SI's Best Shots Broncos-Patriots

Broncos 26, Patriots 16

The Broncos sacked Tom Brady twice and held him to one touchdown pass as they earned a trip to the Super Bowl.

Broncos 26, Patriots 16

Knowshon Moreno led Denver's ground attack, finishing with 59 of the 107 yards rushing.

Broncos 26, Patriots 16

The Broncos shut down LeGarrette Blount, who gained only five yards on six carries before being relegated to the sideline.

Broncos 26, Patriots 16

Peyton Manning completed 32 of 43 passes for 400 yards and two touchdowns in leading Denver to its first Super Bowl in 15 years.

Broncos 26, Patriots 16

Wes Welker helped make sure the Patriots fell a win shy of the Super Bowl for a second consecutive year.

Broncos 26, Patriots 16

Eric Decker goes high for one of his five receptions.

Broncos 26, Patriots 16

Aqib Talib, pictured here taking down Eric Decker, left the game in the first half and didn't return. Without its best defensive back, New England was picked apart by Peyton Manning.

Broncos 26, Patriots 16

Julian Edelman tries to go over the Denver defense for extra yards. He led the Patriots with team highs in receptions (10) and yards (89) and scored their only touchdown.

Broncos 26, Patriots 16

Tony Carter and Matthew Slater battle for the ball in a game in which neither quarterback threw an interception.

Broncos 26, Patriots 16

Julian Edelman gets knocked down from behind.

Broncos 26, Patriots 16

Demaryius Thomas had a game-high 134 yards and scored a touchdown.

Broncos 26, Patriots 16

Moreno amassed 81 yards total offense (22 receiving, 59 rushing).

Broncos 26, Patriots 16

Montee Ball is headed to the Super Bowl in his rookie season. He helped the Broncos cause by running for 43 yards and catching three passes for 13.

Broncos 26, Patriots 16

Peyton Manning got the handle on this errant snap in time to fire a completion.

Broncos 26, Patriots 16

Patriots coach Bill Belichick congratulates Peyton Manning on reaching his third Super Bowl.

Broncos 26, Patriots 16

When Peyton Manning took the field, it marked his first AFC Championship game with Denver, and the Broncos first since 2006.