Broncos Rewind: 2015 AFC Championship: New England at Denver

The rivalry that shaped the NFL for over a decade: Brady vs. Manning had the final installment in the 2015 AFC Championship Game. It would turn out to be the final game between these two legends, and a trip to Super Bowl 50 was on the line.

The game begins with a little video package about Brady and Manning, and then the scene is set with a wild Denver crowd waving those orange pom-poms and anticipation of the kickoff at a fever pitch on a picture perfect Sunday in Colorado. There are big games, but some of those big games just feel really, really big. This was one of those.

The Patriots won the toss and elected to receive and their first drive starts on their own 20.

On 1st and 10, Brady hits Rob Gronkowski for a short gain of 4 over the middle and Danny Trevathan takes him down immediately. On 2nd and 5, Brady hits Julian Edelman for a gain of 8 over the middle and a flag for defensive holding is declined. On 1st and 10 form the 33, James White gets 2 yards up the middle. On 2nd and 8, Brady throws wide to Edelman in the flat and Bradley Roby was all over him. On 3rd and 8, Brady throws incomplete over the middle and the ball the was tipped by Malik Jackson and it was almost intercepted by Darian Stewart. The Pats punt to Denver and Jordan Norwood gets tackled right away.

Broncos first possession starts on their own 17 yard line.
On 1st and 10, Manning throws incomplete to Ronnie Hillman on a play-action pass. On 2nd and 10, Manning throws incomplete to Vernon Davis as it gets knocked away by Devin McCourty. On 3rd and 10, Manning hits Emmanuel Sanders for a gain of 11 as Sanders jumps up to get it for a big first down. On 1st and 10 from the 28, Hillman gets killed by Jaime Collins on a run up the middle. On 2nd and 11, Manning hits Sanders again for a gain of 13 and another first down on a nice hook route. On 1st and 10, C.J. Anderson gets 2 on a run up the middle. On 2nd and 8, Anderson runs again for 2 up the middle. On 3rd and 6, Manning throws incomplete to Demaryius Thomas but the Pats get flagged for pass interference and the Broncos get another first down. On 1st and 10 from the NE 42, Hillman scoots for 7 yards over left tackle. On 2nd and 3, Manning runs a bootleg and hits Andre Caldwell down to the NE 20. Great play call by Gary Kubiak. Hillman gets stopped for a loss of 1 and it sets up and 2nd and 11 from the Pats 21. On the next play, Manning hits a wide open Owen Daniels for a 21 yard TD over the middle. Daniels ran a double move on Jaime Collins and he broke wide open and Manning hit him in stride. Brandon McManus hits the extra point and the Broncos lead 7-0.

New England's second drive starts at their own 20.
On 1st and 10, Brady throws for Edelman underneath, who gets 7 and Aqib Talib tackles him. On 2nd and 3, Derek Wolfe knocks down a Brady pass. On 3rd and 3, Brady throws behind Gronk and T.J. Ward was all over him as the pass goes out of bounds. The Patriots punt and Norwood returns it to the 34.

Denver's second possession starts at their own 34.
On 1st and 10, Manning throws a quick screen to Thomas for a gain of 5. On 2nd and 5, Hillman loses a yard once again. On 3rd and 6, a pass to Bennie Fowler got knocked away and the Broncos have to punt. Danny Amendola returns to it to the NE 40.

The Patriots third possession starts at their own 40. On 1st and 10, an inside by Stephen Jackson gets only 3. A personal foul penalty on the Pats knocks them back. On 2nd and 20, Manning hits Amendola underneath and he gets wrapped up quick by T.J. Ward. On 3rd and 14, Brady gets sacked by Derek Wolfe and the Pats will have to punt once again. The Denver pass rush is just getting started in this game. Norwood calls for a fair catch at his own 20.

Denver's third possession starts at their own 25 after a penalty on NE. On 1st and 10, Hillman gets only 2 yards on a run. On 2nd and 8, Manning throws a swing pass to Hillman and it is incomplete. The Pats challenge that the ball was thrown backwards. The officials rule in NE favor and the Pats get the ball on a huge break and huge turnover.

