Panthers open up 4-point favorites in Vegas over Broncos

Earlier in the day, in the AFC, the Denver Broncos narrowly survived a late-game push from the New England Patriots to emerge with a win.

The 39-year-old Manning got the better of Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in their longstanding rivalry, but it was the Broncos defence which took most credit for the 20-18 victory to clinch the AFC championship.

Brady, who fell to 2-7 all-time at Denver, was 27 of 56 for 310 yards with one score and two interceptions. Brady had trouble getting the ball off and the Broncos defense was all over him and vice versa the Patriots defense was just as good as Denver’s With both Logan Ryan and Malcom Butler having exceptional games.

The Broncos recovered New England’s ensuing onside kick and the celebration began.

Denver, of course, has made a habit of going to Super Bowls, reaching it for a record-tying eighth time.

He is 1-2 in past Super Bowls, winning a championship with the Indianapolis Colts in 2007, then losing with the Colts in 2010, before losing with the Broncos in 2014.

I think these have been the two best teams in the National Football League all season, and the victor of this game should be favored in the Super Bowl.

There is cruel irony to be found in the Patriots’ shocking AFC championship game defeat at Denver: New England needed a two-point conversion following Rob Gronkowski’s miracle touchdown because kicker Stephen Gostkowski had missed an extra point in the first half.

Manning advanced to his fourth Super Bowl, completing 17 of 32 passes for 176 yards, including a pair of touchdown throws to tight end Owen Daniels. That led to a 31-yard field goal by Brandon McManus with 10:02 remaining to give the Broncos a 20-12 lead. The play was blown dead as Freeny tried to advance the ball, but the play was later challenged by Patriots head coach BILL BELICHICK because he thought the play was a fumble.

The third quarter was a quiet one for each team, with the Patriots kicking a field goal to cut into the Broncos’ lead.

MILLER TIME: Broncos linebacker Von Miller’s play was at the center of Denver’s standout defensive performance that throttled New England’s offense.

Manning has had to contend with injuries this season, playing 10 games while dealing with various knocks at different points, including a partially torn plantar fascia.

“All day, these guys put their bodies and lives on the line, and for me to come out here and miss a kick, it’s a nightmare scenario”, Gostkowski said.

The Carolina Panthers are one happy group of football players heading to the Super Bowl.

Manning had gone cold in the second half, had gone old, and Brady, forever stalking a historic fifth ring at the end of his Deflategate Revenge Tour, started at the 50 with 1:52 and one timeout left. Can Peyton Manning make enough plays?

“I just feel awful”, Gostkowski said.

“They said we couldn’t cover their receivers and their tight ends – and we shut them down”, cornerback Chris Harris Jr said.

But New England made it awfully close.