Big fourth quarter lifts Broncos over Miami; Patriots dominate Lions: AFC update
Through two quarters, it looked like the Broncos were again heading for trouble. But after trailing 21-17 at halftime and then 28-17 entering the fourth quarter, Peyton Manning dropped a 22-spot in the final frame to lift Denver to a 39-36 victory in comeback fashion.
It wasn’t a must-win for the Broncos in terms of record and position in the standings, but it was needed for the team’s confidence a week after getting upended by the Rams and having lost two of their previous three games.
Manning threw four touchdown passes — three to Demaryius Thomas — while C.J. Anderson, who was making the start in place of an injured Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman, piled up 167 yards on the ground including the go-ahead touchdown. The 201 yards rushing was the Broncos’ highest total of the season, and for the first time this year the offense had true balance to it.
With the Kansas City loss to Oakland Thursday, the Broncos have regained sole possession of first place in the AFC West and could essentially lock down the division title by defeating the Chiefs at Arrowhead next Sunday night.
Sticking in the AFC, it’s not surprising but yet again the Patriots flexed their muscle at Foxborough, dominating the visiting Lions to the tune of a 34-9 victory.
At 9-2, New England is in prime position to take the AFC East and the No. 1 seed in the conference. Tom Brady had another MVP-caliber performance, but more importantly he exposed the No. 1-ranked defense in the NFL. The Pats had success through the air, on the ground, and put the game away before halftime.
For a team that two weeks prior was in the running for the top seed in the NFC, we wonder if the Lions can even manage to vie for an an NFC North crown. Perhaps that’s even too lofty of an expectation at this point in the year given the recent on-the-field woes.
