DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 12: Quarterback Brock Osweiler #17 of the Denver Broncos warms up before a game against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on November 12, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) 
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 12: Running back Rex Burkhead #34 of the New England Patriots runs for a touchdown after a catch in the first quarter of a game as free safety Darian Stewart #26 of the Denver Broncos pursues at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on November 12, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) 
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 13: Running back Rex Burkhead #34 of the New England Patriots is tackled after a catch by inside linebacker Brandon Marshall #54 of the Denver Broncos in the first quarter of a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on November 13, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) 
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 12: Running back Dion Lewis #33 of the New England Patriots returns a kickoff for a first quarter touchdown against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on November 12, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) 
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 12: Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders #10 of the Denver Broncos runs for yards after a catch in the first quarter of a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on November 12, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) 
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 12: Running back Dion Lewis #33 of the New England Patriots avoids a tackle attempt by outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett #48 of the Denver Broncos returns a kickoff for a first quarter touchdown against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on November 12, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) 
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 12: Quarterback Brock Osweiler #17 of the Denver Broncos passes against the New England Patriots int he second quarter of a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on November 12, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) 
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 12: Tight end Dwayne Allen #83 of the New England Patriots catches a pass before scoring a second quarter touchdown under coverage by outside linebacker Von Miller #58 of the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on November 12, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) 
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 12: Head coach Vance Joseph of the Denver Broncos works on the sideline during a game against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on November 12, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) 
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 12: Running back Devontae Booker #23 of the Denver Broncos rushes against the New England Patriots in the first half of a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on November 12, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) 
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 12: Kicker Brandon McManus #8 of the Denver Broncos kicks a second quarter field goal against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on November 12, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) 
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 12: The New England Patriots line up behind David Andrews #60 against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on November 12, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) 
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 12: Tight end Dwayne Allen #83 of the New England Patriots misses what would have been a touchdown catch under coverage by defensive back Will Parks #34 of the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on November 12, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) 
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 12: Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas #88 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after scoring a third quarter touchdown against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on November 12, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) 
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 12: Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas #88 of the Denver Broncos is hit by cornerback Stephon Gilmore #24 of the New England Patriots as Thomas scores a third quarter touchdown at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on November 12, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) 
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 12: Quarterback Brock Osweiler #17 of the Denver Broncos celebrates with Demaryius Thomas #88 after a second quarter touchdown against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on November 12, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER — The Broncos dropped their fifth game-in-row on Sunday night as they lost to the New England Patriots, 41-16, in Denver.
It’s the first time since 2010 the Broncos have lost five games in-a-row.
Although there was glimmers of hope from the Broncos offense (it was a big game for Emmanuel Sanders) – they still struggled and were unable to complete a comeback.
The Broncos defense looked worn down as they gave up over 40 points for the second week in-a-row. Although, the points weren’t completely their fault – they still gave up touchdown drives to extend the Patriots lead.
But it was Brock Olivio’s special teams unit that really hurt the Broncos in this game.
From a muffed punt to a penalty for too many men on the field that resulted in a touchdown – it was an embarrassing performance from the special teams from the start.
Things looked promising for the Broncos after the defense forced Tom Brady and the Patriots offense to go 3-and-out on the opening drive, but then special teams took the field.
In the first of several mistakes by the Broncos special teams, Isiah McKenzie muffed the punt and the Patriots recovered inside the red zone. It took just two plays for Brady and the Patriots to make it 7-0.
It was McKenzie’s fifth muffed punt this season.
And just like that…
Brady to Burkhead for the @Patriots TD! #GoPats #NEvsDEN pic.twitter.com/ElwdjMb4AA
— NFL (@NFL) November 13, 2017
Brock Osweiler responded to the McKenzie disaster with a 31 yard strike to Sanders to midfield and eventually set up a third and four with another pass to Sanders inside field goal range.
After a dropped pass by Demaryius Thomas on third down, the Broncos stalled and had to settle for a 39 yard field goal from Brandon McManus.
But, when special teams took the field again on the ensuing kickoff, Dion Lewis would make a 103 yard punt return for a touchdown to make it 14-3.
The offense came back out and Osweiler hit Sanders for a huge 38 yard gain, followed by a 21 yard run from C.J. Anderson. But, once again, the Broncos had to settle for a 33 yard field goal from McManus to make it 14-6.
End of 1 qtr. 14-6 #Patriots. Same story for the #Broncos. Poor special teams & can’t cover RBs and TEs on pass defense.
— Drew Engelbart (@DrewEngelbart) November 13, 2017
A third special teams mistake would happen as Rex Burkhead blocked Riley Dixon’s punt to once again give the Patriots great field position.
And now the #Broncos punt is blocked. This special teams performance is embarrassing.
— Drew Engelbart (@DrewEngelbart) November 13, 2017
But, on the Patriots next few drives, the Broncos defense would hold the Patriots to field goals making it 20-6.
The offense was attempting to keep the Broncos in the game as Osweiler hit Sanders again for a huge 20+ yard gain. It was his fourth catch of the game for 104 yards.
What. A. Snag.@ESanders_10 with 105 yards on just four receptions so far. 👏 pic.twitter.com/jJQlL92Yjv
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) November 13, 2017
But, the drive would result in another field goal for the Broncos to make it 20-9.
The Broncos defense gave the Patriots offense their first touchdown of the game just before halftime to make it 27-9.
At this point in the game, the Broncos had 189 yards for 9 points while the Patriots had 184 yards for 27 points.
The offense would finally find the end zone on the opening drive of the second half as Osweiler hit Thomas for seven yards and the touchdown making it 27-16.
.@bosweiler17 to @DemaryiusT for the @Broncos TD!#BroncosCountry #NEvsDEN pic.twitter.com/7NEgKn1bc3
— NFL (@NFL) November 13, 2017
It cut the Patriots lead, but not for long. The defense looked tired as Brady threw to Rob Gronkowski for 26 yards and Brandin Cooks for 25 – and in just seven plays the Patriots capped it off with a 8 yard touchdown run from Lewis.
It was a play where Broncos defensive coordinator Joe Woods only put ten players on the field.
The special teams continued to hurt the Broncos in the fourth quarter. While the defense forced the Patriots to punt, the special teams had 12 men on the field. The penalty for too many men on the field gave the Patriots a fresh set of downs.
It would lead to another Patriots touchdown as Brady found James White in the end-zone to make it 41-16.
Things just continued to get bad for the Broncos – this time it was Osweiler being picked off in the fourth.
The last time the Broncos lost five game in-a-row, it was 2010 and Josh McDaniels was the head coach.
With the loss, the Broncos drop to 3-6 and last place in the AFC West. They will take on the Cincinnati Bengals (also 3-6) in Denver next week.
