After a spectacular win at home in Denver, the Broncos and Peyton Manning have won the AFC Championship and are now headed to Super Bowl XLVIII (48). The only question remaining now is who the Broncos will face in 2 weeks. The answer will come in a few hours after the 49ers and Seahawks battle it out for the NFC Championship.
For those who missed the game live, you can watch a replay of the Broncos-Patriots online. Denver took the early lead, and would score on 5 consecutive drives. Meanwhile, the Patriots would end the first half with only a field goal to show for all of their efforts on offense.
Watch Replay of Broncos-Patriots AFC Championship game online on NFL.com
Peyton Manning threw for over 400 completed passes on the day, leading to a total of 26 points for the Broncos. Starting the second half with a 13-3 lead, Manning and his Bronco offense took us the first 7 and a half minutes of the 3rd quarter on a single touchdown drive, putting Denver up 20-3. Another field goal later, it was 23-3 in the 4th quarter.
Keeping the Patriots offense off of the field so much was a huge part of the reason for the Denver Broncos win. When the Patriots managed a touchdown, the score got a little closer at 23-10, putting Brady and his team within 2 touchdowns.
On their next drive, Manning got the Broncos into field goal position and the Broncos extended the lead to 26-10. Needing two touchdowns and two 2-point conversions, the Patriots scored a touchdown early in the 4th on a Tom Brady scramble into the endzone, and would be within reach if they could complete the 2-point conversion.
But the Broncos defense stopped the 2-point try holding the Patriots to 26-16. Two on-side kicks by the Patriots failed, and the Broncos were able to keep their offense on the field and run out the clock.
Up next, Manning, in what will likely be his final season in the NFL, will take his Broncos to the Super Bowl – looking for his second win in the big game.