Defense carries Broncos

Broncos defense had gotten the better of the Patriots and their dynamic offense.

“It’s always frustrating when you have an opportunity, you’re in the red zone and you just don’t capitalize,” he said. “What else can I really say about that? It’s football. They have a good defense.

“It’s not like we’re going out there and playing some defense that has nobodies on it. They’ve got great players, and they just made more plays than us when they needed to.”

Kubiak said Sunday’s victory epitomized the style of football the Broncos had established throughout the season, winning close games with imposing defensive play and just enough scoring punch from their offense.

“We just kind of held true to what we are,” Kubiak said. “We won a lot of games this year just grinding as a football team, playing great defense, and we played tremendous today.”

Manning, too, has bought into the approach, which has also seen a recalibration of the Denver offense.

Instead of emphasizing the quick strike, as the offense did in the past, the Broncos have consistently sought to establish the run while picking their spots to take shots in the passing game.

The strategy helped young quarterback Brock Osweiler keep the Broncos in playoff contention during a seven-game run as starter in place of injured Manning.

And it has bought time for Manning, who made just his second start since returning from a foot injury, to round into form again.

His touchdown passes to Daniels were his first since a Week 9 loss at the Indianapolis Colts.

The ultimate test, though, looms in the Super Bowl, and Denver will be facing a much different quarterback in Cam Newton, a strong, dynamic runner in addition to his emergence as a polished passer and playmaker.

“We’ve given ourselves an opportunity,” Elway said. “Hopefully we have saved our best for last.”