But early in the first quarter, when the Broncos handed the ball to running back Jeremiah Johnson, the Broncos offensive line walled off New England's linebackers perfectly, creating a gaping running lane for Johnson, who gained 25 yards on the play.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic hit the set-piece against the wall before his miscued volley fell to Mellberg, whose shot was parried by Joe Hart only to bounce off Glen Johnson and over the line.