DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 18: Running back LeGarrette Blount #29 of the New England Patriots rushes as inside linebacker Todd Davis #51 of the Denver Broncos attempts a tackle in the first quarter of a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LeGarrette Blount now owns a New England Patriots franchise record.
The running back ran for his record-setting 15th rushing touchdown of the season in Sunday’s 16-3 road victory over the Denver Broncos.
Blount and Curtis Martin were previously tied at 14 rushing touchdowns, after Blount scored in Week 14 against the Baltimore Ravens.
Entering Sunday’s game, Blount had the fifth-most rushing yards in the NFL (1,029). He’s scored a touchdown in 10 of the Patriots’ 15 games this season, and has run for over 100 yards four times.
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In addition, behind Dion Lewis’ 95-yard effort, the Patriots out-rushed the Broncos 136 yards to 58.
The Patriots (12-2), who have won five straight games, have now clinched the AFC East title for the eighth straight year, a league record.
The Broncos (8-6), meanwhile, continue to pursue a playoff berth, as they remain at third in the AFC West. Denver has lost three of their last four games.
Tom Brady completed just 16 of 32 passes for 188 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions for a passer rating of 68.2. Brady was pleased with his team’s performance overall despite New England’s slow start, and with the fact that he was not hit by the Broncos a career-high 23 times like he was in the AFC Championship game last January.
Despite the loss, Denver quarterback Trevor Siemian outperformed Brady, finishing 25 for 40 for 282 yards with an interception for a rating of 73.1.
Brady’s first completion was a 17-yarder to Julian Edelman one minute into the second quarter, sparking a drive that ended with Blount reaching the end zone from the 1 to break a 1-1 tie.
On that same drive, Brady was sack-stripped on the first snap with left guard Joe Thuney pouncing on the fumble, and Lewis recovered his own fumble at the Denver 1 right before Blount scored.
Siemian made two poor decisions that stopped promising drives.
His toss to Emmanuel Sanders from the Patriots 14 was both poorly timed and poorly aimed. Cornerback Ryan Logan picked it off and returned it to midfield, setting up Blount’s TD run.
The Broncos reached the Patriots 31 on the subsequent drive. Siemian was pressured, and rather than throw the ball away dumped it off to running back Justin Forsett for a 6-yard loss that kept Denver out of field-goal range.
“I missed a couple of opportunities to at least get us some points early on,” Siemian lamented. “It comes back to haunt you for sure.”
A quarrel also began amongst the Broncos following their loss, but the shouting match didn’t last long.
The Patriots next host the New York Jets on Saturday, while the Broncos will visit the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday night in a Christmas-day matchup.
DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 18: Running back LeGarrette Blount #29 of the New England Patriots rushes as inside linebacker Todd Davis #51 of the Denver Broncos attempts a tackle in the first quarter of a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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