2014 NFL Playoffs: What Went Wrong For the Broncos?
A funny thing happened on the way to another Peyton Manning-Tom Brady encounter in the AFC playoffs.
Actually, it’s not very funny. Manning and the second-seeded Denver Broncos came up way short against the visiting Indianapolis Colts, 24-13.
A season that began with a 31-24 home win over Chuck Pagano’s club ended with a disappointing effort in which the Broncos gained 68 yards on seven plays on their first drive of the game. It ended with a one-yard Manning-to-Demaryius Thomas touchdown connection and a 7-0 Denver lead.
Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson (22) is tackled by Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Bjoern Werner (92) and cornerback Vontae Davis (21) during the first quarter in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Denver’s final 11 possessions netted a mere 220 yards and a pair of field goals. The supposedly much-improved ground attack of the Broncos managed a mere 88 yards on 20 carries. In their previous six games, John Fox’s club had averaged just under 148 yards per game on the ground.
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Perhaps the most mysterious aspect of Denver’s offensive approach was the persistency of Manning trying to go deep down the sidelines to both Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. He consistently overthrew receivers and appeared determined to connect for the big play. And it simply didn’t materialize when it came to those wideouts.
Sanders was targeted a game-high 15 times and caught only seven passes for 46 yards. Demaryius Thomas was thrown at 12 times and totaled only five receptions for 59 yards and that aforementioned touchdown.
It wasn’t like the Colts didn’t give the Broncos a few extra chances courtesy of a pair of Andrew Luck interceptions. But Denver never really took full advantage of those miscues, turning both into field goals instead of touchdowns.
Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) throws the ball away to avoid being sacked by Denver Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe (95) during the second quarter in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Meanwhile, the Broncos offense wasn’t the only culprit in the loss. Denver’s defense was supposed to harass Luck on a consistent basis. Instead, the team that featured double-digit sack artists in Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware failed to sack the third-year quarterback, who threw for 265 yards and a pair of touchdowns to go with his two interceptions.
Indianapolis rolled up 364 total yards and held the ball for 34:01 against a Denver team that had not lost a home game in 2014 and had actually prevailed in the last 10 overall efforts in the Mile High City. Now the Colts are headed to the AFC title game for the first time since 2009.
As for Manning, no one is exactly sure where he is headed after another terrific year and yet another playoff disappointment. Let the speculation begin.