The Broncos needed to win to stay in the AFC wild card rankings. They didn't win.
Patriots kicker Chad Ryland, who missed a 47-yard field goal and an extra point, made a 56-yard field goal with two seconds left to give New England an improbable 26-23 victory.
The Patriots improved to 4-11, while the Broncos fell to 7-8, their playoff hopes mathematically barely alive.
Bailey Zappe directed a seven-play, 43-yard drive, setting up the game-winning field goal. The big play was a 27-yard completion to DeVante Parker to the Denver 47.
It was a dramatic end to an otherwise forgettable game.
The Broncos trailed 23-7 in the fourth quarter, but scored back-to-back touchdowns and both two-point conversions to tie the game. Lucas Krull scored on a 3-yard pass from Russell Wilson with 8:33 left, and Brandon Johnson caught the pass on the two-point attempt.
With 2:53 left, Johnson made a 21-yard reception and Javonte Williams caught the two-point pass.
The first half was one of the worst in the NFL this season, with the Broncos leading 7-3. However, the Patriots had three touchdowns in the third quarter, with Ezekiel Elliott scoring on a 15-yard reception, Mike Gesicki scoring on an 11-yard reception and Cody Davis scoring on a 1-yard return of a Marvin Mims fumble on a kickoff. Return.
That only set up Wilson and the Broncos for fourth-quarter heroics, but when they got the ball back with 1:42 left, they took the lead with a three-pointer and had a chance to win the game.
Wilson went 25 of 37 for 237 yards and two touchdowns, while Mims caught three for 63.
The Patriots outscored the Broncos 289 to 276.
Zappe was 25 of 33 for 256 yards and two touchdowns, with Demario Douglas catching five for 74.
Patriots defensive lineman Christian Barmore had eight tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble.