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. The Patriots quarterback is 11-5 in his career against Manning.
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By winning, Denver gets to host the National Football League title game.
It’s unlikely that we’ll see Osweiler in the game. Brady in particular idolizes the Patriots quarterback, wanting to follow in his footsteps by playing football at the University of MI. We’re relentless in there. We just didn’t finish.
Denver surrendered 339 yards passing to Roethlisberger, who entered the game with a sore shoulder.
Roby said playing in so many close games has kept the Broncos cool-headed when the heat is on. “You’ve got to give them credit, but in that situation, I put it on myself”.
“Our defense is guiding us, let’s make that clear”, Manning told reporters after completing 21-of-37 passes for 222 yards with no scores or interceptions.
Denver is 10-3 in games decided by seven points or fewer.
With the win, the Broncos’ are due for another AFC Championship clash against the New England Patriots.
“Our defense has been outstanding all season”.
“It will be fun to play another Peyton Manning-led team“, said Brady, who had a long run of success against Manning when he was with the Indianapolis Colts. All good players have tendencies.
Daniels called this latest nail-biter “a microcosm of our season”. “It’s another one of those games we found a way to do it”.
When Brady was asked on Monday about Manning he said he maintains a friendship with the Broncos quarterback but that he’s not sure he’d be in touch with him prior to Sunday’s meeting on the field. No more blown coverages. Quick note: Keyshawn Martin was also more productive in this game, and it’s possible with all the attention on Edelman, Gronkowski and Amendola, that he’ll be targeted more.
Aqib Talib isn’t buying Big Ben’s injury. “Two of these teams have to go home”. He has been a force for the Broncos on the inside this season. However, this time around Carolina will have to deal with Cardinal starting quarterback Carson Palmer and not a backup.
The Broncos’ average margin of victory this season is 7.15 points.
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“This was a dog fight, a grinder and went down to the last drive”, Manning said. On its first two scoring drives, Denver started out at Pittsburgh’s 30 and 31 yard line, following a 42-yard punt return by Omar Bolden and the first of two 27-yard punts shanked by Pittsburgh’s Jordan Berry. The Steelers were driving inside Broncos territory, up 13-12. Pittsburgh surged in front with the help of a big play by wide receiver Martavis Bryant, who shook free for a 40-yard gain on a reverse play to the Denver 16.
