New England Patriots vs. Denver Broncos: 2015 Week 12 Recap

Game story

In Week 12 of the 2015 NFL season on 2015-11-29, the Denver Broncos took care of business against the New England Patriots, pulling away with a 30–24 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 27 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

T. Brady (New England Patriots) paced the passing game, with +0.53 total EPA, and -5.2% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, E. Sanders (Denver Broncos) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +8.50 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+29.6% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Denver Broncos changed the game: (1:56) (Shotgun) 17-B.Osweiler pass deep left to 10-E.Sanders to NE 8 for 39 yards (21-M.Butler).

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 E. Sanders · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +8.50 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.94 EPA/play
2. 2 B. Bolden · New England Patriots · Receiving · +6.70 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.67 EPA/play
3. 3 C. Anderson · Denver Broncos · Rushing · +5.84 total EPA · 15 snaps · +0.39 EPA/play
4. 4 R. Gronkowski · New England Patriots · Receiving · +5.34 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.53 EPA/play
5. 5 O. Daniels · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +3.63 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.60 EPA/play
6. 6 C. Anderson · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +3.46 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.87 EPA/play
7. 7 B. Osweiler · Denver Broncos · Rushing · +1.28 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.64 EPA/play
8. 8 T. Brady · New England Patriots · Passing · +0.53 total EPA · 50 snaps · +0.01 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• New England Patriots — R. Gronkowski (T. Brady pass) (Q1 56:32)
• New England Patriots — S. Chandler (T. Brady pass) (Q2 40:45)
• Denver Broncos — R. Hillman (Q2 32:15)
• New England Patriots — B. Bolden (T. Brady pass) (Q4 15:00)
• Denver Broncos — C. Anderson (Q4 12:44)
• Denver Broncos — A. Caldwell (B. Osweiler pass) (Q4 1:15)
• Denver Broncos — C. Anderson (OT 12:42)

Field goals

• Denver Broncos — B. McManus (Q4 6:12)
• New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski (Q4 0:04)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: New England Patriots won the period 7–0. New England Patriots found the end zone from the DEN 23 (Q1 56:32) — (11:32) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short left to 87-R.Gronkowski for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the DEN 15 (Q1 56:24) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. New England Patriots found the end zone from the DEN 9 (Q2 40:45) — (10:45) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short right to 88-S.Chandler for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the DEN 15 (Q2 40:40) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the NE 19 (Q2 32:15) — (2:15) 23-R.Hillman right end for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the NE 15 (Q2 32:07) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt..

The fourth quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 17–10. New England Patriots found the end zone from the DEN 63 (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep right to 38-B.Bolden for 63 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the DEN 15 (Q4 14:50) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the NE 15 (Q4 12:44) — (12:44) 22-C.Anderson left end for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the NE 15 (Q4 12:34) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the NE 3 (Q4 6:12) — (6:12) 8-B.McManus 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the NE 4 (Q4 1:15) — (1:15) (Shotgun) 17-B.Osweiler pass short left to 12-A.Caldwell for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the NE 15 (Q4 1:09) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the DEN 29 (Q4 0:04) — (:04) 3-S.Gostkowski 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen..

Overtime: Denver Broncos won the period 6–0. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the NE 48 (OT 12:42) — (12:42) 22-C.Anderson left end for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Denver Broncos (Q4 1:56) — (1:56) (Shotgun) 17-B.Osweiler pass deep left to 10-E.Sanders to NE 8 for 39 yards (21-M.Butler). [WPA +29.6% · EPA +2.82]
• Denver Broncos (OT 12:42) — (12:42) 22-C.Anderson left end for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +28.6% · EPA +4.33]
• New England Patriots (Q4 0:04) — (:04) 3-S.Gostkowski 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen. [WPA +18.3% · EPA +0.83]
• New England Patriots (OT 14:57) — (14:57) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady sacked at NE 13 for -7 yards (58-V.Miller). [WPA -17.4% · EPA -1.79]
• New England Patriots (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep right to 38-B.Bolden for 63 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +13.4% · EPA +6.91]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• New England Patriots (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep right to 38-B.Bolden for 63 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +13.4% · EPA +6.91]
• Denver Broncos (Q4 14:26) — (14:26) 4-B.Colquitt punts 45 yards to NE 35, Center-46-A.Brewer. 14-C.Harper MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by DEN-48-S.Barrett at NE 36. 48-S.Barrett to NE 36 for no gain (43-N.Ebner). [WPA +6.7% · EPA +5.41]
• Denver Broncos (Q2 42:20) — (12:20) (Shotgun) 17-B.Osweiler pass short middle intended for 88-D.Thomas INTERCEPTED by 95-C.Jones (93-J.Sheard) at DEN 15. 95-C.Jones to DEN 15 for no gain (68-R.Harris). [WPA -9.8% · EPA -4.50]
• Denver Broncos (OT 12:42) — (12:42) 22-C.Anderson left end for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +28.6% · EPA +4.33]

Quarterback report card

T.Brady led all passers in efficiency for New England Patriots, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• T.Brady (New England Patriots) · 50 dropbacks · 46.0% completion · -5.2% CPOE · +0.01 EPA/play · +0.53 total EPA
• B.Osweiler (Denver Broncos) · 46 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · -7.7% CPOE · -0.09 EPA/play · -4.19 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Denver Broncos held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.02 vs -0.05), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Denver Broncos: 15 drives, +1.55 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• New England Patriots: 15 drives, -4.77 total EPA, 4 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Denver Broncos leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• E. Sanders (Denver Broncos) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• T. Brady (NE) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
• B. Osweiler (DEN) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q1 56:32 · DEN 23 · Score 6-0
   (11:32) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short left to 87-R.Gronkowski for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q1 56:24 · DEN 15 · Score 7-0
   3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.
3. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q2 40:45 · DEN 9 · Score 13-0
   (10:45) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short right to 88-S.Chandler for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q2 40:40 · DEN 15 · Score 14-0
   3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.
5. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q2 32:15 · NE 19 · Score 14-6
   (2:15) 23-R.Hillman right end for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q2 32:07 · NE 15 · Score 14-7
   8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
7. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 15:00 · DEN 63 · Score 20-7
   (15:00) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep right to 38-B.Bolden for 63 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q4 14:50 · DEN 15 · Score 21-7
   3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.
9. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 12:44 · NE 15 · Score 21-13
   (12:44) 22-C.Anderson left end for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q4 12:34 · NE 15 · Score 21-14
    8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
11. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q4 6:12 · NE 3 · Score 21-17
    (6:12) 8-B.McManus 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
12. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 1:15 · NE 4 · Score 21-23
    (1:15) (Shotgun) 17-B.Osweiler pass short left to 12-A.Caldwell for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q4 1:09 · NE 15 · Score 21-24
    8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
14. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q4 0:04 · DEN 29 · Score 24-24
    (:04) 3-S.Gostkowski 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.
15. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — OT 12:42 · NE 48 · Score 24-30
    (12:42) 22-C.Anderson left end for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN.