Patriots beat Broncos 34-31 in OT after misplayed punt leads to 31-yard field goal

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) runs from Denver Broncos safety Duke Ihenacho (33) after a catch in the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (The Associated Press)

New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman, right, lands in the end zone with a touchdown catch alongside Denver Broncos cornerback Quentin Jammer in the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola) (The Associated Press)

Stephen Gostkowski kicked a 31-yard field goal for New England after a misplayed punt return by Denver, lifting the Patriots to a 34-31 overtime victory over the Broncos on Sunday night.

Denver's Tony Carter ran into Ryan Allen's punt after it landed and Nate Ebner recovered for New England at the Broncos 13-yard line. After Tom Brady ran twice to line up the kick, Gostkowski connected for his 21st successful field goal attempt.

Brady threw for three touchdowns to lead the Patriots (8-3) back from a 24-0 halftime deficit to a 31-24 lead as New England scored on its first five possessions of the second half. Then Peyton Manning threw an 11-yard scoring pass to Demaryius Thomas for the Broncos (9-2), tying it at 31.

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