The question was, which Denver Broncos team was going to show up in the second half? The one that had propelled the Broncos to 12 regular-season wins on the back of the best defense in the league? Or the one that buckled in the second half and let a lead disappear?
After 30 grueling minutes and four incredible fourth-downs, Denver had its answer. And a trip to Super Bowl 50.
The doubt lasted, however until nearly the final second of the game. Only the final kneeldown by Peyton Manning was a moment to breathe after New England simply would not stop with their offensive pressure and the Denver defense would not allow the back-breaking play. Denver’s offense again struggled in the second half, scoring only three points, but an incredible defensive performance got the job done yet again.
Denver received the second-half kickoff, and had a chance to extend what was a 17-9 halftime lead for the Broncos. The offensive line gave the fans plenty to worry about as they allowed a sack of 13 yards to Peyton Manning the second play of the half and pinned Denver deep in their own territory. Great punt coverage by Cody Latimer gave New England the ball at their 33.
After being extremely limited in the first half, Rob Gronkowski finally made his impact felt on the second play of the Patriots opening drive, getting a 32-yard catch-and-run into Denver territory. Tom Brady couldn’t connect on third-and-ten from the 20, though, and New England would settle for a field goal and a five point margin, 17-12 Broncos.
Facing a second straight three-and-out, Peyton Manning proved what kicking and screaming is all about. The 39-year-old quarterback stepped up from a rush and ran for an 12-yard first down. Facing third down and less than one yard, Denver tried to run the sweep play that broke C.J. Anderson for two touchdowns against New England in Week 12, but the Patriots saw it coming and snuffed it out. Thus, Britton Colquitt was forced to punt from midfield, pinning New England inside their 10.
Von Miller was a beast again deep in New England territory, getting a sack on Tom Brady that was nearly a safety and then making a key third-down tackle to force the Patriots into a three-and-out and kicking from the very back of their end zone. The Broncos suffered a key loss on the possession, though, as Darian Stewart went out with a knee injury.
Denver again couldn’t get things going, despite getting the ball at midfield. Max Garcia surrendered a 12-yard sack and punted for the third time in the half after their second three-and-out of the half.
The game officially became a defensive battle on the next possession, as the Patriots started to move the ball before Malik Jackson got huge pressure on Brady. Von Miller followed with a sack on third down and Denver took another punt to close the third quarter and put themselves 15:00 away from a Super Bowl berth. The sack set a new Broncos playoff record.
On third-and-one on the ensuing drive, C.J. Anderson finally got through the New England line and busted off a 30-yard run to put Denver deep into Patriots territory. Emmanuel Sanders pitched in next and picked up a third-and-two to get Denver the longest-possible first-and-goal. Denver almost made it another seven, but Manning just barely overthrew Jordan Norwood who was wide open and streaking into the end zone. They would settle for a field goal and another eight-point lead, 20-12.
Darian Stewart’s injury came back to haunt Denver on the ensuing possession, as Shiloh Keo was flagged for a questionable helmet-to-helmet hit on Julian Edelman that moved the Pats near midfield. T.J. Ward was shaken up on the drive as well, relegating Denver to its two backups, Keo and Josh Bush. Brady made them pay on the next third down with a 19-yard pass that split the safeties. The Patriots clawed their way to a fourth-and-one at the Denver 16. It was a possible game-defining moment.
On play-action and with pressure coming from DeMarcus Ware, Brady hit Julian Edelman but before the line of gain and Chris Harris came up with a huge containment tackle that gave the Broncos the ball on downs with 4:06 remaining.
Demaryius Thomas continued his difficult day on the next drive, dropping a pass on second down and then taking a false start penalty on third down. Manning had to settle for a check-down and another punt. Brady took over at his own 29 with 4:35 on the clock and all three timeouts in his pocket.