The Pats fourth possession starts on the Denver 22. On 1st and 10, Brady hits Brandon Bolden on a pass in the flat, and Bolden takes all the way down inside the five to set up a 1st and goal. On 1st and goal, Jackson rumbles up the middle for a 2 yard TD run and it is now 7-6. Stephen Gostkowski, who never misses a PAT, somehow pushes it right, and the score remains 7-6. Even though there was still a lot of time left in the game, you had a feeling that play would come back to haunt the Pats and of course it did.

Denver's next possession starts on their own 20. On 1st and 10, a pitch to Anderson gets about 3. On 2nd and 7, Manning checks it down to Anderson who only gets a couple. On 3rd and 4, Manning throws deep to Sanders down the left side and Sanders leaps up to catch it for a gain of 34 down to the NE 40. Sanders made a great play there. On 1st and 10, a Hillman run gets no gain as the 1st quarter ends.

End of 1st Quarter: Broncos-7 Patriots-6

Start of 2nd Quarter
Denver has 2nd and 10 from the Pats 39. Manning throws incomplete to Virgil Green as Donta Hightower knocks it away. On 3rd and 10, Manning throws high to Thomas down the sideline and Denver punts and Amendola fair catches it at the NE 14.

The Patriots next possession starts on their own 14. On 1st and 10, Brady gets rushed by Von Miller and he throws it away. Miller begins to assert his dominance at this point. On 2nd and 10, Brady gets intercepted by Von Miller on a great disguise by Wade Phillips and the Broncos defense. Miller undercuts the route to Gronk and he falls down at the Pats 16.

Denver's possession starts at the NE 16. On 1st and 10, Manning just misses a wide open Sanders in the endzone as the pass falls incomplete. On 2nd and 10, Hillman runs up the middle for a gain of 4. On 3rd and 6, Manning hits Daniels again in the corner of the endzone for a 12 yard TD pass. Daniels ran another double move on Jaime Collins again and beat him again and Manning made a great throw. McManus nails the PAT and it is 14-6 Denver with 13:46 left in the half.

The Pats return the kickoff to their own 24. The Pats next possession takes place at their own 24.
On 1st and 10, Brady misses Bolden deep on the sideline and Brandon Marshall was all over him and Brady got pressured again. On 2nd and 10, Brady has to call a timeout and then after the timeout Brady threads one into Gronk for a gain of 19 and a huge first down. From their own 43, on 1st and 10, a false start on NE knocks them back 5. On 1st and 15, an inside run to White gets about 2 as Trevathan swallows him up. On 2nd and 13, Brady throws to Amendola in the flat as Chris Harris tackles him immediately for a gain of only 4. On 3rd and 9, Brady gets flushed out by Demarcus Ware and his pass is incomplete but a flag on Denver for illegal contact gives the Pats an automatic first down. On 1st and 10 from the 49, Bolden runs up the middle for no gain as Malik Jackson takes him down. On 2nd and 10, Brady hits White on a slant as Darian Stewart crushes him but the Pats get a first down. On 1st and 10 from the Denver 40, Jackson runs for a loss of one. On 2nd and 11, Brady throws incomplete to White in the flat. On 3rd and 11, Brady somehow scrambles for a first down on a gain of 11 as Talib trips him up. From the Broncos 30 on 1st and 10, Brady throws incomplete to a diving Edelman. On 2nd and 10, Brady hits White over the middle for a gain of 7. On 3rd and 3, Brady gets sacked by Ware and Miller as he had no chance and no opportunity to make a throw. A huge sack by Denver forces Gostkowski to hit a 46 yard FG to cut the lead to 14-9 with 7:02 left in the half.

Denver's next possession starts at their own 20.
On 1st and 10, Anderson gets 3 on a run to the left. On 2nd and 7, Anderson runs again for 2 yards to the right side. On 3rd and 5, Manning is rushed and is forced to throw the ball away to avoid the sack. Denver punts.

