The Broncos-Patriots game is being billed as the last Brady-Peyton Manning duel.
Advertisement
“He made two great plays, both on fourth down”, Brady said.
The Broncos built a state-of-the-art practice facility for more than $35 million and spent lavishly on free agents to get back into the mix for the Super Bowl, which was a common destination when Elway was playing. “You make some (two-point converts), you’re not going to make them all”. The victor goes to Super Bowl 50! The Patriots have been pass heavy this season, relying on Tom Brady who had a spectacular year, throwing for 4,770 yards and 36 touchdowns, third and first in the league respectively.
Roby, who forced the game-changing fumble in last week’s victory over Pittsburgh, made the pick.
One thing the Broncos do need to do is be more efficient in the running game.
The Broncos defense steps up the pressure on Tom Brady to force a quick three and out on the Patriots next possession, but the Patriots defense would step up to force their own three and out. It came after a 31-yard Broncos field goal put the Patriots in a 20-12 hole, with time running out. Somehow, the Patriots miss the extra point.
But if the Broncos can upset the Patriots and earn their eighth Super Bowl appearances, observers will rewind back to the six and a half hours on the afternoon of January 3, when the Patriots lost their grip on the No. 1 seed with a 20-10 defeat to Miami, allowing the Broncos to walk through the door and take home-field advantage after the Peyton Manning-led comeback over the Chargers. “Brady’s already dazzled us by completed passes to 8 different receivers last week when the offense looked like it did in Weeks 1-10”. The Broncos linebacker has an interception and 2 1/2 sacks, which is a club record for a postseason game. It would end up leading to another touchdown for the Broncos to give them a good position to extend their lead.
Patriots fans were upset about the consistency of pass interference calls in the first quarter.
In fact, last time the two teams met the Patriots only converted two third downs of a possible thirteen attempts, an alarming statistic for the franchise with one of the best offences in all of the NFL. The Broncos had a couple great touchdown drives in the first half, but petered out in the second half. The touchdown was set up by a New England challenge of a Manning pass to Ronnie Hillman that was determined to be a lateral. But you would think their records were the opposite if you watched the game, as the Cardinals finished the game with 69 yards of offense. This season proved far less forgiving for Manning, who has characterized it numerous times as “unique”. While Peyton Manning has Demaryius Thomas and Sanders, his favorite target in the end zone has been Daniels.
Advertisement
“No. Up until Gronk’s catch on fourth down I thought we were going to win this game, and we’d get a 2-point conversion like we’ve been practicing all year”, said Matthew Slater. There’s a chance of rain later in the evening, but the game should be over by then and one of these teams will be on their way to the Super Bowl.
