The New England Patriots outlasted the Denver Broncos by a 26-23 score in a Christmas Eve showdown on Sunday.
At one point, the Patriots had a 23-7 lead, before the Broncos came roaring back. Nevertheless, New England was able to hold on in the end, courtesy of some late-game magic.
The victory came on a game-winning drive engineered by quarterback Bailey Zappe and the Patriots offense. Zappe went 25-of-33 on the night, throwing for 256 yards and two touchdowns. Demario Douglas was the team’s leading receiver in this contest, catching five passes for 74 yards.
However, it was the leg of Chad Ryland that won the night, after he gifted his teammates with a game-winning, 56-yard field goal as an early holiday gift.
There were plenty of reactions to this game on Twitter, and here are some of the best ones:
Love this team forever. Please keep coach Bill. THE BEST franchise I dont care 0-16 forever.
— Brooklyn Trolley Dodger (@41TrolleyDodger) December 25, 2023
Ryland! Unofficial motivational coach here. This is how you make them regret doubting you! Talking down to you.Believing you'll never make it big. Way to prove them wrong!
— New England Patriots Football (@Turbanedpatsfan) December 25, 2023
Can we all agree that Zappe is so much better than Mac Jones?
— Savage (@SavageSports_) December 25, 2023
Losing to a 3 win Patriots team when you’re a classified playoff contender means you don’t belong in the playoffs at all.
— 𝘾𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙣 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙧 (@CameronParkerPO) December 25, 2023
The Broncos potentially lose a (longshot) playoff chance.
The Patriots potentially lose Drake Maye.Losers everywhere. I love it.
— Schlasser (@UrinatingTree) December 25, 2023
Merry Christmas, the New England Patriots are back.
— Mike (@_mike_mahoney_) December 25, 2023
Bye Caleb Williams we will never a good qb to help us win
— New England Patriots (@newengland1211) December 25, 2023
This is easy the worst win in New England Patriots history. You are giving up a chance at a potential HOF talent for a completely meaningless game in December. I’m nauseous! #patriots #NFL #PatriotNation #NewEnglandPatriots
— Rizzlybear (@TitleTown24) December 25, 2023
The Denver Broncos are a joke, how do you lose at home to the New England Patriots.
— Alex Xaviel (@SnakeDraftViper) December 25, 2023
With the 7th pick in the 2024 NFL draft, the New England Patriots select Blake Larson, OT- Augustana
— TannerHoucksSlider (@HoucksSlider) December 25, 2023
Patriots winning today is why I say it’s impossible to tank in football. Too many dudes futures are uncertain. Gotta play well every chance you get .
— Ev sells cars and stuff (@EvDoWork) December 25, 2023
A WIN FOR THE CULTURE. TAKE THAT TANK FANS.
— Wesley Steinberg (@WesSteinberg) December 25, 2023
I’m happy we won and showed those fake fans we don’t don’t need to tank and should win these games for the locker room
— 𝙻̷𝚞̷𝚜̷ 📯 (@Theylovelus) December 25, 2023
RIP to our draft chances pic.twitter.com/M1VRgWHXNV
— Kurai ⟠ (@Kuraixo) December 25, 2023
Should’ve just played Zappe since week 2
— Klouds (@klouds33) December 25, 2023
As a diehard Patriots fan, I’m so happy for them. This win gives us hope for the future. As a New York Giants hater, they’ll have to deal with a bust named Drake Maye as we continue to win this season!
— ¹⁰ (@HoodiGarland) December 25, 2023
imagine celebrating the loss of a franchise qb LMFAOOOO Bill sabotaging yalls pick cuz he leaving 💀
— 𝒸𝒶𝓇𝓉𝒾𝑒𝓇 𝒸𝑜𝓊𝓃𝓉𝓇𝓎 (@motorcitypoison) December 25, 2023
Yall ruined our Christmas eve
— ☘️JAYSZN☘️(21-6) (@0JAYSZN) December 25, 2023
Christmas ruined
— JoJu (@xyarmani) December 25, 2023
I… don't know how to feel about this. On one hand, a Pats W for my birthday. On the other, we just ruined the tank. Guess we're gonna have to trade up if we want a QB in the draft
— SilverGeneralV2 (@silvergeneralv2) December 25, 2023
