Ravens Outlast Broncos
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Doug Pensinger/Getty Images(DENVER) — The Ravens are heading back to the AFC Championship Game.
Justin Tucker hit a 47-yard field goal in the second overtime for the Baltimore Ravens to give them a win over the top-seeded Denver Broncos and a trip to the AFC Championship game on Saturday at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.
Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning was intercepted near the end of the first overtime, and from there the Ravens set up the winning kick. Manning was picked off twice overall and fumbled once despite passing for 290 yards and three touchdowns.
The Ravens almost didn’t get a chance to win the game. They trailed by seven with under a minute to go, but quarterback Joe Flacco was able to find receiver Jacoby Jones behind the Denver defense for a 70-yard touchdown with 31 seconds left that tied the game at 35.
“Our team is so confident and everything went against us,” Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis said, “but we found a way to come here together and we’re leaving together.”
Denver looked to be heading to a win behind returner Trindon Holliday, who returned a punt 90 yards and a kickoff 104 yards for touchdowns before coughing up the late lead.
The Ravens will play in their second straight championship game next weekend against the winner of Houston and New England.
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