DENVER -- Josh McDaniels has come up with a new twist on the Broncos' offense for his old boss, Bill Belichick, using for the first time this season a variation on the "Wildcat" formation that Denver calls the "Wild Horse."

With rookie running back Knowshon Moreno -- a first-round pick out of Georgia -- playing the role of tailback and taking a direct snap from center, the Broncos ran 4 times out of the formation for 21 yards and showed it several other times, before bringing QB Kyle Orton back under center.

Denver was able to move into field-goal range after taking the opening kickoff, but Matt Prater missed a 48-yard attempt wide right and the Patriots took over at their own 38.

-- JIM DONALDSON