Broncos outlast Panthers claim third Super Bowl titl

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SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The aging all-time great quarterback, benched just weeks before, helped his team win an improbable championship. The defensive coordinator with the Texas drawl won the title his father never could. The franchise's biggest legend returned as an executive to win one more title for the ailing team owner. This is the stuff of rejected movie scripts, multiple endings dripping with too much magic to be believed. But it all really happened here in 50 for the during a destructive over the . The authored one of the greatest defensive performances in history against the NFL's top-scoring offense, helping potentially go out a winner. Manning is a great story, but make no mistake: He was a supporting actor in this triumph. It was only fitting that the game's decisive moment was made by linebacker , the MVP.With under five minutes left in a one score game, Miller fought off tackle ' initial block, dipped his shoulder, kept his balance and reached with his long left arm at . Miller finished the play, like he did all afternoon. The ensuing fumble was Carolina's fourth of the day and fourth turnover overall. Like the high-powered and offenses before them, the ' offense had no answers for this incredible group. The defense will be remembered as the key, yet Manning's journey still resonates.Manning said after the game that he will "take time to reflect" before announcing any potential retirement, but every sign points to this being Manning's final game. After coming up short so often in the playoffs with high-powered offenses, it will be hard for Manning to resist riding off into the sunset on the back of this defense. "I'll take some time to reflect. I got a couple priorities first," Manning told CBS' Tracy Wolfson after the game. "I'm going to Zion Williamson Jersey go ki s my wife and kids. I want to hug my family. I'm going to drink a lot of Budweiser tonight, Tracy, I promise you that. I'm going to take care of those things first. Definitely got to say a little prayer to thank the man upstairs for this great opportunity. I'm just very grateful." Manning knows that defenses like this don't come around often. The hit 13 times and sacked him seven more. The ' high-powered offense kept getting chances in the second half, but Denver's defense kept stuffing them. Denver's special teams and defense e sentially out-scored the on their own, setting up the for 17 points.It's not like this was a one-sided game. The ' defense stuffed Manning and the ' running game all night. Denver only had 194 yards of offense, 50 yards le s than the previous low for a champion.Manning only threw for 141 yards on 23 attempts, and he had two costly turnovers that kept the in the game. But the ' defense was the best group on the field for three straight playoff games and the ' offense didn't handle the big stage well. Penalties, drops, poor pa s protection and fumbles helped ruin 's coronation. Instead of a new generation rising, this was perhaps the last gasp of some familiar names. Manning wasn't the only longtime veteran adding a championship Sunday night. may have put a closing statement on his candidacy with four QB hits, two sacks and two tackles for lo s. Cornerback bounced back from a terrible first half to help the secondary make big plays after halftime. Defensive tackle and linebacker had monster games on the way to free agency payday. This was an incredibly complete defense, and their succe s on Sunday night was a validation for executive VP and general manager John Elway. Just two years ago, the were on the wrong side of a 43-8 lo s to the . Elway was determined to make his team tougher, and he spent like crazy in free agency to build one of the game's best defenses. After another painful playoff lo s last season, Elway made the difficult choice to fire popular coach John Fox. Elway brought back old friends Gary Kubiak and defensive coordinator Wade Phillips to coach the team. And Phillips capped off his remarkable career running defenses with his first title. It was an emotional week for so many . Elway couldn't wait to grab the Vince Lombardi trophy on the podium to return the favor to longtime owner Pat Bowlen, who is fighting Alzheimer's disease."This one's for Pat!" Elway said, 18 years after Bowlen dedicated the team's first title to John. Elway, once the leading man, knew that he had the best line of the night. The stole the show in 50, writing a story that will be remembered as long as football is played. Stanley Johnson Jersey