By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
Peyton Manning took the Broncos offense to historic heights in 2013, riding a deep arsenal of weapons to a single-season record 55 touchdown passes. Denver got the better of the Patriots in the end, topping them 26-16 in the AFC Championship Game.
But the Pats would not go quietly. On the way to that playoff clash, Bill Belichick and Tom Brady authored one of their greatest regular-season comebacks.
Even with the high-powered Broncos going up 24-0 – with the help of an early defensive touchdown by Von Miller – Brady and Belichick couldn’t be counted out. After chipping it down to 24-7, a Montee Ball fumble gave it back to the Pats and they promptly scored again pull within 10. Peyton Manning recovered his own fumble as the Patriots forced a Broncos punt, which led to another touchdown to make it 24-21.
Then Manning made his worst mistake of all. A Logan Ryan interception set up the Patriots at the Broncos’ 30-yard line, and they scored yet again three plays later to go up 28-24. Manning did get the Broncos back in it with a fourth-quarter touchdown to Demaryius Thomas, but the damage had been done. The Patriots put one last drive together and Stephen Gostkowski finished off the comeback with a game-winning field goal as time expired.
If the Patriots had found a way to go on and win the Super Bowl that season, the comeback would be viewed as one of the team’s most iconic wins in the Belichick era. It sort of is, anyway. Listen below for calls from the game by Bob Socci and Scott Zolak.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.