Sunday’s 20-17 overtime loss to the Broncos could be characterized as a game of missed opportunities for the Patriots, none of which loomed larger than a second-half sequence where they were unable to convert on a drive where the Denver special teams’ unit seemed bound and determined to help out the New England offense by any means necessary.

Leading 17-10 at the end of the third, the Patriots took control of the football on their own four-yard line. New England was able to get a little distance between itself and the back of the end zone, moving the ball out to its 10-yard line, but were forced to punt the ball away. Enter Denver linebacker Darrell Reid, who ran into New England punter Chris Hanson on his punt, allowing the Patriots to get the ball back.

The Patriots then moved the ball out to their 34-yard-line, but stalled again. The two teams lined up for another New England punt … before the Broncos special teams bailed them out again, drawing a penalty for a neutral zone infraction.

First down, Patriots.

New England would get the ball across midfield before Hanson was called on to punt for the third time in the drive. This time, Denver steered clear of Hanson — and of any penalty flags — as the Pats’ punter gently dropped the ball inside the Broncos two on a sweet play by special teams ace Matthew Slater. Denver didn’t let the opportunity pass them by. Kyle Orton engineered a 12-play, 98-yard drive right into the gut of the New England defense that ended up tying the game with just over five minutes remaining, and setting the stage for the Broncos’ overtime win.

It’s not often you get that kind of help, especially on the road in the second half. After the game, the Patriots knew they let a colossal opportunity pass them by.

“There were just too many bad plays. Too many plays where 11 guys aren’t on the same page doing the right thing. And I think that’s the key to offensive football,” said Brady, who suffered the first overtime loss of his career. “I think as a team we’ve got to be able to sustain the drives — when you get the second chance, you’ve got to take advantage of [it]. And we didn’t do that.”