The Patriots next possession starts at their own 40 after a Denver penalty for having one of their players run out of bounds on the punt and re-enter the play. On 1st and 10, Bolden squirts his way for 4. On 2nd and 6, Bolden runs up the middle for a gain of 1 as Trevathan and Ward snuff it out. On 3rd and 5, Brady gets crushed by Jackson as he throws it and Darian Stewart jumps in front and picks it off on the Denver sideline for a huge interception. Another big play by the Broncos defense is caused by the relentless pass rush.

 Denver takes over with 4:08 to go in the half at their own 44. On 1st and 10, the Broncos have a false start and it becomes 1st and 15. Manning gets decked by Alan Branch for a sack and a loss of 7. On 2nd and 22, a pass to Thomas is dropped over the middle and falls incomplete. On 3rd and 22, Anderson runs up the middle for a gain of only 6. Denver punts and NE takes over on their own 12 with 2:27 to go in the half.

The Patriots next possession starts at their own 12. On 1st and 10, Jackson runs for a gain of 2. The 2:00 warning hits. On 2nd and 8, another false start moves the Pats back 5 yards and it now becomes 2nd and 13. Brady throws low and incomplete to Keshawn Martin. On 3rd ad 13, the Pats go conservative and run it up the middle with James White for a few and Denver wisely takes their 2nd timeout. NE punts and Denver takes over at their own 46.

Denver's next possession starts at their own 46 with 1:45 to go in the half.
On 1st and 10, Anderson runs left for a gain of 9. On 2nd and 1, Manning hits Thomas over the middle for a first down and the Broncos have the ball at the NE 40. Manning hits Anderson in the flat for a gain of 6 and Anderson gets out of bounds with 47 seconds left. On 2nd and 4, Manning goes deep for Sanders but the ball is overthrown. On 3rd and 4, throws incomplete to Thomas on a backshoulder fade as Logan Ryan breaks it up but Thomas could have had it. McManus lines up and nails a 52 yard FG to make it 17-9 Denver with 38 seconds left in the half.

The Pats next possession starts at their own 20 after the touchback and a Brady knee runs out the clock on the half and Denver heads into the locker room up 17-9

Halftime: Broncos-17 Patriots-9.

Start of the 3rd quarter.

Denver's first possession starts at their own 20.
On 1st and 10, Hillman runs for no gain. On 2nd and 10, Manning has to take another sack as Jaime Collins gets him for a loss of 13. On 3rd and 23, Anderson runs up the middle on a draw for a gain of only 6 and the Broncos have to punt. Danny Amendola returns it to the NE 34.

The Patriots possession takes place at their own 34 with 13:15 to go in the quarter.
On 1st and 10, Brady throws incomplete to Gronk, who had Trevathan all over him. On 2nd and 10, Brady lasers one to Gronk who then rumbles down to the Denver 36 for a gain of 32. On 1st and 10, Brady hits Edelman for a gain of 6 to the 30. On 2nd and 4, Brady completes a pass to Amendola over the middle for another first down as Amendola got rocked by Stewart on the play. On 1st and 10 at the Denver 20, Brady's pass hits White in the endzone but he dropped it as pressure forced Brady to throw it early. On 2nd and 10, an inside run to White gets no gain as Vance Walker buries him. On 3rd and 10, Brady's pass gets broken up by Chris Harris. The Pats settle for FG and Gostkowski nails the 38 yarder to make it 17-12 Denver.

Denver's next possession starts at their own 20 with 10:26 to go in the quarter.
On 1st and 10, Anderson runs for no gain as Hightower bottles him up. On 2nd and 10, Manning goes deep for Thomas but the pass is too long and incomplete. On 3rd and 10, Manning somehow scrambles for 12 and first down! Incredible play by Manning. On 1st and 10, Manning hits Cody Latimer on a play-action pass for another first down to the Denver 45. On 1st and 10, Hillman runs up the middle for a gain of 2. On 2nd and 8, Manning hits Sanders in the flat for a gain of 7. On 3rd and 1, a quick pitch to Anderson gets snuffed out by Malcolm Butler for a loss of 1, and the Broncos have to punt. The Pats take over at their own 8 after a fair catch.

