Broncos

By Eddie Pells, AP Sports Writer
DENVER (AP) ― Knowshon Moreno has walked a fine line between his team's can-do attitude and his coaches' can't-do edicts.

The Denver Broncos running back fumbled for the second straight week. But the rookie first-round pick once again showed his bounce-back ability in Denver's 20-17 overtime win Sunday over the New England Patriots.

Denver's game-winning drive was highlighted by a 9-yard run into Patriots territory by Moreno. Moreno followed that with a critical 11-yard scamper off left end that put Matt Prater in position for his game-winning field goal at New England's 29.

"Nobody wants to fumble. He doesn't. The offense doesn't. We want to play turnover-free, but it happens," Denver quarterback Kyle Orton said. "He's certainly a competitor and is going to try and make up for the fumble with some special runs."

Moreno finished with 21 carries for 88 yards, and also had four receptions for 36 yards, including a 27-yard catch and run during Denver's 98-yard drive to tie the game.

It was the University of Georgia product's first NFL start, subbing for Correll Buckhalter (ankle). Moreno, though, did enter game with more carries and yards than Buckhalter and leads all rookies in rushing to date.

"It definitely means a lot," Moreno said of his starting gig. "At the same time, I don't think I really fulfilled my part. The offensive line opened up some big holes for me, and fortunately, a few times I was able to get up through there.

"I'm happy with the win. That's all I can say," he added.

Moreno certainly will hear about his ball security issues from position coach Bobby Turner.

Denver's defense held New England to a single first down after the miscue, leading to Stephen Gostkowski's 53-yard field goal and a 10-0 Patriots lead.

Moreno maintained he was unconcerned about any lingering fumbling issues, however.

"Not at all," he repeated. "Not at all."

ROYAL TREATMENT: Eddie Royal became the third NFL receiver to reach 100 catches in 20 games, joining Anquan Boldin (16) and Terry Glenn (20).

But it has been an act of patience this season.

Royal entered Sunday with only eight receptions for 58 yards -- a far cry from his dominating rookie season when he was often the go-to offensive weapon. He surpassed both those totals vs. New England with game highs in catches (10) and yards (90).

He was targeted a whopping 15 times and consistently moved the chains on third down.

"It's great to be involved," Royal said. "But I'll take a win any way we can get it."

IN A ZONE: Ditching the glove on his throwing hand isn't the only thing making life more comfortable for Orton.

The Denver quarterback executed his reads better than he had all season, according to head coach Josh McDaniels.

Orton, now entrenched fully in the Broncos offense, seemed to agree.

"It certainly felt like this was the best I've seen the field and most prepared I've been," he said. "I was able to take the game plan and actually execute it the best and I should."

Orton finished 35 for 48 for 330 yards with two TDs. His first interception of the season came at the hands of Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss, playing deep on an end zone desperation pass to punctuate the first half.

"That's a bad way to throw a pick," he said.

Orton had gone 173 pass attempts, dating back to last November playing for Chicago without a pick.

"It seems like a million years since I got traded and came to Denver," he said.

And it was about time he could throw barehanded, too. Orton had worn the protective glove after dislocating his index finger during the preseason, requiring surgery.

"I'm so happy to be done with it and to have all that stuff behind me," he said. "I was able to throw the ball with a lot of confidence and throw it the way I wanted to. It was great."

OLD MAN RIVER: Vonnie Holliday has heard all the jokes, including this week when teammates told him he was a rookie when Denver first wore the vertically striped socks that were featured Sunday.

Not quite. The hosiery debuted in 1960; Holliday's first NFL appearance was 12 years ago.

But Holliday's late sack of Tom Brady, that was a throwback to his younger days as a sack artist. The play forced a fumble that Elvis Dumervil recovered at New England's 45 with 1:37 left in the fourth quarter.

The old man can still get it done.

"It's a badge of honor," he said of his advanced age of 33. Brian Dawkins "and I talk about it. These guys are young. WE call them the millennium kids. And it's a different breed. But hopefully my experience and knowledge will rub off on one or two of these guys and it's well worth it."

ORANGE AND BLUE: WR Brandon Marshall scored for the third straight game and deflected away a potential interception. His four TDs in the past three games mark the highest scoring total of his career. ... The Broncos opened up the first two series in the wildcat formation, using Moreno to field the direct snap. Orton was aligned wide but didn't get an opportunity to field a pass. "I'd catch it," he said. "I don't know how far I could run." ... The other four times Denver started at least 5-0, the franchise reached the Super Bowl. Denver last won its first five games in 1998, on the way to a 13-0 start. ... Prater's OT 41-yard field goal was the first game-winner of his career. "It's almost surreal to hit a game-winning field goal against the Patriots," he said.

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(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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