Ominous Azarenka Dybala stuns fires up as Zhang Roma in another dream continues heated clash TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016 16 19 Blackhawks back to winning ways Page 15 DENVER: New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski leaps over Denver Broncos defensive back Shiloh Keo (33) during the second half of the NFL football AFC Championship game between the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots. (Inset) New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) and Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning speak to one another after the game. — AP photos Broncos to face Panthers in 50th Super Bowl 39 year-old Manning oldest ever Super Bowl quarterback DENVER: Peyton Manning is the only five- ceptions to only nine touchdown passes in able to get off to the sort of start they’ve DENVER’S DEFENSE CARRIES sacks, four quarterback hits, a pass breakup time MVP in NFL history, one of the faces of the regular season, being sidelined for six made commonplace lately, they might not Peyton Manning is glad he doesn’t have and a takeaway that turned into a touch- the league and, at 39, the oldest starting weeks with a series of injuries, getting rele- even give the Broncos a chance to make a to face Denver’s dizzying defense. Tom Brady down. “I tell you, I can do it all,” Miller said quarterback to lead a team to the Super gated to backup duty in the NFL for the first game of it. In their two games this postsea- wasn’t so lucky. The Broncos bashed Brady with a wry smile. “I’m just playing.” But he Bowl. Slowed by age and injury, he is no time, and vehemently denying a report link- son, Carolina outscored its opponents 55-7 throughout a 20-18 dethroning of the New wasn’t kidding. Denver’s defense is no joke. longer the record-breaking passer he once ing Manning’s wife to the banned drug HGH. in the first half. That includes leads of 17-0 England Patriots in the AFC championship “Defense wins championships,” Chris was. Most folks figure Manning’s fourth after one quarter and 24-7 after two against Sunday that sent Denver to a record-tying Harris Jr said, repeating the mantra in case Super Sunday appearance will be his last Story-lines Arizona. “We wanted to start fast,” Newton eighth Super Bowl. Von Miller’s monster per- anybody still doubts Denver. DeMarcus Ware game as a pro. “My role has been different and my con- said. “We wanted to keep the pressure on.” formance led the way for a dominant added seven hits on Brady, including a sand- Cam Newton is at the opposite end of his tributions are different,” Manning said. “But INJURIES: Panthers linebacker Thomas defense that hit Brady 23 times and forced wich sack with Miller, and Derek Wolfe set career, just 26, making his debut in the big I’m fortunate and grateful that I have the Davis said he broke his right forearm against him into 29 incompletions, two fourth-down the early tone with a huge, jaw-rattling hit, a game. He also is expected to earn MVP hon- opportunity to contribute still, in some way. Arizona - “I knew something was wrong,” he flops, and a costly interception on a failed 2- batted down pass and a sack. “He was rat- ors for the first time, part of a new breed of And it’s a great honor to be going back to said - but sounded like someone who plans point try that would have tied it with 12 sec- tled,” said Aqib Talib, whose deflected pass dual-threat QBs as good at running as they the Super Bowl.” Here are some of the other to play in the Super Bowl. The Broncos, onds left. on Brady’s 2-point try settled into Brady are at throwing. story lines for the 50th Super Bowl, which meanwhile, lost both of their starting “Von played phenomenal today,” safety TJ Roby’s hands. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen For the next two weeks, until Manning’s will be Denver’s record-tying eighth and safeties - TJ Ward and Darian Stewart - to Ward said. “I have never seen a performance anybody put that much pressure on Tom - AFC champion Denver Broncos (14-4) play Carolina’s second: injuries during Sunday’s game. like that from one player.” Miller had 2 1/2 ever. So, I think we did a hell of a job getting Newton’s NFC champion Carolina Panthers SUPERMAN: Newton threw for 335 yards that pressure on him. That’s why we’re going (17-1) for the Lombardi Trophy in Santa and two TDs, and he ran for 47 yards and a to the ‘ship.” Clara, California, on Feb. 7, most of the focus pair of scores, leading Carolina past the Along with Manning, who was hit just will be on the two quarterbacks who were Arizona Cardinals 49-15 in the NFC title four times and threw two TD passes to tight No. 1 overall draft picks 13 years apart. “Oh, game Sunday night. It was the type of end Owen Daniels. Manning is seeking his wow,” said Newton, whose Panthers opened dynamic performance he put in all season, second ring and his third for his boss, John as 4-point favorites with most bookmakers. the sort of promise he showed while win- Elway. “Me, personally, I think he still has it, “Playing ‘The Sheriff.’” ning a Heisman Trophy in college at Auburn. although the critics say he doesn’t have it,” “I keep saying it: We’re not finished. We’re receiver Emmanuel Sanders said. “You want ‘Hall of Famer’ not finished,” Newton said. to talk about a guy that started the season That is a reference to Manning, who is 1-2 MILLER TIME: Broncos linebacker Von off 7-0 and is now he is going to the Super in past Super Bowls. He won a championship Miller was terrific Sunday, getting 2 1/2 sacks Bowl. At age 39 or 40 or 70 or how ever old with the Indianapolis Colts in 2007, lost with and an interception in a 20-18 victory over he is, no matter what, he gets the job done.” the Colts in 2010, and lost again with the Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in Two months shy of 40, he’s also trying to Broncos in 2014. But this is a different ver- the AFC title game. “I wanted to do it for supplant Elway as the oldest QB ever to win sion of Manning. Yes, he’s still as good as Peyton,” said Miller, who was injured and a Lombardi Trophy. Standing in their way is anyone at diagnosing defenses and chang- missed Denver’s loss to Seattle in the 2014 Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers (17- ing things up - or appearing to, anyway - at Super Bowl. 1), who throttled the, Arizona Cardinals 49- the line of scrimmage. Yes, he’s still out there DOMINANT DEFENSES: Both of these 15 to reach their first Super Bowl. yelling “Omaha!” teams excel at defense. The Broncos led the “I’ve enjoyed playing on the same team “He most certainly is a Hall of Famer,” NFL with 52 sacks and allowed a league-low as that defense,” Manning said of his team- Panthers coach Ron Rivera said. But 283.1 yards per game, then made life diffi- mates. “I’m glad I haven’t had to face them Manning is not quite as capable as he was, cult as can be for Brady on Sunday, knocking this season, I’ll say that. They’ve been chal- once upon a time, when it comes to putting him to the ground over and over. No one lenging to go against in practice.” Brady the football exactly where he wants it, espe- forced more turnovers than the Panthers, praised not only Denver’s front seven, but its cially on deep routes. This has hardly been a and only five clubs gave up fewer points (the star-studded secondary. “It was just tough record-setting season for Manning - or, until Broncos were one, naturally). Against for us to ever get in a rhythm,” said Brady, now, one worth remembering. Overall, the Arizona, Carolina produced seven take- DENVER: Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning waves to spectators follow- who fell to 11-6 in his storied rivalry with bad far outweighed the good, including one aways. ing the AFC Championship game between the Denver Broncos and the New England Manning, including 1-3 in conference cham- game with a passer rating of 0.0, 17 inter- CAROLINA’S STARTS: If the Panthers are Patriots. — AP pionships. — AP .