on to the ball and trying to wait for Anthony Miller
00:44:56to get open and make the play.
00:44:58Just not able to throw the ball where he wants.
00:45:01Anthony Miller gets his hands on it.
00:45:03The ball touches the ground.
00:45:04Incomplete.
00:45:05We had to pull it back because on the defensive end of the field, one of the defensive linemen
00:45:10just backed off and Elway couldn't throw the quick slant, so he had to wait.
00:45:14That's the smart part of that whole thing.
00:45:15Man to watch here on third and five is Shannon Sharp, who goes in motion.
00:45:24Elway scrambles for the first time and throws to Davis.
00:45:28Terrell Davis does the safety valve.
00:45:30Planted himself in an open part of the zone and a first down.
00:45:35Well, this is the one thing that Elway said to us yesterday.
00:45:37Because of the hamstring, he said, I will really hesitate to run with the football.
00:45:42Well, this is what happens when you play man deep against the defense against the Broncos.
00:45:46But he throws it because he has to.
00:45:48Scooter Magruder, number 27, was going to come up and make the tackle.
00:45:51And I think he faked everybody out by flipping the ball back that time.
00:45:54Well, first down at the 27 on the third catch by Davis.
00:46:05Stops.
00:46:06Chris Slade was a starter earlier in the year, but Dwayne Sav has taken his job the last couple of games.
00:46:12You know what's really discouraging, Dick, is you stop Elway in the Denver Broncos on first down
00:46:17and sometimes on second down.
00:46:19But on third down, he's either going to throw it or give it to Davis or throw it to Davis.
00:46:24Well, that's why you've got to look for the rest of the game.
00:46:26Maybe not every time in third down, but a lot of times, New England, they have to take chances.
00:46:31They've got to make Elway throw the ball before he's ready.
00:46:34Over 100 yards total offense from Davis.
00:46:37Second and 11.
00:46:40Fired to the sidelines.
00:46:42McCaffrey.
00:46:43A catch.
00:46:44They roll it.
00:46:44A catch at the 40.
00:46:46A penalty is down.
00:46:48But McCaffrey doing the ballet step on the sidelines to pull it in.
00:46:54But it'll come back on the hold.
00:46:55I believe that's the first Denver penalty today.
00:46:58Yes.
00:47:00Well, it could be against number 76, Roderick Thompson.
00:47:05Body language says he thinks it's on him.
00:47:08Holding.
00:47:10Right tackle.
00:47:11Offense.
00:47:13Still second down.
00:47:15That's Thompson, the right tackle.
00:47:16Roderick Thompson, number 76, up top.
00:47:19Watch him.
00:47:19He's going against number 96, Mike Jones.
00:47:23Well, he gets his hands up high.
00:47:25But when he gets that right hand, you can see it outside the shoulder pads.
00:47:29The referee standing behind him is going to see that and usually call that holding.
00:47:33It's one of those situations where once you get it out there, you can't get it back.
00:47:38You're going to let this guy go.
00:47:40Broncos go with four wide receivers.
00:47:42Three lined up on the right side.
00:47:43Second and 21.
00:47:49No way.
00:47:50To Miller.
00:47:51And Miller is to the 26-yard line.
00:47:5512 yards on the play.
00:47:56It'll be third and about nine.
00:47:58Well, what they do, the Broncos, they line up three and four receivers to the right.
00:48:02To your left, you have Anthony Miller singled up against Jimmy Hitchcock.
00:48:06Hey, John Elway says, I like these odds one-on-one.
00:48:09It makes a good throw.
00:48:10It's a solid hit again by that Lawyer Malloy.
00:48:13Well, that's the one that Lawyer Malloy, Bill Parcells, told us about it.
00:48:17We talked about, you know, you're safe.
00:48:18He's got to be in the boy Willie Clay.
00:48:20He's playing well.
00:48:21He said, this guy right here will stick you.
00:48:24He said, when he hits you, you've been hit.
00:48:27Third down.
00:48:28They spot it at the 25.
00:48:29So it's third and eight.
00:48:32And the Broncos are going to call time with five and a half minutes left in this first half.
00:48:39Mike Shanahan's team, maybe the warning for all, was delivered after the Chicago Bears win.
00:48:46He said, that's our poorest game of the year.
00:48:48Yet we still won.
00:48:49But it was a wake-up call and a victory, too.
00:48:54A reminder, tonight on Dateline here on NBC.
00:49:00She went to fight cruelty to animals.
00:49:03Suddenly, without warning, she was savagely attacked by the very beast she was trying to protect.
