Broncos’ all-out blitz gamble on convert pays off
DENVER— With potentially one play to either clinch a spot in the National Football League’s Super Bowl or send the AFC championship game to overtime, the Denver Broncos called an all-out blitz.
Of course they did, because that’s the type of call defensive coordinator Wade Phillips has made all season — regardless of the opposing quarterback, the opposing receivers or just how depleted his secondary might have become because of injuries.
And just like so many other calls that have paid off for Phillips and his No. 1-ranked defense this year, it worked to perfection.
This time, it came on a two-point conversion in the final seconds of Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots for the AFC title. Stop it, and the Broncos would hold their 20-18 win, pending an onside kick. Mess up, and the game would almost surely go to overtime. Phillips decided it wasn’t time to be passive.
The Broncos called an all-out blitz, and each of their pass rushers came charging at Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. That pressure forced the quarterback to roll right out of the pocket. Two defenders meanwhile bracketed their coverage on tight end Rob Gronkowski, leaving cornerback Aqib Talib alone to cover Julian Edelman in the front of the end zone.
Indeed, Talib was on Edelman tight enough to beat him to the ball, and get a hand on the ball before the receiver could grab it. The ball popped right up in the air.
“I won’t say scary, but it was an intense moment,” Talib said.
“I was falling on the ground and the ball was in the air,” added the cornerback.
Once again, it was cornerback Bradley Roby to the rescue.
The Broncos’ No. 3 corner came charging forward and caught the ball like he was receiving a punt. Roby raced out of the end zone, eventually fumbling. But that was it. The final defensive stop in a game that was full of them.