Patriots Super Bowl Hopes Dashed in Denver

On a snowy Sunday across the country, the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers punched their tickets to Levi’s Stadium for Super Bowl 50.

The NFC Championship game was a total blowout as Cam Newton threw for two touchdowns and ran for two others in the Panthers’ 49-15 laugher against Arizona.

Carolina defender Luke Kuechly said the Panthers will try to impose themselves upon Manning in the title matchup.

Broncos QB Peyton Manning completed 17 out of 32 passes for two touchdowns.

The Patriots, however, would not quit and with 12 seconds left to play Brady hit Rob Gronkowski with a four yard touchdown pass.

But Patriots place kicker Stephen Gostkowski did something he had not done since 2006, missing an extra-point attempt that allowed the Broncos to maintain a lead in the AFC championship game they would never relinquish. Aqib Talib, the former Patriot, tipped the ball into the air, where Bradley Roby intercepted it. Though Denver couldn’t’ find the end zone on that drive, they got the field goal that would prove to be the game-winner.

There were memes, gifs and plenty of comments making fun of Tom Brady and his Patriots posted online. “To me this victory is a great example of what this season has been like”, Manning said.

“For it to come down to a two-point conversion obviously is a tough way to finish the season”, offered a dejected Brady after the game.

Manning’s been a game manager for the Broncos at best this year and an absolute liability at worst. “If we win the Super Bowl and it’s because of the defense, that’s when it will be fitting”.

Newton finished with 335 yards passing and 47 rushing and it earned him a first trip to the Super Bowl and the Panthers’ first since 2004.

The Broncos defence stood up again, and the franchise is now headed to its eighth Super Bowl. At 39, Manning surpassed John Elway as the oldest quarterback to take his team to the Super Bowl…. “We’re not satisfied until we win the Super Bowl”.

Added Denver coach Gary Kubiak: “Defensively we played our tails off all year long and found a way to win another close one”.

Manning improved to 6-11 in his series against Brady, but 3-1 with the AFC title on the line.

Along with Manning, who was hit just four times and threw two TD passes to tight end Owen Daniels. Meanwhile, the Broncos harassed Brady into a 27-for-56 day for 310 yards and two picks.

And it made for just as thrilling of a game that they had when the were both youngsters.

Following a 45-yard field goal by Graham Gano, Ted Ginn Jr.’s 22-yard run gave Carolina a 10-0 lead. A few injuries to the Panthers defense could alter the line significantly as the status’ of Roman Harper and Thomas Davis is anyone’s guess. Panthers safety Roman Harper injured an eye in the first half and didn’t return….

“I’m not going to get into what if scenarios”, he said.

“I tell you, I can do it all”, Miller said with a wry smile. “I felt like I was because I couldn’€™t even jump”, Gronkowski said.

“Two years ago when we went to the Super Bowl I only punted twice”, Colquitt said.

“We’ve been dreaming about this moment since Day 1”.