Manning, Broncos scramble to Super Bowl in 20-18 win over Patriots

Although they came close, it was a disappointing afternoon for the New England Patriots as they fell to the Denver Broncos 20-18 in the AFC Final.

Carolina Panthers’ Kawann Short celebrates with fans after the NFL football NFC Championship game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016, in Charlotte, N.C. The Panthers won 49-15 to advance to the Super Bowl.

Denver’s defense creates havoc in the backfield for Carolina QB Cam Newton and can pressure the likely NFL MVP into making mistakes. Manning completed 17 of his 32 passes for 176 yards and no interceptions. Outside of his all-pro tight end – Greg Olsen, who had 77 catches for 1,104 yards – Newton didn’t have a single receiver with 45 catches or 750 yards. The Broncos recovered an onside kick and ran out the clock with one kneel-down by Manning. It picked off Carson Palmer four times, forced two fumbles by him, and never let up the assault. But his two-point conversion pass was tipped and then intercepted by cornerback Bradley Roby.

The next time they had the ball the Panthers went 49 yards in five plays, scoring on a 22-yard run by Ted Ginn Jr., who covered about 55 yards on the play. To me, this victory sort of is a great example of what this entire season has been like.

The point spreads in the title games were deceiving as they relate to what might happen in Santa Clara.

The Panthers have set franchise records not only for wins but also regular-season points (500) and touchdowns (59). The only time a team scored more in a conference title game was 1990, when the Bills beat the Raiders 51-3 in the AFC.

Denver tied Dallas, New England and Pittsburgh for the most Super Bowl appearances in National Football League history with eight.

It was then Brown’s turn to make a big play the next time Carolina had the ball.

“Oh, wow, the sheriff”, Newton said, referring to Manning’s nickname.

He came into the playoffs fresher than could’ve been imagined and has survived on enough guts and guile and leaned on that tremendous defense to return for another Super Bowl.

The two touchdown catches were Daniels’ only two catches of the game, but he sure made them count.

While the quarterbacks offer an attractive story lines, Sunday offered a reminder that any player on the roster can win or lose a game.

Two plays later Steven Jackson powered over from the one. Capping the barrage was Luke Kuechly, who returned an interception 22 yards for a score.

Six teams started 5-0, and that’s when the Panthers really gained notice with a 27-23, comeback win at two-time defending NFC-champion Seattle.

There is just under 14 days left until kickoff of Super Bowl 50 so there is plenty of time for the line to move. Arizona lost reserve defensive tackle Josh Mauro in the first half to a right calf injury. “This is something that if it comes down to a pain tolerance and playing through it, I will be there”. I can’t even explain how I feel right now. “We’re going to live in the moment right now. Our pen has a lot more ink left”.

None of those popular notions rang true Sunday, when the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers advanced to Super Bowl 50.