The Broncos faced a must-win to stay in the wild card picture in the AFC. They didn't win.
Patriots kicker Chad Ryland, who missed a 47-yard field goal and an extra point, hit a 56-yard field goal with two seconds remaining to give New England an improbable 26-23 victory.
The Patriots improved to 4-11, while the Broncos dropped to 7-8 and their playoff hopes were barely alive mathematically.
Bailey Zappe directed a seven-play, 43-yard drive to set up the game-winning field goal. The big play was a 27-yard completion to DeVante Parker to the Denver 47.
It was a dramatic, forgettable end to the game.
The Broncos trailed 23-7 in the fourth quarter, but scored back-to-back touchdowns and two-point conversions to tie the game. Lukas Kroll scored on a 3-yard pass from Russell Wilson with 8:33 left, and Brandon Johnson caught the pass for a two-point attempt.
With 2:53 to go, Johnson scored on a 21-yard reception and Javonte Williams caught a two-point pass.
The first half was one of the worst in the NFL this season, with the Broncos taking a 7-3 lead. The Patriots had three touchdowns in the third quarter, with Ezekiel Elliott scoring on a 15-yard reception, Mike Gesicki on an 11-yard reception and Cody Davis scoring on a 1-yard return of a Marvin Mims fumble on a kickoff return.
That set up only fourth-quarter heroics for Wilson and the Broncos, but they came away with a three-and-out with a chance to win the game when they got the ball back with 1:42 left.
Wilson went 25 of 37 for 237 yards and two touchdowns, with Mims going three for 63.
The Patriots outgained the Broncos 289 to 276.
Zappe was 25 of 33 for 256 yards and two touchdowns, with Demario Douglas going five for 74.
Patriots defensive lineman Christian Barmore had eight tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble.
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