DENVER – The Denver Broncos are headed to Super Bowl 50 on the heels of a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat, bite your fingernails to the bone, 20-18 victory over the New England Patriots.
As has been the case all season, the defense carried Denver on the day. Von Miller who said, “If I get two sacks, we win,” before the game, led the way, with two and a half sacks, two tackles for loss, four quarterback hits and an interception to boot. Derek Wolfe who said, “If we get Brady on the ground, we win the game,” beforehand, added in a sack and, a tackle for loss and six quarterback hits. DeMarcus Ware who said, “If we dominate up-front we win the game,” contributed half a sack and seven QB hits of his own.
It goes without saying, they were all right and they all held up their end of the bargain. The Broncos were seemingly in the lap of Tom Brady from the opening kickoff to the final whistle. Brady finished the game 27-of-56 for 310 yards, two interceptions and one touchdown, good enough for a quarterback rating of 56.4.
On the other side, Peyton Manning and the Broncos started off the game hot, putting together their third longest scoring drive of the season right off the bat. An 11-play, 83-yard drive ended in a 21-yard touchdown pass from Manning to Owen Daniels up the seam and the Broncos we’re off and running.
The defense held strong, forcing two consecutive three-and-outs from Brady, but the Broncos weren’t able to capitalize and, instead, gave all of the momentum back to the Patriots when Ronnie Hillman thought a lateral pass was incomplete and Jonathan Freeny scooped it up. Three plays later, Stephen Jackson was in the end zone. But Stephen Gostkowski would miss the extra-point, a mistake that would prove all-too-important.
Early in the second quarter, the Patriots would even up the ugly turnover category as Wade Phillips fooled Tom Brady, dropping Von Miller into coverage and Brady put the ball right in his chest. Just like the Patriots, the Broncos only needed three plays to go 16 yards and make the lead 14-6 on Owen Daniels second touchdown of the game.
The teams would trade field goals before the break giving the Broncos a 17-9 lead.
A Patriots field goal was the only scoring in the third quarter and the Broncos answered that with three of their own early in the fourth to make it 20-12.
Down eight with six minutes left the Patriots started to get desperate and again the Broncos answered the bell. Fourth-and-short inside the red zone and the Patriots went for it. Stopped by Chris Harris.
Then, again with 2:25 left the Patriots went for it from the Broncos nine. Stopped.
It still wasn’t enough, though, the ensuing Broncos drive took just 26 seconds off of the clock and Brady would have one last chance.
With a drive featuring multiple improbable completions to Rob Gronkowski, Brady would get the touchdown, doing what he always does best being clutch.
Oh, but that pesky missed extra point from the first quarter.
The Patriots needed a two-point conversion to force overtime, a microcosm of the whole game, the Broncos would get in his face immediately forcing an ill-advised throw that would be intercepted by Bradley Roby. The celebration was on.
Shiloh Keo dove on a desperation onside kick attempt with less than ten seconds left to seal the deal.
The Denver Broncos are headed to Super Bowl 50.