The Patriots next possession starts at their own 8 with 6:42 seconds left in the 3rd quarter.
On 1st and 10, Brady gets crushed by Von Miller for a sack and a loss of 5. What a speed rush by Miller to get to Brady. On 2nd and 16, a run to Bolden gets about 3. On 3rd and 13, Brady dumps it off to White but Miller is there to wrap him up right away for a gain of only a couple. On 4th and 10, the Pats have to punt out of their own end zone and the ball is downed at the Denver 43.

Denver's next possession starts at their own 43 with 4:40 to go in the quarter.
On 1st and 10, Hillman runs up the middle for 4. On 2nd and 6, Manning has no chance and gets sacked by Collins after a play-action fake. On 3rd and 19, Manning dumps it off to Anderson for a gain of 9 and Denver has to punt again. Britton Colquitt's punt is saved by Kayvon Webster and the ball is downed inside the 5 on a brilliant special teams play.

The Patriots next possession starts at their own 4 with 2:35 to go in the 3rd quarter.
On 1st and 10, Brady hits Amendola for a gain of 9. On 2nd and 1, Brady sneaks for a first down. On 1st and 10, Brady hits Gronk for a first down on a crossing route. On 1st and 10 from the 28, Brady has to throw it away as Malik Jackson was in his face right away form the snap. On 2nd and 10, Brady throws high and wide to Edelman for an incomplete pass. On 3rd and 10, Brad gets sacked once again by Von Miller, who just speed rushes again and gets Brady once again. The performance by Miller in this game is Hall of Fame worthy at this point. Jordan Norwood returns the punt to the Broncos 40 as the 3rd quarter ends on that play.

End of the 3rd quarter: Broncos-17 Patriots-12

Broncos next possession starts at their own 40.
On 1st and 10, Manning hits Norwood in the flat for a gain of a couple. On 2nd and 7, Manning hits Sanders for a gain of 6 on the sideline. On 3rd and 1, Anderson runs left for a big gain down to the Pats 20 and a gain of 30. Huge run by C.J. in that spot. On 1st and 10, Anderson runs right for a gain of 8. On 2nd and 2, Hillman runs up the middle for no gain. On 3rd and 2 from the NE 14, Manning hits Sanders on a quick slant for a first down and a gain of 4. On 1st and Goal from the 10, Anderson runs right but loses 3. On 2nd and Goal, Manning overthrows Daniels in the endzone as he was double covered. On 3rd and Goal, Manning just overthrows Norwood in the endzone and the pass falls incomplete. Manning had him for a touchdown but just threw it a little too far. Missed opportunity but McManus hits the 31 yard FG and the Broncos now lead 20-12 with 10:02 to play in the game.

The Patriots next possession starts at their own 20 with 10:02 left in the game.
On 1st and 10, Brady throws for Amendola but Talib tipped it and almost picked it off. On 2nd and 10, Brady completes a pass to Edelman over the middle, and he gets crushed by Shiloh Keo but Keo gets flagged for a helmet-to-helmet hit and a 15-yard personal foul. On 1st and 10 from their own 43, Bolden runs up the middle and gets 3 as he gets body-slammed by Derek Wolfe. On 2nd and 7, Brady swings it out to Bolden for a first down to the Broncos 44. On 1st and 10, Brady gets pressured by Ware and has to rush his throw and misses Gronk over the middle. On 2nd and 10 after a Denver timeout, Brady rushes his throw and just misses James White down the sideline. On 3rd and 10, Brady hits Edelman over the middle for a first down to the Denver 25. On 1st and 10, White runs up the middle for a loss of two as Trevathan and Marshall wrap him up. On 2nd and 12, Brady overthrows White again in the endzone and it falls incomplete but Trevathan was with him stride for stride. On 3rd and 12, Brady hits Amendola short but he breaks 3 tackles and gets 11 to set up 4th and 1. Bill Belichick foregoes the field goal attempt and on 4th and 1, Brady rolls right, gets rushed by Ware and throws back to Edelman, who gets stopped for a loss of 2 by Harris and Talib. The Broncos defense holds with 5:56 to go in the game. Huge stop by the Broncos and their defense rises up once again.

