Manning Still Has It

Peyton Manning throws Broncos over the Chargers to
advance to the AFC championship. Photo credit NFL 

by Brad Barrett

In the first half, it was an offensive struggle. Rivers only had five completions for 20 yards. Also, Ryan Mathews only put up 26 yards in the first half. The Chargers had a big goose egg on the scoreboard. On the other Hand, Denver looked very good early. Manning threw for 100 yards and two touchdowns. Both Ball and Moreno had 40 yards rushing. At half Denver looked to be much in control, up 14-0.

In the third quarter the defenses held strong. The only score was a 45-yard field goal by Prater that barely flew threw the uprights.

Heading into the fourth, the Broncos had a commanding 17-0 point lead.

Rivers and the Chargers started off going straight down the field. The drive was capped off with a 16-yard touchdown pass to star rookie Keenan Allen. The Super Chargers had a jolt of hope. The Broncos wanted to put the game away as they marched down the field. Moreno punched it in for a 3-yard TD run. At this point, I thought the game was done.

I was wrong.

Once again, the Chargers quickly go down the field. Rivers hooks up with Allen for a second time. This one was a 16-yard laser. It was now just a ten point game. Then things got crazy.

Novak had a beautiful onside kick and San Diego recovered it.

They had a chance.

The Chargers were once again able to go down the field, something they couldn’t do for the first three quarters. This time it was Novak’s leg that did the work, knocking in a 30-yard field goal.

San Diego now had to stop Peyton Manning and get the ball back. Something they just couldn’t do. Manning and company wasted the rest of the quarter, as the Chargers’ cinderella run comes to an end. Next week we will get to see another Manning Brady shootout.