ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) - Looking for someone to blame for Denver's latest loss?

Look anywhere other than the locker belonging to No. 18, Peyton Manning.

From a confused defense that couldn't get off the field to a butterfingered offense that couldn't stay on it to a coaching staff that got outmaneuvered at every turn, the Broncos dug themselves a hole in a 31-21 loss to New England on Sunday. Manning made his usual, determined effort to get them out of it, but came up short.

Denver fell to 2-3 and raised a critical question nearly a third of the way into the season: Sure, the Broncos upgraded at the quarterback position by acquiring Manning in the offseason, but did they take care of the rest?