Former Miami Hurricane has Cinderella moment with game-changing play in Patriots’ win over Broncos

An ex-Cane practice squad call up made a huge difference late in the game.

Craig Smith — College Football & NFL Trending News Writer
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Via CBS

The NFL is a sport with plenty of star power and headliners, but sometimes it’s in the footnotes where the game-changing players are found.

That proved to be the case for the New England Patriots on Sunday against the Denver Broncos. Points were at a major premium in a game that turned into a rock fight with boulders.

As such, point prevention proved to be as important as scoring in Denver, and one player had a moment in the fourth quarter that changed the game in a big way for New England.

Patriots called up practice squad player Leonard Taylor III on Saturday

In case you hadn’t noticed, the Patriots made some moves on Saturday in advance of the game. The notable one, at least at the time, was the return of WR Mack Hollins from injured reserve.

But the elevation of former Miami Hurricane Leonard Taylor III proved to be one of the biggest moves of the day.

Taylor III blocked a Denver field goal attempt in the fourth quarter to preserve the Patriots’ slim lead

It had been an absolute slog for either team to do much offensively on Sunday, particularly in the second half with the snow starting to pour in. That was especially the case for Denver, who struggled with backup QB Jarrett Stidham at the helm.

However, a shanked punt by the Patriots’ Bryce Baringer in the fourth quarter gave the Broncos field position already in field goal range with New England leading 10-7. As they did almost all day, the Patriots’ defense ran Stidham and the Broncos’ offense off the field quickly, and Will Lutz lined up for a 46-yard field goal attempt with under five minutes to go.

Taylor III soared high and got his hand on the ball, redirecting it off course and wide left.

It would be the last time that the Broncos would sniff field goal range. The Patriots’ defense slammed the door shut and clinched New England’s twelfth trip to the Super Bowl.

But it might not have been possible without an afterthought from the practice squad literally lending a hand to the cause.

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