DENVER -- The New England Patriots, as they arrived at the midpoint of the season, decided that it didn't have to be this hard. They had played in mostly close games and wanted to show they could control a game from start to finish.
Mission accomplished.
By controlling the Denver Broncos from start to finish in a 41-16 victory that featured dominance on special teams -- and some ineptitude on Denver’s side -- the 7-2 Patriots put themselves in control in both the AFC East and AFC overall.
This was the type of performance they had been looking for all year, with the closest they came in a Week 2 win over the New Orleans Saints.