DENVER (AP) — If this 17th matchup with Tom Brady was indeed the final one, Peyton Manning got the last laugh — thanks to Von Miller.
The star of Denver’s dizzying defense had 2½ sacks, an interception that set up a touchdown and a pass breakup in the Broncos’ 20-18 win over the New England Patriots in the AFC championship game Sunday.
“Hey, I tell you. I can do it all, baby,” Miller cracked.
No joke.
The Broncos (14-4) beat the Patriots (13-5) for the second time this season, and they dethroned the defending champs by hitting Brady an incredible 23 times.
“He was rattled,” Aqib Talib said. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anybody put that much pressure on Tom — ever. So, I think we did a hell of a job getting that pressure on him. That’s why we’re going to the ‘ship.”
Along with Manning, who was hit just four times.
“I’ve enjoyed playing on the same team as that defense,” Manning said.
“I’m glad I haven’t had to face them this season, I’ll say that. They’ve been challenging to go against in practice, going back to training camp, but it is special to watch them work and watch them perform on Sunday.”
Brady praised not only Denver’s front seven, but its star-studded secondary.
“It was just tough for us to ever get in a rhythm,” Brady said.
Denver, which led the league in defense for the first time in franchise history, held on fourth down inside the 20 on consecutive drives before allowing Rob Gronkowski to haul in a 4-yard touchdown pass with 12 seconds left.
A bruised and battered Brady tried to hit Julian Edelman over the middle for the tying 2-point conversion. Talib batted the pass into the air and Bradley Roby intercepted it.
Brady misfired 29 times to go with his 27 completions and finished with a paltry passer rating of 56.4.
“They said we couldn’t cover their receivers and their tight ends — and we shut them down,” cornerback Chris Harris Jr said.