00:49:08An incredible Dateline survivor story that you won't forget.
00:49:12Watch Dateline later tonight on NBC.
00:49:14John Elway looks at third down and eight.
00:49:25A critical to Ann to extend drives.
00:49:28And Elway, through his career, has always been outstanding.
00:49:31Is, again this year, second best in the NFL.
00:49:3463 and a half percent completed passes.
00:49:36Those are some good numbers.
00:49:38And, hey, the system, good receivers.
00:49:40He's able to run with the football and create opportunities when they're not there.
00:49:45That's why this quarterback is awesome on third downs.
00:49:50That way.
00:49:52Some pressure throws to Miller.
00:49:54Flags are down.
00:49:55Miller with a leaping catch.
00:49:57Enough for a first down at the 16.
00:49:59Let's see if it counts.
00:50:00You know, one of the things you've always said about this offense is Shanahan's offense.
00:50:03It's quarterback friendly.
00:50:06Yes.
00:50:06Why?
00:50:08Why?
00:50:09Well, it goes against Denver.
00:50:16Number 84, Shannon Sharp.
00:50:19Made the pass interference.
00:50:2183 offense.
00:50:24Still third down.
00:50:26Anthony Miller pushing off.
00:50:28Anthony Miller is one-on-one on the outside.
00:50:31He knows.
00:50:32He sees the blitz on the inside.
00:50:33He says, hey, there's a good chance the ball is coming my way.
00:50:37He runs right into Jimmy Hitchcock.
00:50:39He uses his hands.
00:50:41Good call by the official.
00:50:44And Elway took a hit from Otis Smith on the blitz.
00:50:50Third and 18.
00:50:52Hit off to Davis.
00:50:54Did not fall.
00:50:55Number 92, Ferrick Colombs.
00:50:58The defensive end.
00:51:00And the Broncos slowed and not by the defense as much as a couple of key penalties.
00:51:06We'll now bring on Tom Ruin, the punter, and Jason Elam, the kicker, for a long field goal attempt.
00:51:13This one will be 52-and-a-half, maybe 53 yards.
00:51:19Elam, his longest.
00:51:21This year is 45.
00:51:23It's into the win.
00:51:25His longest ever, 56, but that was a mile high.
00:51:29And the win takes that one and blows it wide right.
00:51:3452 yards officially.
00:51:36New England finally stops Denver.
00:51:39It's still 21-0 Broncos.
00:51:41George Early and Terrell Davis with three touchdowns posted 21-0.
00:51:49But the missed field goal gives Bledsoe the best field position start of this first half
00:51:54to neg it the pass and the 49-yard line, a gain of eight before Romanoski can make the tackle.
00:52:00Well, let's go back to the field goal.
00:52:01I don't agree with the attempt of the field goal because it puts it, if you miss it, which
00:52:05they did do, it gives the Patriots the ball at the 43-yard line.
00:52:08And you've got a hot quarterback in Bledsoe the last seven weeks or so.
00:52:12I mean, this guy's playing well.
00:52:13Why give him the advantage?
00:52:14I agree, Paul.
00:52:15But Mike Shanahan, I know his philosophy.
00:52:17When he thinks he has a chance to score points, that's what he does.
00:52:22Four wide, ten, make it.
00:52:23And it's make it.
00:52:24Stuffed.
00:52:25Alfred Williams.
00:52:26The thing about Williams, who leads the league now with 11 sacks, is that he is underrated
00:52:31as a run-stopper.
00:52:33Don't you like what Williams told us yesterday, though, Dick?
00:52:35He said, well, you know, I went to San Francisco, and then I bought myself a home in Denver because
00:52:40I knew I'd be back in Denver.
00:52:41And I said to my agent, just take the first offer they give you and look at Alfred Williams.
00:52:46He's not that big.
00:52:47This guy's got a 38-inch waist.
00:52:49He's about 265 pounds.
00:52:51But he's the whole package.
00:52:53Good against the run because of his feet.
00:52:55Third down and two.
00:52:57Byers in motion.
00:53:01To Martin, and he loses the yard.
00:53:05Alfred Williams again with Tana Vasa.
00:53:09Well, they try to block Alfred Williams with Keith Byers.
00:53:12Keith Byers comes in motion.
00:53:14He puts a spin move on Keith Byers and gets himself right back in the play.
00:53:20What a great move by Alfred Williams.
00:53:22Phil Parcells is going for it on fourth down and two.
00:53:27Well, he feels like he has to have points.
