Denver Broncos Win Stunner In Final Seconds

18 Sep, 2015

Manning calmly led the Broncos to a tying touchdown in the final minute, then watched from the sideline as Denver cornerback Bradley Roby returned Jamaal Charles’ fumble 21 yards for another score with 27 seconds left to cap a stunning 31-24 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.

“The talk doesn’t really get to me,” said Manning, who threw for 256 yards and three touchdowns along with a pick-six. “I don’t read a lot of papers and watch a lot of analysis. But obviously, you get friends and teammates and it seems to make them quite angry.

“Obviously, it’s nice when guys on your team, and your friends and family have your back. But it doesn’t affect me,” he added. “We’re 2-0 and played two really good teams.”

Much as he did last week against Baltimore, Manning struggled early against Kansas City (1-1), throwing a costly interception to rookie Marcus Peters as the Broncos dug themselves a 14-0 hole.

But when the game was in the balance, Manning looked like the vintage All-Pro.

After Knile Davis had given the Chiefs the lead with 2:27 left, Manning stoically led the Broncos down field. He completed three long passes to Demaryius Thomas, then hit Emmanuel Sanders on third-and-10 from the Chiefs 19 with 36 seconds remaining to knot the game 24-all.

And when Charles was stripped by Brandon Marshall on the next play from scrimmage, and Roby picked up the loose ball and ran it back, it was Manning who led the celebration.

The dynamic Chiefs running back is typically sure-handed, so when he fumbled early in the game to squander a good scoring chance, everyone on the Kansas City sideline simply brushed it off.

Then came the second fumble, one that essentially cost the Chiefs the game.

“I was just trying to make a play and wasn’t careful with the ball,” said Charles, who ran for 125 yards and a touchdown. “I should have been smarter and put two hands on the ball. I caused us this loss today. I tried to put the team on my back and I ended up losing the game.”

Not entirely, of course. Alex Smith threw two interceptions and the Chiefs had five turnovers in all, and nine penalties kept scuttling what appeared to be promising drives.

AP

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