AFC’s Road to the Super Bowl Goes Through Denver

Denver Broncos to Host AFC Championship Game

Jan 24, 2016 on CBS

AFC’s road to the Superbowl still goes through the Mile High City. The Denver Broncos beat the Steelers with a final score of 23 to 16 in front of a hometown crowd with a healthy Peyton Manning. While Peyton didn’t throw his best game ever, he led the Broncos to the AFC Championship.

Ben Roethlisberger showed in the first drive of the game that he was still a gunslinger when he threw the ball 60 yards sending a message to all the doubters of his throwing abilities. As the Broncos had expected, there were plenty of receivers to step up in the absence of Antonio Brown. Roethlisberger again threw for over 300 yards against the number 1 defense– the only quarterback all season to do so

The first three quarters of play were a story of windy weather and Broncos dropped passes. Steelers’ punter had short punts that hooked left and right giving the Broncos good field position. The more crucial mistakes were made by the Broncos offense who continued to get in their own way with their multiple dropped passes and were held to field goals through the third quarter. Their defense, however was successful at holding the Steelers to only one touch down through the entire game.

In the fourth quarter, Steelers offense found its rhythm and was effectively moving the ball when cornerback Roby forced a Steeler fumble which was recovered by Demarcus Ware.

Broncos converted this turnover into their first touchdown of the game. On third and goal, Steelers defense had made a strong goal line stand when Manning’s quick count and hand off to Anderson caught the Steelers’ defense on their heels and allowed for a scoring push across the goal line.

With three minutes left in the game Steelers had three time outs and a two minute warning when the began their drive on the 20 yard line. Denver defense made a playoff-worthy stand when Steelers called for the go ahead on 4th and 5. Denver’s secondary didn’t leave an open receiver down field for Roethlisberger — who held onto the ball long enough for a sack– Denver took over on downs and ultimately won the game.

Next Sunday, Denver Broncos will host the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship. Broncos will have to again beat the Patriots, but this time they will have Peyton Manning to drive their offense.