Page 45 - Devante Parker News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

Bill Belichick saw continued progression from his second-year quarterback in the Patriots' Christmas Eve upset of the Denver Broncos.

Stock Up: RB Jaleel McLaughlin. The Broncos rookie running back had 10 touches for 67 yards and looked poised to do more than that early in the game.

If Chad Ryland can turn things around, maybe the Patriots can, too. The New England rookie has been the worst kicker in the league, including two early misses in Sunday's game against Denver — a 47-yard field goal and an extra point. It was the second win in three games for the Patriots (4-11), and both came against teams fighting for playoff berths.

Victory No. 1 earned Bailey Zappe a firm handshake from Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. No. 2? That got him a hug.

Bill Belichick seemed content to take the game into overtime, but Sean Payton wanted another crack in regulation, so he called a pair of timeouts that ultimately helped the New England Patriots all but torpedo the Denver Broncos' playoff plans with a 26-23 stunner at frigid Empower Field on Christmas Eve. The Broncos had rallied to tie it at 23 earlier in the fourth quarter on a pair of touchdowns and a couple of 2-point conversions. “We’re not throwing caution into the wind,” Payton said of the play-calling after the Patriots snuffed out the screen.