Trailing by six points with about 4 minutes left in the game, Newton was stripped of the ball by Denver’s Von Miller.
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There’s no denying Denver now. “Ever. It’s a bold statement but top to bottom, we have the greatest talent – from rushers to safeties to linebackers”.
“What our guys did, the way they played, they will be in the conversation”, said Broncos general manager John Elway, when asked if Denver’s defense is one of the best of all-time.
Or the Ravens in 2000.
“There was a certain point where it was like guys on the sideline were saying, ‘Cam is very stressed, ‘” Broncos cornerback Bradley Roby said.
They scored when Manning couldn’t. We gave up sacks.
“I got some good advice from Tony Dungy”, Manning said of the first of four coaches with whom he’s been to the Super Bowl.
It was Manning’s second Super Bowl victory and he’s the first to win for two different teams-with the Broncos and the Indianapolis Colts.
And for DeMarcus Ware and Wade Phillips, long-suffering defensive giants whose resumes are no longer lacking.
On Sunday after the game, Harris was in an adjacent interview area talking loudly about the Broncos’ game plan in their 24-10 victory at Levi’s Stadium.
Manning didn’t have to be vintage, just vexing.
Before leaving the podium, Newton said, “I don’t know what you want me to say, I’m sorry”.
“The offense did what they needed to do”, Marshall said.
Can you put into words the disappointment you feel right now? Neither Manning or Newton threw a touchdown pass, but each threw an interception. It felt good, our preparation, on those trick plays and everything they did, they really helped out that week.
It was a far cry from two years ago, when the Broncos were routed by Seattle 43-8.
It was the “No Fly Zone”, not “Thieves Ave.”, which got so much attention as the Panthers piled up 50 takeaways.
-The Broncos appeared to have a three-and-out late in the first quarter, but Aqib Talib got in Philly Brown’s face and was called for unsportsmanlike conduct. He had no drops in 42 receptions in the regular season and playoffs coming in.
T.J. Ward slipped twice on the same play.
That’s the closet thing there is to a lock in this league.
Newton’s dream season ended with a nightmare performance. I told him congratulations on his outstanding season and what a great future he has ahead of him.
Miller, who had 2.5 sacks, 6 total tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 2 hurries and a pass defenced, was the driving force behind Denver’s win but was happy to deflect the accolades.
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Carolina’s Ron Rivera, the Coach of the Year, lost a challenge on a pass to Jerricho Cotchery, and it was a key decision because two plays later, Miller burst through and didn’t even go for the sack. Defensive end Malik Jackson fell on it in the end zone and Denver had a 10-0 lead it would never give up. “I don’t really remember the Steel Curtain and all that, but I heard about them”. I did this for them. Heading into the sport’s premiere showcase, there was every reason to believe that the outcome would be determined by the play callers.
