Denver, CO (Sports Network) - Justin Tucker knocked home a 47-yard field
goal 1:42 into the second overtime to give the Baltimore Ravens a dramatic
38-35 victory over the Denver Broncos in an AFC Divisional Playoff from a
frigid Sports Authority Field at Mile High, with the kick capping a
remarkable comeback that propelled the Ravens into the conference title game
for a second straight year. Tucker's deciding field goal came four plays
after Corey Graham intercepted Peyton Manning in Denver territory for the
second time of the game, while the Ravens forced extra time on a thrilling
70-yard touchdown pass from Joe Flacco to Jacoby Jones with just 31 seconds
remaining in regulation. Flacco also hooked up with Torrey Smith for a pair
of touchdowns earlier on while amassing 331 yards on 18-of-34 passing, with
Ray Rice contributing 131 rushing yards and a touchdown on 30 carries to the
improbable win. The fourth-seeded Ravens will visit the winner of Sunday's
clash between New England and Houston in next weekend's AFC Championship.
Baltimore advanced to the Divisional Round with last week's 24-9 home
decision over Indianapolis, which came days after team leader Ray Lewis
announced he would be retiring at the end of his 17th NFL season. Manning,
who entered the matchup having bested the Ravens nine consecutive times --
including a pair of playoff bouts during his long and storied tenure with the
Colts -- also threw for three touchdowns while accumulating 290 yards and
completing 28-of-43 attempts along with the two picks. Denver, which earned
the AFC's No. 1 overall seed by winning its final 11 regular-season tests,
suffered its first postseason loss at home since a 30-27 ousting by
Jacksonville in a 1996 Divisional Playoff despite a spectacular performance by
return man Trindon Holliday. The speedy specialist took back both a punt and a
kickoff for touchdowns, establishing a new NFL postseason record for the
longest return for each.
The Sports Network