Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, left, greets Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger after the Broncos defeated the Steelers in an NFL football divisional playoff game, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2016, in Denver. Field goal distance isn’t as much of an issue from the high altitude in Denver, but Tomlin still opted to punt. They ended up with a 4th-and-20 from the Denver 34.
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And Manning is on board, as he is with the idea that things couldn’t really get going on Sunday until the defense made the game-changing play.
“This was a dog fight, a grinder and went down to the last drive”, Manning said.
But while you’re chewing on that, chew on this as well: The Steelers likely deserved to win Sunday.
He returned to action in the season finale, his cameo propelling the Broncos past San Diego and into the AFC’s No. 1 seed that ensures Brady & Co. will have to play at altitude in their fifth consecutive trip to the conference championship game.
Notes: Broncos PR Omar Bolden injured a knee following his 42-yard return that set up Denver’s first field goal…. Then, Manning went to work, driving Denver to its only touchdown.
But it looks like, in the eyes of so many, it’s up to whether or not you win or lose.
Manning completed just 21 of 37 passes, for 222 yards. The totals might have been better were it not for seven drops from his receivers.
What if the special teams had been better early in the game and not handed six points to the Broncos? After the season he has had, if Manning wins a Super Bowl and walks away on that note, it would be a story unlike any other we’ve seen in professional sports.
CLASSIC MATCHUP: The Patriots opened as a 3 1/2-point favorite over Denver, despite playing on the road.
Denver moves on to the AFC title game. Manning might not have too many throws like that left in his arm, but he delivered a flawless strike to Fowler. The teams are different now.
“Our defense is guiding us”. Let’s make that clear… but you have to be a good team to win these playoff games. “They played great all season”, Manning said. “They played great all season and were dominant today against a high-powered offence”.
Ben Roethlisberger – 24-37 in the passing game with 339 yards. Not since he was a rookie has he averaged so few yards per pass (6.8) or thrown more interceptions than touchdowns.
The Steelers couldn’t get anything going on the following drive, and Roethlisberger took a sack he just absolutely couldn’t take on 4th down, and the Broncos took over on downs. Phillips shook off the hit and continued calling the defensive plays…. The game balanced back and forth between a four and one-point deficit for Denver. No damage done, though.
“It’s been a unique season”, the Broncos’ 39-year-old wizard said. “I know there’s a lot of Steelers fans, so I thought this would be a fun bar to come to”, says Kenny Evora. “He’s in there hollering”. I hope Pittsburgh finds a way to keep him moving forward.
That wasn’t an easy task because just before kickoff a strong wind blew over the Rockies, wreaking havoc on passes and kicks alike.
“During warmups, we went out there and it was a pretty calm day – a nice, tempered day”. “You are up 31-0 and you don’t want to give them life or give them a spark”. “I know if I was in another location and I had an opportunity to get together with some orange and blue in a nice place, it’s nice to be able to get together”.
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McManus then kicked the Broncos into a 10-point lead with less than a minute remaining and although Boswell’s 47-yard field goal cut the Denver lead back to seven points with 19 seconds remaining, the Broncos successfully gathered Pittsburgh’s onside kick attempt, and the game was over. Denver’s drive stalled in part when Linebacker James Harrison set back the Broncos with a sack of Manning.
