The Broncos had to work overtime to keep their perfect record alive and Carson Palmer rallied the Bengals past the Ravens in an NFL Sunday full of surprises, sorrow and brilliant plays.
Kyle Orton orchestrated a 98-yard touchdown drive in the final quarter and Matt Prater booted a 41-yard field goal in overtime as Denver edged the New England Patriots 20-17.
“The electricity in the stadium was so great that we had to have it,” Orton said. “When we got to overtime, we just had to win.”
Rookie Knowshon Moreno ran for 88 yards and helped the Broncos improve to 5-0 on the season for the first time in 11 years. Denver coach Josh McDaniels also got a win over his old boss, Bill Belichick.
“I lied,” McDaniels said when asked about his pre-game comments that this was just another game. “It was a little bit more special to me because I knew how hard it was to beat him.”
The New York Giants, Indianapolis Colts and the Minnesota Vikings also got wins on Sunday to remain unbeaten on the season.
Not far behind are the Cincinnati Bengals (4-1) — who have one loss on the season and got a superb performance from quarterback Palmer, who tossed a 20-yard touchdown pass to Andre Caldwell with 22 seconds remaining in an emotional 17-14 win over the Baltimore Ravens.
Orton finished 35-of-48 for 330 yards with two touchdowns for Denver at Invesco Field.
The last time the Broncos started a season with five straight wins was 1998 when they won 13 consecutive games before finishing the season 14-2 en route to a Super Bowl championship.
Brandon Marshall hauled in eight passes for 64 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Eddie Royal had 10 catches for 90 yards and Moreno carried 21 times for his 88 yards.
Tom Brady completed 19-of-33 for 215 yards and two touchdowns for the Patriots, who dropped to 3-2.
The Broncos started on offense in overtime and made the most of it. Prater came into the game after a toss by Orton was almost intercepted by the Patriots, who then called a timeout.
Prater didn’t need to think about it, however, as he split the uprights perfectly for the win.
It was an emotional day for the Cincinnati defense, who played with heavy hearts following the sudden death of the wife of their defense coach Mike Zimmer.
Vikki Zimmer died on Thursday and Mike Zimmer decided to honor her memory by going to work as usual.
“My wife loves all of you. Win or lose she is proud of you all,” he told the players in the dressing room after the game.
Caldwell’s touchdown catch capped an 80-yard drive by the Bengals.
Cincinnati running back Cedric Benson rushed for 120 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries, becoming the first player to rush for 100 yards against the Ravens in three years. Baltimore had gone 39 consecutive games without allowing a 100-yard rusher.
Brett Favre tossed for one touchdown and Adrian Peterson added two rushing TDs as Minnesota beat hapless St Louis 38-10.
“It’s the first time in my career I’m 5-0,” Favre said. “I’m very proud of that and this team. It hasn’t come without adversity and we’ll continue to face adversity, week in and week out.”
“It’s not how you start, but how you finish,” he said. “I do know it’s important to start fast. There’s no doubt for anyone who watches us, the guys in that room, that we can be a lot better in all three phases and specifically, offensively.”
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