00:53:30Kicking the ball and giving the ball back to them before half.
00:53:33Does his team no good, so.
00:53:37This is with New England and with New York.
00:53:40He goes for it on fourth down.
00:53:41Glenn in motion.
00:53:42Fourth and two.
00:53:44Bledsoe to throw.
00:53:46Tough throw, and he makes the catch.
00:53:48Sam Gash stole it from Romanowski.
00:53:51That was a jump ball pass.
00:53:54Everybody on that field was covered perfectly by the Broncos.
00:53:59And even Sam Gash.
00:54:00Bill Romanowski is all over the receiver.
00:54:03Look at Bledsoe.
00:54:04Look down the field.
00:54:05Nobody has to throw the football.
00:54:07Romanowski in good position.
00:54:09But Sam Gash keeps his body between the ball and the defender.
00:54:13That's why he made the catch.
00:54:14First down at the 40.
00:54:16This is where New England last week against the Jets.
00:54:21Trailing 21-0 as we come to the two-minute warning.
00:54:24Remember, there was 21-0 late in the second quarter.
00:54:27And they scored before halftime 21-7 on their way to a win.
00:54:31We'll take a break.
00:54:37Dwayne Charles Harcels never did like the name Dwayne.
00:54:41And he certainly doesn't like what he's seen so far this first half.
00:54:43But a touchdown here before halftime would send his team in to the locker room on a positive note.
00:54:51Give the team some hope.
00:54:53That's what you want to do right here.
00:54:54Score a touchdown to at least make them believe they have a chance when the second half starts.
00:54:59First down from the 40.
00:55:01Play action.
00:55:01Bledsoe guns it down the middle.
00:55:04Incomplete to Glenn.
00:55:06Terry Glenn was open again.
00:55:07Tough chance.
00:55:08Tough chance.
00:55:09Drew Bledsoe did not do a good job of getting himself set so he could get his body underneath him and get the ball down the field.
00:55:17Ray Crockett, number 39, trying to cover Terry Glenn.
00:55:20He is fast.
00:55:21Good feet.
00:55:22He is wide open.
00:55:24The ball goes low because Drew Bledsoe, watch him, just doesn't quite look.
00:55:28He's off balance.
00:55:29That makes the ball go low.
00:55:30And Terry Glenn cannot make the catch.
00:55:33Glenn, as he fell, might have fallen on the ball and is shaken.
00:55:37And New England will be charged with a timeout.
00:55:44It's first timeout against New England.
00:55:46And a reminder at halftime, coming up, it's the Domino's Pizza NFL on NBC Halftime Report.
00:55:52Greg Gumbel and Mike Ditkin, Joe Gibbs, Chris Collinsworth in our New York studios.
00:55:56Gets you caught up in all the scores and highlights from around the league on this week 12 of the NFL.
00:56:01Plus, they'll preview the games between Miami-Houston and Baltimore-San Francisco.
00:56:07Game twos of today's doubleheader coming up at halftime.
00:56:12Well, Paul, Chris Collinsworth, he might be right.
00:56:15You know, Denver's making a statement, and this will be the first time you've ever agreed with him
00:56:20and something he said in the studio.
00:56:22Do you really think Chris Collinsworth might be right?
00:56:24I think he might be.
00:56:27Second down and ten.
00:56:29Bledsoe screens it.
00:56:31He tackled at the 36-yard line, a gain of only four.
00:56:36So, third down, sixth, the clock running.
00:56:40Watch Alfred Williams, number 91.
00:56:42He's a defensive lineman.
00:56:44He rushes the quarterback.
00:56:45And this is why this Denver defense is good.
00:56:47Look, he's coming.
00:56:48They knock him to the ground.
00:56:50He seizes the screen.
00:56:51He gets up, and he's going to hustle down the field and make the tackle.
00:56:56You want to know why this Denver defense has turned around?
00:56:58It's talent, but it's also the hustle by the players, especially Alfred Williams.
00:57:03What are those numbers?
00:57:0411 sacks, five forced fumbles.
00:57:06Those are Derrick Thomas-type numbers.
00:57:08Third down.
00:57:09Third down.
00:57:10Bledsoe lobs it up.
00:57:12Incomplete for Byers.
00:57:14Racing through is Tyrone Braxton.
00:57:17He was the man that saved the day last Sunday against the Bears on fourth down.
00:57:22Well, you know, you talked about the defensive line and those guys hustling.
00:57:25You know how much hustle it has to take for a defensive back like Tyrone Braxton to stay
00:57:29with his man that long?
