Peyton Manning, game manager, is a little difficult for fans to watch. But riding a turnover-free quarterback and the best defense in football is the Broncos’ best chance to beat the Patriots and make it to Santa Clara
DENVER — The sight is still hard to reconcile. On his own 39-yard line, facing the type of third-and-11 that feels insurmountable these days, Peyton Manning sailed another incompletion past Jordan Norwood to send the Broncos’ punt team back onto the field. Restlessness joined the wind whipping through Sports Authority Field. As the third quarter wound down, Denver trailed 13-12 and had failed to find a spark on offense all afternoon.