Denver Broncos pip New England Patriots to book Super Bowl berth

The Broncos will await the victor of the NFC Championship between the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 on February 7 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA.

Whether it’s been Manning lining up under center this season, or Brock Osweiler, who took snaps while Manning was injured for six weeks toward the end of the season, the Broncos have depended on a defense that gave up the fewest yards and came up with game-saving plays time and again.

The New England Patriots will try to win the game to make their second consecutive appearance in the Super Bowl.

Brady, meanwhile, was unable to do much against Denver’s top ranked defence until Jonathan Freeny alertly scooped up a Manning backward pass giving New England the ball on the Broncos 22.

New England took over on its 20 and marched down the field, aided by a personal foul call on Denver’s Shiloh Keo after an eight-yard completion to Julian Edelman. And in the second half, The Miller Show continued. Fortunately for New England, Denver couldn’t do anything with the ball – Alan Branch had a big sack of Manning – and that forced the Broncos to punt the ball away with just over two minutes left in the half.

Another field goal from McManus in the fourth quarter made it 20-12 with 10:02 to play.

Brady and Manning were sacked for a combined seven times – the highest number of sacks in any meeting between the two legends.

After forcing an incomplete pass, he would intercept a Tom Brady pass near the red zone.

The Patriots will hold no surprises with the reigning AFC Champions set to rely heavily on quarterback Tom Brady and their offensive line.

As Manning himself has pointed out this past week, it’s about the Broncos’ defense more than about Manning.

Manning completed 17 of 32 passes for 176 yards and two touchdowns as the Broncos won their eighth conference title and the second trip to the Super Bowl in three seasons.

Denver’s top-ranked defense picked off Brady twice and Manning threw a pair of touchdown passes to tight end Owen Daniels.

The focus before the Super Bowl will be on the 39-year-old five-time MVP Manning, and whether that will be his final National Football League game.

The NFL wanted to spice things up by moving the extra point back this season.

Aqib Talib stepped in front of Brady’s pass and deflected it skyward.

The half ended with the Broncos and Patriots hitting on long field goals to send Denver into the break up 17-9.