00:57:32Bill Parcells has already gone for it on fourth down and two.
00:57:34Now it is fourth down and five, a long five.
00:57:38No decision really at this point in the half and down 21 to nothing.
00:57:44The rest of the day, they get these situations.
00:57:46They're going to be going for a lot of fourth downs.
00:57:47All right.
00:57:50Well, first two.
00:57:51Let's cut.
00:57:52Cut.
00:57:56Incomplete to Troy Brown.
00:58:00Broken up by the rookie, Torrey James.
00:58:03And Denver takes over with a minute, five seconds left in the half.
00:58:06Boy, what a great play by Torrey James.
00:58:09I mean, here's a rookie.
00:58:10He's out there really basically by himself.
00:58:13He's got one-on-one coverage to the outside and just take a look at what he did.
00:58:16Watch his arm get inside, make the play.
00:58:19That is great hustle.
00:58:21Closing in on the ball.
00:58:23Down the field, main coverage.
00:58:25And Denver did a good thing on that play.
00:58:27That time they doubled Ben Coates, made Drew Bledsoe go down the field.
00:58:32And he does not like the final outcome of that play.
00:58:36Elway, he's going to buy some time and now can throw it a mile.
00:58:40And throws it way over everyone's head.
00:58:43Bill, what are you going to say?
00:58:45Elway told us yesterday, you know, if I have a chance to run, I'm not going to run.
00:58:48I'm really not going to run unless the game is close and I really have to do it.
00:58:52He had an opportunity right there to gain about 15 yards when he stepped up.
00:58:58But you always said about this guy and most quarterbacks,
00:59:00when you step up and you have that whole field look, that's when they're the most dangerous.
00:59:04Trouble.
00:59:05That's right.
00:59:05Look at the rushing differential, 74 yards for Davis and the Broncos, only seven yards rushing New England.
00:59:12First sack of the day, fourth of the year for Slade.
00:59:25The only positive thing you can say about New England's defense in this first half
00:59:30is the fact that when they blitz, they are having some success against the Denver offense.
00:59:36Look inside, Ted Johnson coming, Otis Smith, number 45 from the outside.
00:59:42Two, not enough blockers by the Denver offense.
00:59:46They get to the quarterback.
00:59:47New England hoping it can get one last chance.
00:59:50Calls time.
00:59:51There's one thing life has taught me.
00:59:57Carpenter.
00:59:59So Musgrave, who played at Oregon, has thrown only two passes all year, pumps and throws.
01:00:05Has never opened.
01:00:06Anthony Miller, great speed and just caught from behind by Hitchcock and down at the 25.
01:00:12Mike Shanahan.
01:00:14Hey, new quarterback comes in.
01:00:16New England blitzing.
01:00:17What does he have on, an out or an in, and an up by Anthony Miller?
01:00:22This shows you the faith he has in his system.
01:00:25How good is this throw?
01:00:26I mean, you know he doesn't have time to work himself out and get the kinks out.
01:00:31He just throws that ball.
01:00:32I mean, that was a perfect pass.
01:00:35They might have to bench John Hillway.
01:00:37Musgrave, who hadn't completed a pass all year.
01:00:40His first is good for 46 yards.
01:00:43Doesn't even get a chance to throw a ball warming up.
01:00:45Well, this kind of really explains Mike Shanahan.
01:00:48Just keep pressuring the defense.
01:00:50And, Paul, we disagree with his field goal attempt.
01:00:53But he says when you get a chance to score points, you do it, regardless of what's on that scoreboard sometimes.
01:00:58You wait until the end of the game to make those clock decisions.
01:01:01And he is an aggressive offensive coach and play caller.
01:01:07Musgrave, who celebrated his 29th birthday on Veterans Day earlier in the week.
01:01:13Let's go to Jim.
01:01:14Dick, it's John Hillway's right hand, particularly his thumb trying to grip the ball.
01:01:19He's working out here over on the sidelines.
01:01:21Bronco trainers don't feel it's going to be a problem for the second half, but they'll check him at halftime.
01:01:25Dick.
01:01:25All right, and Musgrave takes over with a shotgun.
01:01:2829 seconds down.
01:01:29He throws complete again.
01:01:31This time Aaron Craver, the fullback.
01:01:33First time Craver has been involved in an offensive play.
01:01:36Clock running.
01:01:37Denver does have one timeout left.
01:01:40No, they're down.
01:01:41They used their last timeout on the injury to Elway.
01:01:44Oh.
01:01:45And now what?
01:01:46Well, what happened is the New England Patriots, the defensive man, does not get across the line.
