It would also even his Super Bowl record to 2-2. “They are like a league opponent like Oakland, Kansas City and San Diego”. I think the ability to have that type of game was there, but once we settled down in the second half and we’re sitting there exchanging field goals, you knew what was important. It’s going to come down to execution this week.
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Manning’s wide receivers certainly didn’t give him any help against Pittsburgh, but it’s clear that if Denver needs him to make several big plays, the Broncos won’t have enough to keep pace with the Patriots.
Ben Roethlisberger doesn’t understand why the Denver Broncos thought he was pretending to have a shoulder injury, saying on his weekly appearance with 93.7 The Fan Pittsburgh that he took a painkilling shot to get through Sunday’s game, the first time in his career he has done so.
After the day’s only turnover, the Broncos put together their only touchdown drive – 13 plays, 65 yards over 6:52, capped by a 1-yard run by C.J. Anderson. The Broncos appear susceptible to exactly what the Pats do, throw it quickly over the middle and take away the running game and big play ability on defense.
“The blocking came up big”, Anderson said.
The game-winning drive was only possible because of a huge play made by the Broncos’ defense.
It’s been that kind of season for the Steelers – filled with injuries, stops and starts, pockets of unstoppable offense, inexplicable letdowns and, of course, a never-ending dose of injuries to top players.
Regardless of the outcome this Sunday, the hype train has already been pushed into warp speed, making it a prime target for a Match Game. But this season, the Patriots have MVP candidate Tom Brady firing on all cylinders with his weapons back at the right time.
The Steelers did not get the defensive call communicated in time, and cornerback Brandon Boykin just missed breaking up the pass. Boykin was looking at teammates as the ball was snapped.
Sure, injuries were a factor, but the players on the field Sunday had a chance to beat the Broncos and advance to the AFC championship game. Brady won in 2004, while Manning won in 2007 (as an Indianapolis Colt) and in 2014. Brady led the defending Super Bowl champion Patriots (13-4) to the AFC title game for a fifth straight season.
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Manning is actually 2-1 against Brady in AFC Championship Games, beating him with Indianapolis in 2006 and with Denver in 2013. The teams then exchanged field goals, sending Pittsburgh to the break with a 10-9 advantage. Look for Cam Newton to steal the spotlight again as the Panthers punch their Super Bowl ticket.
