National Football League

THE LATEST: Pats score, miss extra point as Broncos lead 7-6

Published Jan. 24, 2016 4:00 p.m. ET

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The Latest from the NFL conference championship games Sunday. (All times EST)

3:50 p.m.

BRONCOS 7, PATRIOTS 6

Steven Jackson scored from a yard out, but reliable kicker Stephen Gostkowski missed the extra point and the Broncos held a 7-6 in the AFC championship game after the first quarter. Jackson scored with 1:49 left in the period.

Gostkowski didn't miss an extra point all season. His PAT attempt was wide right.

New England got the ball in great field position after winning a challenge. On the play in question, Peyton Manning threw a swing pass to Ronnie Hillman that was ruled incomplete, with linebacker Jonathan Freeny picking up the bouncing football.

But the Patriots challenged and the call was overturned, giving them the ball on the Denver 22.

- Pat Graham reporting from Denver.

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3:40 p.m.

Turns out, New England does have a punter and his name is Ryan Allen. The Patriots have punted on three straight possessions in the AFC championship game.

Up to then, Tom Brady and the offense have picked up just one first down. Brady has been sacked once and knocked down another time.

Allen is averaging 49 yards on three punts.

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3:25 p.m.

BRONCOS 7, PATRIOTS 0

It wasn't in the forecast for tight end Owen Daniels to score before Rob Gronkowski in the AFC championship game. But there was Daniels, a part-time meteorologist, wide open for a 21-yard TD catch to give the Broncos a 7-0 lead over the Patriots midway through the first quarter.

Peyton Manning took advantage of a blown assignment by the Patriots to find Daniels, who waltzed into the end zone.

Manning had a nifty move earlier in the drive, when he escaped outside on a bootleg play. He looked more like a 29-year-old than a 39-year-old who's been dealing with foot injuries.

It was just Manning's second TD pass at home this season. Both have been to Daniels.

- Pat Graham reporting from Denver.

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3:07 p.m.

Even before the AFC championship game started, Patriots coach Bill Belichick made a statement by taking the ball first.

The Patriots won the coin flip and wanted to receive. Typically, teams defer to the second half.

The game is underway in Denver, with the opening kick a touchback. The referee is Ed Hochuli.

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2:42 p.m.

To make sure his hands stay nice and toasty on this sunny, 46-degree day, Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning is wearing gloves for the AFC title game against New England.

Fellow QB Tom Brady is opting to go with a glove only on his left hand.

The temperature is expected to be in the mid- to upper-40s most of the afternoon. There's a chance of rain later in the evening, but the game should be over by then and one of these teams will be on their way to the Super Bowl.

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