Brady and the Patriots started clicking finally, getting back-to-back completions to James White and Gronkowski that took them on the other side of the Denver 30. A holding penalty on Brandon Marshall put New England inside the 20. Denver forced a third-and-six (thanks to a false start) and the pass to Danny Amendola was ruled incomplete. Gary Kubiak decided to challenge the call, hoping it was a catch and fumble. The call was upheld and Denver lost its second timeout. A fourth-and-six from the Denver 14 became the new biggest play of the game.
Denver had the New England receivers blanketed and the line finally got enough pressure on Brady that he had to heave one up into the end zone towards Gronkowski. Aqib Talib got a hand on the ball and Denver took over again on downs with 2:25 remaining.
The Broncos needed one first down, as the Patriots still had their three timeouts and the two-minute warning to stop the clock. Back-to-back run calls to Anderson left Denver staring at third-and-ten. Sanders and Malcolm Butler battled down the sideline, but to no avail.
Tom Brady had the ball at midfield with 1:52 remaining and the defense again was asked to save the day. Brandon Marshall made a tough play deep in coverage on White on first down. DeMarcus Ware nearly had Brady by the ankles on second down. He was there again on third down, slinging the Patriots quarterback to the turf. For the third time in the quarter, Denver had to hold on fourth down.
He found Rob Gronkowski deep for a back-breaking 40-yard gain and a first-and-goal. Denver somehow held again, forcing yet another fourth-down, this one from the four-yard line and needing to break the plane. He again found Gronkowski and the Patriots now needed a two-point conversion to tie the game.
It was Brady vs. the Broncos defense for (nearly) all the marbles. Under severe duress, Brady tried to throw across his body over the middle; Aqib Talib was there to deflect the pass and Bradley Roby picked it up midair. He nearly returned it for points, but fumbled on the return to whistle the play dead.
The Broncos recovered the onside kick and the Denver Broncos officially punched their ticket to Santa Clara and Super Bowl 50.
The drama and doubt remained throughout, and the MHS team was there to document (and contribute to it), alongside the rest of the Denver and national media. Here’s how it played out on Twitter.
Even after a strong first half, the doubt was there for Broncos fans and analysts…
The good news? Denver looks dominant on defense and very solid on O. The bad news? Only one score difference.
— Robin Carlin (@robincarlin) January 24, 2016
And the o-line gave reason for that concern…
The Pats are just teeing off and going after Peyton now. . . Quick screens and Draw plays? maybe?
— Gil Whiteley, Now and Then (@Gilfest) January 24, 2016
Gronk went Gronk on the ensuing drive…
And 19 YAC for Gronk … here come the Patriots. First-and-10 at the DEN 36.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) January 24, 2016
The concern about the second half lull grew…
#Broncos have rarely played a good full 60 minutes. Not the best start to 3rd quarter, but at least held Pats to FG.
— Mark Haas (@markhaastv) January 24, 2016
Facing a second-straight three-and-out, Manning proved he was going out kicking and screaming…
#Broncos Manning did something he didn't do in Colts playoff game last year… Ran for the 1st down. Wow!
— Eric Goodman (@EricGoodman) January 24, 2016
However a questionable play call forced another Broncos punt…
wow.. 3rd and a foot.. and #Broncos don't get it.. CJ Anderson stopped. Pats have it.. questionable call..
— Lionel Bienvenu (@lionelbienvenu) January 24, 2016
Von Miller continued his big day with another sack…
Von said this week he only needed 1.9 seconds. No big deal.
— Mark Haas (@markhaastv) January 24, 2016
After a flip of the field, the o-line again couldn’t protect the blitz…
Peyton dropped for another huge loss on play action. That is a drive stopper. #NEvsDEN
— cover32 Broncos (@cover32_DEN) January 24, 2016
Britton Colquitt was earning his paycheck…
#Broncos Colquitt is seriously on his way to a special teams game ball.
