DENVER, COLORADO
As time was running out on Sundays game between the New England Patriots (13-5) and the Denver Broncos (15-3), the Broncos where faced with a 4th down and 2 that if they could convert, would seal a victory. QB Peyton Manning took the snap and handed it off to RB Montee Ball for a 5 yard run, sending the crowd into a frenzy. They had just clinched a spot in the playoffs for the first time in over a decade.
The Broncos were led by Manning who threw for 400 yards and 2 touchdowns. Only a few years ago, many were questioning if Manning would ever play again after a serious neck injury. Last year was his comeback year were the Broncos looked on top and were one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl. But the comeback would end when the Broncos lost a heartbreaking double OT game to eventual Super Bowl winning Baltimore Ravens. But now Peyton has finally led the Broncos to the Super Bowl.
Other than the Broncos dominant passing game, the lack of the Patriots rushing game was the biggest reason they lost. Last week against the Colts, the Patriots ran for over 200 yards and 6 touchdowns. But this week they only had 64 yards on the ground and could only find the end zone once. LeGarette Blount, who scored 4 touchdowns last week, was held to only 6 yards on 5 attempts.
This left all of the pressure on Patriots QB Tom Brady. Brady, like always, was great but out played by Manning. He would throw for 277 yards and one late touchdown to Julian Edelman to keep the Patriots in the game late. Brady would take matters into his own hands for they Patriots second touchdown as he would bounce off of a defender on a 5 yard touchdown run. But the Broncos were able to stop them on their two point attempt, and hold on to the victory after Eric Decker would recover the Patriots onside kick.
The Broncos will head to the Meadow Lands in two weeks to face the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl.
MShaheen Sports 