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On their first play from scrimmage, Denver Bronco running back
Rashad Jennings took a simple toss right, found the edge, and raced
81 yards to paydirt setting a tone the Green Bay Packers would not
be able to respond to. Jennings would rush for 124 yards on just 12
carries, QB Peyton Manning completed 21 of 31 passes for 260 yards,
and the Bronco defense was able to find one way after another at
limiting Packer quarterback Nick Foles in securing their first ever
title.
The Broncos would have it go all their way early including a crucial
4th and 1 stop at their 4 yard line in the second quarter. On that
play, Denver sold out on a key of running back Reggie Bush and the
Packers had precisely what they wanted.
But
the Bronco defense was able to deflect the pass preventing the
score. From there, Denver would march 87 yards before stalling at
the Packer 9 and settling for Matt Prater chip shot field goal
making it 10-0.
But the Packers would come to life and put together a 60 yard drive
that began when the kickoff went out of bounds. Foles would find WR
Greg Jennings from 9 yards out to close out the half with Denver
leading it 10-7.
The Broncos would take the opening possession and put up 3 more
points following a 12 play 73 yard drive that, again, stalled. The
Packers, sensing a shift in momentum, blasted their way some 85
yards in 11 plays scoring on a RB Frank Gore dive from 1 yard out
giving Green Bay their lone lead of the game at 14-13 late in the
third quarter.
With Mo clearly on their side, the Packers turned up the heat and
sacked Manning on a key 3rd and 5 play to force another punt.
However, the Denver defense then trumped that stand with one of
their own sending Green Bay off the field on a quick 3-and-out.
From there, Denver took control.
First, they put together another long drive, this one 77 yards, that
ended in another field goal to put them up 16-14 and then DE Vinny
Curry would come up with a huge sack on 3rd down pinning Green Bay
back. The Broncos would get the ball and score quickly with Manning
hooking up with RB James Starks for a 16 yard gain on a screen play
to the Packer 38 and then a TD pass from Manning to a wide open Doug
Baldwin to make it 23-14 with 7:05 left.
The Packers, as always, responded and drove the ball to the Denver
12 before having to accept a short field goal by Josh Brown making
it 23-17 with 2:11 left. Green Bay kicked the ball and elected to
play defense rather than go for the onsides kick. But, on 2nd and
10, Denver's Manning lofted a pass to Baldwin despite the fact Green
bay anticipated the play and Baldwin elevated and hauled the ball
down for a back breaking 30 yard gain. Still, Green Bay would be
able to force a punt with a shade under a minute remaining. Punter
Michael Koenen had, perhaps, his best kick of the year, pinning the
ball out of bounds at the Packer 2. Green Bay could not move the
ball and on 4th down Foles would be sacked one more time by Curry
and the Broncos began their victory dance.
News and Notes; Green Bay's Foles had a woeful game completing 20
of 37 passes for just 195 yards and was sacked three times. Green
Bay dominated the time of possession and ran the ball very well but
suffered some key penalties and could not dent the "bend but don't
break" philosophy of the Broncos. Denver's Baldwin would snag 3
balls for 80 yards and the touchdown but it would have to be the
heroism of the Denver defense that deserves the credit on this day
in Florida. The Packer's 17 point total was their lowest of the
season and you have to point to Bronco coach Roberto Tosco's game
plan. Tosco won his 5th title as a coach and called a terrific
game....
Congrats to Denver!!!
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