Compare that to Elway’s final game: In 1998, Elway was 18-of-29 for 336 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
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But with Miller leading a defense that recorded a Super Bowl record-tying seven sacks and forced four turnovers for the Broncos (15-4), Manning ended an up-and-down, injury-riddled season with another title. The 6-foot-5, 245-pound quarterback who scored 45 touchdowns during the regular season – and five more in the playoffs – failed to produce a TD running or throwing for the first time this season and the Panthers lost 24-10 in Super Bowl 50.
Peyton Manning has been the veteran focus of attention around the Broncos throughout their postseason run, but he wasn’t the only member of the team with a chance to burnish his legacy with a win in Super Bowl 50. “He changed everything up to where we could be more aggressive and get to the passer, but also create a lot of havoc”. The Broncos capitalized on the Panthers’ devastating turnovers and costly penalties to hold the league’s highest-scoring team to their lowest-scoring output since a 28-10 loss to the Saints on October 30, 2014.
The press conference came to an abrupt ending when Newton got up and left, at the same time a Broncos player was overheard loudly saying how the Denver defense wanted to force Newton to throw the ball.
Both Elway and Manning were 38 during their respective Super Bowl wins.
It was a far cry from two years ago, when the Broncos were routed by Seattle 43-8. Eventually frustration began to set it. With Carolina trailing by six late in the fourth quarter, Miller broke through again and knocked the ball from Newton’s hands.
Miller, who was named Super Bowl MVP after the game, gave credit to his teammates.
Greatness, man. That guy can down as one of the best that’s ever done it in the history of football.
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“He’s awesome”, defensive coordinator Wade Phillips said. They did just that.
