Road to the Super Bowl: How the Broncos reached Santa Clara

Here’s a quick breakdown of how the Denver Broncos went 14-4 on their way playing in Super Bowl 50 against the Carolina Panthers.

High point

The Broncos won a crucial week 16 game against the Cincinnati Bengals with Brock Osweiler as their quarterback. But the next week Peyton Manning returned to the starting lineup in the third quarter and led four scoring drives as the Broncos defeated San Diego 27-20 to clinch the AFC West, a first-round bye and home-field advantage. Manning has been diminished this season, but it was the right call.

Low point

It had to be the Broncos’ 29-13 loss to the Chiefs in week 10. Not only did their lose to their AFC West rivals, Manning — who was playing through foot and rib injuries — suffered plenty of embarrassment when he was lifted in the third quarter after completing only 5 of 20 passes for 35 yards and four interceptions. The Broncos only fell to 7-2 with the loss, but the performance did cast some doubt on whether they’d be able to close the season strong.

Play of the year

The Chiefs’ pain in week two was the Broncos’ gain when cornerback Bradley Roby recovered Jamaal Charles’ fumble with 27 seconds left in the fourth quarter and returned it 21 yards for a touchdown that snapped a tie and gave the Broncos a 31-24 victory, their seventh straight over the Chiefs. The game made a significant difference in the final standings, too. Had the Chiefs won, they would have won the AFC West.

Team MVP

Outside linebacker Von Miller is the Broncos’ best player and an elite pass rusher who must be accounted for at all times. Miller, 26, used quickness, speed and pass-rush savvy to tally 35 tackles and 11 sacks this season. Denver’s defense features several outstanding players, but Miller is the man who makes it go.

Best coaching move

Coach Gary Kubiak’s decision to turn to Manning in week 17 wasn’t necessarily a gimme. Osweiler had completed 14 of 22 passes for 232 yards, with a touchdown and two interceptions, and the Broncos only trailed 13-7 when Kubiak turned to Manning in the third quarter of the Chargers game. Manning entered to a standing ovation, and the Broncos haven’t lost since.

Defining moment

In the AFC Championship Game, the Broncos did what the Chiefs could not the previous week, which is batter Tom Brady. The Broncos hit New England’s star quarterback more than 20 times in a 20-18 victory after the Chiefs hit him just twice in the divisional round. It was a testament to the strength of the league’s best pass rush, which is guided by one of the league’s best defensive minds in defensive coordinator Wade Phillips. After years of Denver being an offensive juggernaut, Manning’s descent due to age and injuries has been offset by the Broncos’ outstanding defense.

This story was originally published January 30, 2016 at 6:57 PM with the headline "Road to the Super Bowl: How the Broncos reached Santa Clara."