— Sam Cowhick (@SamCowhick) January 24, 2016
But injuries to two key players put things in big question for Denver…
Wolfe walking off.. but shaky.. can't lose Wolfie and Stewart…
— Lionel Bienvenu (@lionelbienvenu) January 24, 2016
Von answered in style, though, with a huge sack to stop the drive…
Von Miller another sack… loved the celebration, usually dances from him, instead he sprints to bench and crosses legs.
— Nick Griffith (@NickGriffithTV) January 24, 2016
C.J. finally broke through on third-and-one…
And out of the Heavy Jumbo package, C.J. Anderson TAKES OFF … down to the NE 22. Great blocking by the left side.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) January 24, 2016
While Peyton was sharp on third-and-two…
Peyton's made several big throws today.. that 1st down pass down and low to where only Sanders could catch was one of his best.
— Nick Griffith (@NickGriffithTV) January 24, 2016
Sadly, he wasn’t as sharp on third-and-goal…
Peyton just missed Jordan Norwood for a TD. And Bronco fans just lost their minds. McManus hits the FG. 20-12 Broncos. #NEvsDEN
— cover32 Broncos (@cover32_DEN) January 24, 2016
Those doubting the Broncos could hold that lead remained vocal…
https://twitter.com/davidlukeramsey/status/691392207148838912
A questionable penalty on Shiloh Keo moved the sticks for New England…
Helmet-to-helmet. They're going to call that, sorry, folks
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) January 24, 2016
Then Denver lost its biggest hitter…
That does NOT look good for TJ Ward. Nobody near him. He goes down. And now the Broncos are w/o both starting safeties. #Broncos
— Les Shapiro (@LesShapiro) January 24, 2016
But made its biggest stop of the day on a fourth-and-one…
#Broncos Chris Harris stays home, does his assignment, and makes huge tackle on Julian Edelman for 1-yard loss on fourth down…
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) January 24, 2016
The offense couldn’t provide any help, going three-and-out again…
And a false start. Ugly series. How far to the left of the slash can the Broncos go before the engine dies?
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) January 24, 2016
The fans were going to get what they wanted…
Tom Brady v Broncos D with game on line in 4Q. This is what everybody paid to see.
— Mark Kiszla (@markkiszla) January 24, 2016
Brady moved the ball though, exploiting matchups as he always does…
Brady is throwing almost exclusively to his wide receivers who are covered by Marshall and Keo.
— Les Shapiro (@LesShapiro) January 24, 2016
Denver again had to make a fourth-down stop in the red zone…
4th & championship twice & Denver wins!
— Marcus Moore (@mmchi3) January 24, 2016
Denver needed 10 yards to end the game…
One first down and the Broncos go tothe Super Bowl. Get er done Peyton. #Broncos
— Delano White Jr (@bigdeewhite) January 24, 2016
It didn’t happen…
Going to come down to defense again. #Broncos
— Raul Martinez (@RaulNBCBoston) January 24, 2016
And the doubt simply wouldn’t go away…
If the Broncos dodge one more bullet, then this defense is Neo.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) January 24, 2016
On fourth down, Josh Bush allows a 40-yard pass to Gronk and breaks 2.2 million hearts in Denver…
Horrible play by Bush! OMG! #Broncos
— Delano White Jr (@bigdeewhite) January 24, 2016
Denver was asked to make ANOTHER fourth-down stop, none bigger…
Fourth-and-goal at the 4. 0:17 left. North end zone. The tension … indescribable.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) January 24, 2016
Brady and Gronk connected again…
Gronk pushed off, as he is wont to do, but man what a game
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) January 24, 2016
Now Denver had to get a stop on a two-point conversion…
Broncos defense did this against the Bears, remember? The game-clinching stop on the 2-poitn conversion. Talib is the hero with the PD.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) January 24, 2016
With that, the Broncos were headed to Santa Clara…
Broncos 20. Patriots 18. Denver going to back to the Bowl! #NEvsDEN
— cover32 Broncos (@cover32_DEN) January 24, 2016
And suddenly, people were starting to believe…
https://twitter.com/ReillyRick/status/691404380793212928