DENVER — One year after an errant field-goal attempt prematurely ended the Baltimore Ravens’ Super Bowl hopes, a clutch kick in double overtime Saturday night kept alive Baltimore's playoff run for at least one more week.
Rookie place kicker Justin Tucker hit a 47-yard field goal less than two minutes into the second overtime to give the Ravens a 38-35 win over the Denver Broncos and send them to the AFC championship game for a third time in five years.
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The Washington Post’s LaVar Arrington, Dan Steinberg, Jason Reid and Jonathan Forsythe peer into their collective crystal balls to offer their bold predictions for the Redskins in 2013.
Insight on the Redskins and all the latest news from Post reporters Mike Jones and Mark Maske.
They advance to next weekend’s AFC championship game, where they’ll face the winner of Sunday’s matchup between New England and Houston. The Ravens beat the Patriots at home in September and lost at Houston a month later. Their playoff run ended last season in New England when former place kicker Billy Cundiff missed a 32-yard attempt in the closing seconds that would’ve tied the score.
Tucker’s kick Saturday drew to a close a cold, wild shootout that featured a pair of historic returns by Denver’s Trindon Holliday and a memorable comeback by Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco.
With a Broncos’ victory nearly assured and only 41 seconds remaining, Flacco faced a seven-point deficit when he heaved up a third-down prayer. As the ball left his hand, the game appeared to be over. High above the playing field, Baltimore general manager Ozzie Newsome had already left his seat and was heading downstairs
But as Broncos fans began discussing the next week’s AFC championship game, Denver cornerback Tony Carter and safety Rahim Moore somehow allowed Baltimore’ Jacoby Jones to slip by. Jones, a sixth-year player used primarily on returns, sprinted down the sidelines and saw a gift float down from above. Denver’s celebration was momentarily put on hold, and Jones was in the end zone with a 70-yard touchdown that tied the game at 35-apiece and forced overtime.
Overtime was a back-and-forth affair, and Denver’s Peyton Manning threw an interception to cornerback Corey Graham with only :51 seconds remaining, giving the Ravens the possession on the Denver 45-yard line. An inside hand-off to Ray Rice moved Baltimore to the 34 and helped set up Tucker’s game-winning kick.
Temperatures hovered around 10 degrees much of the day, but the two teams gave fans plenty to feel warm about early. Both teams found the end zone, and the wild opening sequence featured touchdowns by offense, defense and special teams.
After the Ravens’ opening drive stalled quickly, Holliday fielded a Baltimore punt at the Broncos’ 10-yard line. He cut his way upfield and didn’t stop until he found the end zone 90 yards later, marking a postseason record.
The punt return enthused the announced crowd of 76,603 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, but the Ravens didn’t lie down. On the ensuing drive, Flacco lofted one his best throws of the season, hitting Torrey Smith mid-stride for a 59-yard touchdown to tie the game. Shortly thereafter, Baltimore’s Corey Graham nabbed a tipped Manning pass and returned it 39 yards to give the Ravens a 14-7 lead.
Undeterred, Manning showed how Denver was able to close the season with an 11-game winning streak. On the ensuing possession, Manning was 5-of-7 passing for 69 yards and hit Brandon Stokely with a 15-yard game-tying touchdown strike.
Scoreboard operators had some time to catch their breath – but not much. Midway through the second, Manning was 5 of 5 for 72 yards on an 86-yard drive, hitting Knowshon Moreno was a 14-yard touchdown pass to give the Broncos at 21-14 lead.
The Ravens, meanwhile, seemed to like the matchup Sunday between Smith and Denver cornerback Champ Bailey, and Flacco looked that way again as the clock wound down on the first half. Smith’s 32-yard touchdown catch tied the game.
But the Ravens had to kick to open the third quarter, which meant Holliday had another chance to impact the game. He opened the second half fielding the Baltimore kickoff four yards deep in the end zone. Holliday opted to run it out, weaving his way into open space. A former college sprinter, Holliday didn’t slow down for 104 yards, registering the longest postseason return ever and becoming the first player in postseason history to return both a punt and a kickoff for a touchdown in the same game.
Baltimore turned a Denver fumble into a 1-yard Rice touchdown that tied the game at 28-apiece.
Manning broke the tie midway through the fourth quarter, hitting receiver Demaryius Thomas on a short screen. Thomas slipped through safety Ed Reed’s hands and sprinted past Lewis for the go-ahead 17-yard score.
