Sunday Night Football: Patriots stun Broncos to win 26-23 on Chad Ryland's 56-yard FG with 2 seconds left

Before we start piling on with draft position jokes, let's enjoy the key play to New England's game-winning drive:

Patriots swat aside Russell Wilson's Hail Mary attempt and get the W.

Missed extra point.

Missed 47-yarder.

So what?

It's GOOD! Chad Ryland nails a 56-yarder with 2 seconds left. Patriots up 26-23.

Chad Ryland setting up for a potential winning kick 😬

Belichick appeared to want to run out the clock for overtime. Sean Payton wasn't having it, as he has burned two timeouts. That set up a big-time 27-yard reception from DeVante Parker. Pats in Denver territory.

And with all that goodwill and momentum on its side, Denver goes a quick three-and-out. Bailey Zapp has less than a minute to get that W and make some draftniks angry.

The Patriots respond with a three-and-out.

We are tied, courtesy of Russell Wilson to Javonte Williams hookup. What a wild second half.

It's a bit much to call it a "Christmas miracle" but it's a TD for Russell Wilson to Myles Bryant for 16 yards. 23-21 New England with the 2-point conversion attempt pending.

Russ is taking his shots at the end zone from New England's 40. Two straight passes into the end zone resulted in incompletions, one of them a near INT.

Broncos force a three-and-out. Russell Wilson has 6 minutes and change to make some magic to tie this game.

TD for Russell Wilson on a 3-yard pass to Lucas Krull. The 2-pt conversion is also good on a Brandon Johnson reception. Broncos cut the deficit to 23-15.

The play stands. New England loses a timeout. Broncos on the Patriots' 12-yard line, in desperate need of a TD and a 2-point conversion.

Is this a catch? The NFL world holds its breath.

There is life for Denver as Russell Wilson connects on a 47-yard pass to Marvin Mims Jr. However, New England is challenging the play.

Interesting question posed by Yahoo Sports' Jack Baer: What would be worse, allowing 70 to the Dolphins or 30 to these Patriots? 🤔

Appropriately, the quarter ends on a Christian Barmore sack of Russell Wilson. It's his third of the game.

What is happening to Denver? Special teams gaffe results in another New England TD! (Can't blame Russ on this one, Broncos fans.)

Bailey Zappe smells blood. Capped this drive with an 11-yard TD pass to TE Mike Gesicki.

Bailey Zappe's throw of the night: 30-yard dime to DeVante Parker, putting New England in the red zone.

Russell Wilson goes down for the fourth time via sack. New England will start its drive in Denver territory.

Boo birds coming for the Broncos' offense. First play of this drive ends on a 3-yard loss on an ill-fated screen play.

Big drop from Demario Douglas. Forced a New England three-and-out.

After five plays, New England forced a punt. Momentum all on the Patriots' side.

Denver wideout Courtland Sutton has been ruled out for tonight with a possible head injury, per NFL Network.

We weren't kidding on how loud the mic caught Chad Ryland's doink.

Ezekiel Elliott is eating and the Patriots are up 9-7 on a 15-yard score. The downside: Chad Ryland loudly missed the PAT.

Bailey Zappe slinging it. Two completions to Demario Douglas totaled 54 yards has Patriots in business.

And the Broncos have started off the second half with a Russell Wilson sack and pass play that netted a 1-yard loss. A third-and-19 play got yardage, but not enough to move the chains. Let's see how the Patriots come out with Bailey Zappe.

Broncos wideout Courtland Sutton is being evaluated for a head injury, per the Denver Post. He is questionable to return.

Kurt Warner's coat is hotter than the offense of this game. Let's hope for more action in the second half.

Rough out there for kickers.

And we end the half on a missed 57-yard FG from Denver's Wil Lutz. Take a break to go wrap some presents or get after that eggnog.

Patriots were in solid position to get more than 3 points on a drive. But a holding penalty and a give-up run on third-and-17 forced another FG try. This time Chad Ryland missed from 47 yards out and this game will likely be 7-3 heading into halftime.

Kurt Warner's bubble coat is 🔥

Denver's offense might have some issues in the passing game this evening. Wideout Courtland Sutton is dealing with an undisclosed injury.

"I think this game has dipped into the eggnog a bit."

Again, Rich Eisen is going into his bag tonight with the entertainment as each offense struggles for consistency.

A reminder: the stuff that goes on underneath piles, particularly on fumbles, gets rough and conventional rules might not apply. 🤷‍♀️

Another big play from New England's defense: A forced fumble and recovery has New England's offense back on the field.

New England's drive stalled but the Patriots walked away with a 33-yard Chad Ryland field goal. Denver leads 7-3.

A Jalen Reagor sighting! A nice 28-yard catch has New England in Denver territory as we close out the first quarter with the Broncos leading 7-0. (Shoutout to broadcaster Rich Eisen for poking Eagles fans in the ribs with the Reagor acknowledgment.)

How badly do the Broncos need a win tonight? NFL's Next Gen stats project a 5 percent playoff probability for Denver if they lose to New England this evening.

And we finally have points.
Broncos up 7-0.

Marvin Mims Jr.'s 52-yard punt return has the Broncos back in prime territory to get points against the Patriots.

Big early stop for the Patriots in the first quarter. Teams continue to pass up an easy 3 points for TD paydirt.