Not-so-special teams sink Broncos in blowout loss to Patriots

Nov 12, 2017, 9:46 PM Updated: 9:51 pm

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 12: Running back Dion Lewis #33 of the New England Patriots returns a kickoff for a first quarter touchdown against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on November 12, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

(Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

Win the coin toss? Check. Stop Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in three plays? Check. Force a punt on the first drive defensively? Check.

Through the first 1:48 of Sunday Night Football, the Denver Broncos had things rolling.

Then the special teams unit hit the field.

A muffed punt by punt returner Isaiah McKenzie gave the Patriots the ball back at the Denver 24-yard line, and two plays later Brady connected with Rex Burkhead for a touchdown.

Then things got bad.

Midway through the first quarter, after the Brock Osweiler and the Broncos answered with a field goal on the following drive, Dion Lewis returned a Brandon McManus kickoff 103 yards for another touchdown.

Just about a quarter later, Broncos punter Riley Dixon had a punt blocked, giving New England a short field again.

On the way to a second-straight blowout loss, 41-16, the Broncos allowed 17 points off special teams blunders in the first half alone — 10 due to short fields and seven on the kick return.

At halftime, NBC Sports sideline reporter Michele Tafoya said head coach Vance Joseph gave her two-word answer as to what was the problem in the first half: “Special teams.”

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.