The score looked to be the game-winner -- at least until Flacco's arm and Tucker's foot showed otherwise.
Rookie place kicker Justin Tucker hit a 47-yard field goal less than two minutes into the second overtime to give the Ravens a 38-35 win over the Denver Broncos and send them to the AFC championship game for a third time in five years.
Video
The Washington Post’s LaVar Arrington, Dan Steinberg, Jason Reid and Jonathan Forsythe peer into their collective crystal balls to offer their bold predictions for the Redskins in 2013.
Insight on the Redskins and all the latest news from Post reporters Mike Jones and Mark Maske.They advance to next weekend’s AFC championship game, where they’ll face the winner of Sunday’s matchup between New England and Houston. The Ravens beat the Patriots at home in September and lost at Houston a month later. Their playoff run ended last season in New England when former place kicker Billy Cundiff missed a 32-yard attempt in the closing seconds that would’ve tied the score.
Tucker’s kick Saturday drew to a close a cold, wild shootout that featured a pair of historic returns by Denver’s Trindon Holliday and a memorable comeback by Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco.
With a Broncos’ victory nearly assured and only 41 seconds remaining, Flacco faced a seven-point deficit when he heaved up a third-down prayer. As the ball left his hand, the game appeared to be over. High above the playing field, Baltimore general manager Ozzie Newsome had already left his seat and was heading downstairs
But as Broncos fans began discussing the next week’s AFC championship game, Denver cornerback Tony Carter and safety Rahim Moore somehow allowed Baltimore’ Jacoby Jones to slip by. Jones, a sixth-year player used primarily on returns, sprinted down the sidelines and saw a gift float down from above. Denver’s celebration was momentarily put on hold, and Jones was in the end zone with a 70-yard touchdown that tied the game at 35-apiece and forced overtime.
Overtime was a back-and-forth affair, and Denver’s Peyton Manning threw an interception to cornerback Corey Graham with only :51 seconds remaining, giving the Ravens the possession on the Denver 45-yard line. An inside hand-off to Ray Rice moved Baltimore to the 34 and helped set up Tucker’s game-winning kick.
Temperatures hovered around 10 degrees much of the day, but the two teams gave fans plenty to feel warm about early. Both teams found the end zone, and the wild opening sequence featured touchdowns by offense, defense and special teams.
After the Ravens’ opening drive stalled quickly, Holliday fielded a Baltimore punt at the Broncos’ 10-yard line. He cut his way upfield and didn’t stop until he found the end zone 90 yards later, marking a postseason record.
The punt return enthused the announced crowd of 76,603 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, but the Ravens didn’t lie down. On the ensuing drive, Flacco lofted one his best throws of the season, hitting Torrey Smith mid-stride for a 59-yard touchdown to tie the game. Shortly thereafter, Baltimore’s Corey Graham nabbed a tipped Manning pass and returned it 39 yards to give the Ravens a 14-7 lead.
Undeterred, Manning showed how Denver was able to close the season with an 11-game winning streak. On the ensuing possession, Manning was 5-of-7 passing for 69 yards and hit Brandon Stokely with a 15-yard game-tying touchdown strike.
Scoreboard operators had some time to catch their breath – but not much. Midway through the second, Manning was 5 of 5 for 72 yards on an 86-yard drive, hitting Knowshon Moreno was a 14-yard touchdown pass to give the Broncos at 21-14 lead.
The Ravens, meanwhile, seemed to like the matchup Sunday between Smith and Denver cornerback Champ Bailey, and Flacco looked that way again as the clock wound down on the first half. Smith’s 32-yard touchdown catch tied the game.
But the Ravens had to kick to open the third quarter, which meant Holliday had another chance to impact the game. He opened the second half fielding the Baltimore kickoff four yards deep in the end zone. Holliday opted to run it out, weaving his way into open space. A former college sprinter, Holliday didn’t slow down for 104 yards, registering the longest postseason return ever and becoming the first player in postseason history to return both a punt and a kickoff for a touchdown in the same game.
Baltimore turned a Denver fumble into a 1-yard Rice touchdown that tied the game at 28-apiece.
Manning broke the tie midway through the fourth quarter, hitting receiver Demaryius Thomas on a short screen. Thomas slipped through safety Ed Reed’s hands and sprinted past Lewis for the go-ahead 17-yard score.
The score looked to be the game-winner -- at least until Flacco's arm and Tucker's foot showed otherwise.