01:01:50I think it's McGinnis.
01:01:51You're supposed to get over and let them get set.
01:01:54He was delaying the game.
01:01:55So they call a timeout.
01:01:57Encroachment.
01:01:5855.
01:02:00Defense.
01:02:01First down.
01:02:02The encroachment is he is already beyond the line of scrimmage.
01:02:05So what he does is he touches a player on the way through to the defensive line.
01:02:09And that's what they called because the Broncos were set.
01:02:12So that stops the clock and gives Denver five yards to the 11th.
01:02:18Here's what he gets.
01:02:18Watch this.
01:02:19Now, see, as soon as he...
01:02:20Now, that's encroachment because he touches an offensive player.
01:02:25So, 11-yard line.
01:02:27First down and time to call on all resources with no timeouts left for Musgrave, who comes in.
01:02:33Two for two.
01:02:3455 yards passing.
01:02:35Paul, you're right.
01:02:36That would not have been a penalty except he touches the offensive player.
01:02:40Yeah, he can get back.
01:02:41He can get over and back.
01:02:42But he was already over and they touched him on the way through.
01:02:45Musgrave.
01:02:47And Miller pitched.
01:02:48And Musgrave looked for him to pitch and go.
01:02:51Boy, that official's got some bad hands.
01:02:53That hit him.
01:02:54That was Dean Look.
01:02:54Hit him right in the hands.
01:02:55He dropped it.
01:02:56Well, he was an old quarterback at Michigan State.
01:02:58Let's go down to Jim.
01:02:59All right, Dick.
01:03:01John Elway told Steve Ananopoulos, the Bronco trainer, that he's all right.
01:03:04They're going to ice down his right hand.
01:03:05Had no trouble throwing the ball.
01:03:07And he will return in the second half.
01:03:09Boy, that's a...
01:03:10You can hear the collective relief out in Mountain High.
01:03:14Mile High City.
01:03:15You're doing all the things he's doing.
01:03:17It makes it so easy.
01:03:17You want to get back in there.
01:03:19It's going to be hard to keep him out.
01:03:2015 seconds left.
01:03:21Another score for Denver would just about be the state.
01:03:26Anthony Miller looking for interference.
01:03:28No call.
01:03:2912 seconds.
01:03:31And on comes Elam with fourth down.
01:03:35Actually, it's third down.
01:03:36And not wanting to take a chance, I guess, is Mike Shanahan.
01:03:41He wants to get the field goal attempt here.
01:03:43From the...
01:03:4518 will be inside the night.
01:03:4628-yard attempt.
01:03:47So they have no timeout, so there's no way to do that.
01:03:50And even if they muffed the ball,
01:03:51they really might have a chance to kick it again.
01:03:54Elam drills it.
01:03:55And Denver adds another three to a very impressive first half.
01:04:01Mike Shanahan's club by 24.
01:04:05Denver has had six possessions in this first half
01:04:07and four times in the red zone.
01:04:10John Elway icing that bruised right hand and wrist,
01:04:14but Bill Musgrave came cold off the bench
01:04:16and played as if he felt very comfortable with his position.
01:04:21Jack Elway, his eyes obviously focused on his son.
01:04:29Eight seconds left,
01:04:30and Elam will just punch a little low.
01:04:33Ground ball toward...
01:04:34No, he kicks it away.
01:04:35And...
01:04:36Now comes Troy Brown.
01:04:40Troy Brown.
01:04:44Quisted down at the 27-yard line by Mawa Tanubasa,
01:04:51and that is the end of the first half.
01:04:53And listen to this crowd.
01:04:54Well, listen to this crowd, and I tell you what,
01:05:00I'd like to hear the halftime speech today Bill Parcells is going to give that team.
01:05:04And last week he challenged him, and today he's going to have to do more than that
01:05:07because this is a really good football team he's playing,
01:05:10and he's got to come up with some tricks or miracles to get back in it.
01:05:13You know who's booing?
01:05:14Those guys that paid 500 bucks to get those tickets.
01:05:1824 to nothing.
01:05:20Terrell Davis just took over the game early.
01:05:22Everything tried by Bill Parcells.
01:05:24The fake punt included to start the attack failed.
01:05:28And so it's all Denver at halftime
01:05:30as we go to Greg Gumbel in our NFL on NBC Studios in New York.
01:05:35Plus a field goal, make it 24-0.
01:05:37And the running back comparison, Terrell Davis and Curtis Martin of the Patriots,
01:05:44six for six yards.
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