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DENVER -- It seems the New England Patriots finally caught a break as injuries continue to ravage both sides of the ball.

The initial reaction from Patriots fans after tight end Rob Gronkowski took a shot to his right knee and writhed in pain on the Sports Authority Field at Mile High turf was doom and gloom -- negativity that only comes while one understandably expects the worst.

Early reports indicate the injury Gronkowski sustained to his right knee in the 30-24 loss to the Denver Broncos isn't serious, however.

Gronkowski was in the Patriots' locker room when media arrived and was bending over and walking around slowly but without a limp. He didn't appear to have a brace on his knee. As for why he was seen rolling around in pain after the play? Perhaps the big tight end was scared much like his biggest supporters. Perhaps the shot he took to his knee felt similar to the one he took in 2013 that ultimately wound up costing the Patriots a Super Bowl appearance.

The only season-ending injuries the Patriots can't endure this year are ones to Gronkowski and quarterback Tom Brady. If Gronkowski's injury really "doesn't appear serious," it seems the Patriots dodged a bullet Sunday night. Their undefeated hopes were dashed to the Broncos, but their Super Bowl hopes remain alive.

The Patriots were down Gronkowski, wide receivers Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola, linebackers Jamie Collins and Dont'a Hightower, running back Dion Lewis and left tackle Nate Solder, among others, in their loss to the Broncos on Sunday night. They threw the game away after leading 21-7 early in the fourth quarter thanks in part to a muffed punt by undrafted rookie wide receiver Chris Harper, which allowed the Broncos to quickly move 36 yards down the field to score a touchdown.

There was little excuse for throwing the ball on first and 10 with 2:53 left in the game on the play in which Gronkowski was injured, but the Patriots' running game had been anemic to that point. And not only were the Patriots fending off the Broncos, but officials, as well, who called Gronkowski for a phantom pass interference penalty with 5:22 left in the game on what would have been a key first down and missed an illegal hands to the face call when Broncos guard Evan Mathis shoved defensive end Chandler Jones in the face on the Broncos' go-ahead touchdown with 1:09 left in the fourth quarter.

Between the injuries, penalties and poor decisions, there's little doubt this is a game the Patriots could have, if not should have, won.

When Amendola, Edelman, Gronkowski, Hightower and Collins are back on the field, the Patriots will again be the best team in the NFL. Until then, they might have to fight through some tough games on their way to the postseason.

Thumbnail photo via Chris Humphreys/USA TODAY Sports Images