'Disappointed' Denver Broncos fall to New England Patriots - ESPN

DENVER — In a race to stay in the chase for an AFC wild-card spot, the Denver Broncos lost the most consistent player on their offense, lost a game in the final seconds and most likely lost their chance at the postseason in one exceedingly disappointing Christmas Eve.

Wide receiver Courtland Sutton left Sunday night's game against the New England Patriots in the first quarter with a concussion and the rest of the evening didn't get any better.

Patriots rookie kicker Chad Ryland powered a 56-yard field through the frigid night air with two seconds remaining and New England left with a 26-23 win in Empower Field at Mile High.

«It's disappointing, it's a disappointing loss,» Broncos outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper said. «Everybody's feeling it, I know I'm feeling it, it sucks, man, it sucks. We've got everything to play for right there and we didn't get the job done, simple as that.… It's going to be hard to enjoy Christmas… plain and simple, it wasn't good enough.»

The loss likely extinguishes the Broncos' (7-8) playoff chances without a wholesale collapse around them in the AFC. Denver is 4-6 versus AFC opponents, with games remaining against the Chargers and Raiders over the season's final two weeks.

«I haven't done the math, I'm feeling this loss right now,» quarterback Russell Wilson said. «We probably should have won this game, probably the best thing we can do is get up [Monday], be with our families and get back to work.»

A dismal first quarter was the tipping point for a Broncos' offense, as it struggled mightily without Sutton in the game. Denver's first three possessions started at the New England 6-, 46- and 25-yard lines, but the Broncos came away with just seven points.

The Broncos followed that up with