Denver's next possession starts at their own 17 with 5:56 left in the game.
On 1st and 10, Anderson runs for no gain. On 2nd and 9, Manning throws incomplete intended for Thomas. On 3rd and 9, a false start on Thomas moves them back 5. On 3rd and 14, Manning checks it down to Hillman for a gain of 7. Denver has to punt and NE gets it at their own 27.

The Patriots next possession starts at their own 27 with 4:35 to go in the game.
On 1st and 10, Brady has to rush the throw and it falls incomplete as Miller and Jackson were all over him once again. On 2nd and 10, Brady hits White over the middle and he gets a first down to the Pats 44. On 1st and 10, Brady hits Gronk on a seam route for a huge play down to the Denver 27. On 1st and 10, Brady hit Gronk over the middle but Harris tackles him for a gain of 5. On 2nd and 5, an incomplete pass to White is nullified by a defensive holding call on Brandon Marshall. On 1st and 10 from the Broncos 18 with 2:36 to play, Brady hits White in the flat for a gain of 9 down to the Denver 9. On 2nd and 1, Brady has to throw incomplete because Ware was all over him. On 3rd and 1, Brady sneaks it for no gain but a false start on NE moves them back 5. On 3rd and 6, Brady's pass to Amendola is broken up and falls incomplete. On 4th and 6, the Pats go for it again with 2:25 to go in the game from the Denver 14, Brady throws for Gronk in the back of the endzone and it falls incomplete as Gronk was triple-covered on the play. The pocket was collapsing around Brady once again as Jackson and Ware forced Brady to backpedal and heave the ball in the endzone. Another huge stop by the Broncos defense on Brady and the Pats offense.

Denver's next possession starts at their own 14 with 2:18 to play in the game.
On 1st and 10, Anderson runs right for a gain of 2 and NE takes their first timeout with 2:13 left. On 2nd and 8, Anderson runs left and loses 2. NE takes their second timeout with 2:09 to go. On 3rd and 10, Manning throws deep down the sideline for Sanders and Malcolm Butler breaks it up for an incomplete pass. Denver punts to the NE 35 and Edelman takes it to the 50 with 1:52 to go in the game.

The Patriots next possession starts at the 50 with 1:52 to go.
On 1st and 10, Brady throws incomplete to White down the sideline and Marshall breaks it up. On 2nd and 10, Brady throws incomplete as Ware grabs him and pulls him down just as Brady let it go. On 3rd and 10, Brady avoids the sack as Ware had him again and the ball falls incomplete. How was that not intentional grounding? On 4th and 10, Brady hits Gronk on a seam route down to the Denver 10 for a huge first down. What a play by Brady and Gronk! On 1st and Goal from the Denver 10 with just over a minute to go, Brady is forced to throw early and the ball falls incomplete to White. On 2nd and Goal with 54 seconds left, Brady a quick screen to Edelman gets it down to the 4. On 3rd and Goal, Brady is pressured and throws incomplete. Ware, Miller and Wolfe were all there on the play. On 4th and Goal with 17 seconds left, the Pats take their last timeout. On 4th down, Brady somehow finds Gronk open in the endzone as he fights off a double team for the touchdown to make it 20-18 with 12 seconds left. The Pats have to go for the two-point conversion. On the play, Brady is rushed and the ball is intercepted after being tipped by Talib into the hands of Bradley Roby to secure the game. The Broncos defense comes up big once again in the biggest spot of the game.

Shiloh Keo recovers the onside kick to secure the game and the AFC Championship!

Denver's next possession starts at the NE 42.
On 1st and 10, Manning takes a knee and the clock runs out as the final seconds tick off, and the Broncos upset the Pats to win the AFC Championship and head to Super Bowl 50. This was one of the most intense and tremendously played games I have witnessed as a Broncos fan. The Broncos defense and Wade Phillips faced their biggest test of the year against Tom Brady and the Pats and they responded time after time. It was a tremendous heavyweight battle, and what a perfect way for Peyton Manning to go out and beat Tom Brady in the last ever game between these two legends. The Broncos advance to their second Super Bowl in three years and their 8th Super Bowl in franchise history.