Denver Broncos lead the New England Patriots 13-3 at halftime of the AFC Championship Game
By Andrew Dill
Jan 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos tight end Jacob Tamme (84) celebrates scoring a touchdown during the first half against the New England Patriots during the 2013 AFC championship playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
The Denver Broncos have taken the early lead in the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots as they lead by the score of 13-3 at halftime. Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning has been excellent thus far, completing 18-of-25 passes for 214 yards and a touchdown. Jacob Tamme caught Manning’s lone touchdown in the second quarter on a 15 play, 93 yard drive that lasted 7:01. Denver’s defense on the other hand has done a good job limiting the Patriots offense led by quarterback by Tom Brady who has completed 9-of-15 passes for 114 yards, holding them to just 119 total yards. New England’s potent running attack has been stuffed by Denver so far for just 16 yards on 8 carries. Here is the play-by-play summary of the first half:
Patriots 1st Drive:
– Brady to Edelman for 5 yards.
– Blount to the right for no gain.
– Brady to Edelman incomplete deflected by Rodgers-Cromartie. 4th Down.
Broncos 1st Drive:
– Manning to J. Thomas for 5 yards.
– Moreno up the middle for 3 yards.
– Manning bobbled snap, pass complete to Decker for 7 yards. First Down.
– Manning pass complete to Decker for 21 yards. First Down.
– Manning pass complete to Welker for 6 yards.
– Moreno tackled for a loss by Hightower for a loss of 5.
– Manning incomplete to Decker. Fourth Down.
Patriots 2nd Drive:
– Brady pass complete to Mulligan for 6 yards.
– Blount run up the middle for 1 yard.
– Brady deep pass to Slater deflected by Tony Carter. Fourth Down.
Broncos 2nd Drive:
– Manning pass complete to J. Thomas for 6 yards.
– Manning screen pass to Moreno complete for 18 yards.
– Manning pass to Ball broken up by Collins.
– Ball rush up the middle for no gain.
– Manning deep pass to D. Thomas complete for 30 yards for a first down.
– Manning deep pass to Decker complete for a first down.
– 1st and Goal: Manning pass to J. Thomas incomplete.
– 2nd and Goal: Moreno rush up the middle for 1 yards.
– 3rd and Goal: Manning pass to Decker overthrown. 4th down.
– 27 yard field goal attempt by Matt Prater is up and good.
– 3-0 Denver
– 10-play, 73 yard drive, 4:07.
Patriots 3rd Drive:
– Brady pass complete to Vereen for first down.
– Pass deep pass incomplete to Edelman overthrown and wide open.
– Ridley rush to the left side for 5 yards.
– 3rd and 5: Brady pass complete to Edelman for 18 yards.
– Ridley rush up the middle for no gain.
– Brady pass to Edelman is incomplete.
– 3rd and 10: Brady pass across the middle to Edelman is complete for 9 yards.
– Pass interference on Hoomanawanui of the offense for a 10-yard penalty.
– 3rd and 20: Brady screen pass to Edelman for 4 yards. 4th down.
– 4th and 16: Punt downed at the 5-yard line.
Broncos 3rd Drive:
– Moreno rush to the left tackle for 11 yards. First down.
– Moreno rush up the middle for 1 yard.
– Manning pass across the middle to D. Thomas dropped.
– 3rd and 9: Manning floater pass complete to Welker for 14 yards.
– Manning pass complete to J. Thomas for 2 yards.
– Green rush up the middle for 7 yards.
– 3rd and 1: Manning pass incomplete to Decker. Holding called on defense Ryan. Automatic first-down.
– Moreno rush to the right side for 3 yards.
– Manning pass complete to Ball for 12 yards for the first down.
– Manning pass to Decker incomplete.
– Manning pass across the middle for Welker incomplete.
– 3rd and 10: Moreno rush up the middle for a gain of 28 yards
– Ball rush up the middle for 9 yards.
– 2nd and 1: Ball rush up the middle for no gain.
– 3rd and 1: Ball rush to the left side for 1 yard. First down.
– 1st and Goal: Manning pass complete to J. Tamme for the touchdown.
– 10-0 Denver
– 15 play, 93-yard drive, 7:01. Tied for their longest drive of the season.
Patriots 4th Drive:
– Brady deep pass to Dobson complete for 20 yards.
– Blount rush to the right side for 3 yards.
– Brady screen pass to Vereen complete for 13 yards. First down.
– Blount rush to the right side for 2 yards.
– Brady pass complete to Hoomanawanui for the first down.
– Blount rush up the middle for no gain.
– Brady pass complete across the middle to Edelman for 2 yards.
– 3rd and 8: Timeout New England
– 3rd and 8: Brady sacked by Ayers for a loss of 11.
– 47 yard field goal attempt by Stephen Gostkowski is good.
– 10-3 Denver
– 9 play, 93-yard drive, 4:56.
Broncos 5th Drive:
– Moreno rush up the middle for a loss of 1.
– Manning pass across the middle to Decker complete for the first down. Clark called for holding on the offense setting up a 2nd and long.
– Manning pass across the middle to D. Thomas for the first down on 2nd and 20.
– Manning pass across the middle to D. Thomas for the first down.
– Manning pass to the left sidelines for Caldwell for the first down.
– Manning pass to the left sidelines for Ball for a gain of 3 yards.
– Manning pass across the middle for Welker for a gain of 2.
– 3rd and 5: Timeout Denver
– 3rd and 5: Manning pass to Moreno for a gain of 4 yards.
– 4th and 1: Denver timeout.
– 35-yard field goal attempt by Matt Prater is up and good.
– 13-3 Denver
Patriots 6th Drive:
– Brady pass across the middle incomplete.
– Brady pass across the middle batted down by DRC. Offsides on Phillips. Repeat 2nd down.
– Brady deep pass intended for Collie overthrown and incomplete.
– 3rd and 5: Vereen rush up the middle for 5 yards.
– END OF 1st HALF.