Gronkowski Adds Another TD Before HalfRob Gronkowski caught a 19-yard touchdown with five seconds left before halftime to give New England a 35-7 lead.
Gronkowski’s third touchdown of the game came on the fifth play of a 58-yard drive that started with 1:09 left in the second quarter.
The Patriots took their 35-7 lead into the halftime.
Brady Hits Branch For TDTom Brady tossed a 61-yard touchdown pass to Deion Branch, giving New England a 28-7 lead with 1:57 to go in the first half.
Brady’s deep touchdown pass was the second play of the drive and his fourth of the game.
Denver now takes over possession with two timeouts, looking to answer before halftime.
Gronkowski Extends New England LeadBroncos Answer After Carter INTThe Broncos turned a Tom Brady interception into points to get back in the game.
After rookie safety Quinton Carter picked off Brady and returned the interception to the New England 24-yard line, Willis McGahee stormed into the end zone four plays later for a 5-yard score six seconds into the second quarter.
McGahee now has rushed seven times for 51 yards and one touchdown.
Carter is just the ninth rookie in the Super Bowl era to record interceptions in consecutive playoff games.
To listen to Carter’s interception, click here. Audio courtesy of 850 KOA.
Prater Pads LeadMatt Prater has added his second field goal of the quarter, a 28-yarder to give the Broncos a 20-6 lead with 1:05 left in the first half.
The Broncos got the ball back after the Steelers managed just one first down their previous drive and took advantage almost immediately. On the second play of the drive, Tebow scrambled left and found tight end Daniel Fells open over the middle for a 40-yard gain down to the Steelers 25-yard line. The offense managed another first down but stalled as they neared the goal line, giving Prater the opportunity to kick his second field goal of the game.
Tebow now is 5-for-11 for 185 yards and one touchdown. Demaryius Thomas is the Broncos leading receiver, catching two passes for 109 yards.
Click here to watch Carter’s interception.
-Kenny Legan
Broncos Get Field Goal Following InterceptionMake that 17 points unanswered for the Broncos.
After Tebow’s rushing touchdown, the Steelers took over on their own 20-yard line. However, after a 9-yard sack by defensive end Robert Ayers on second-and-7, Roethlisberger threw an interception over the middle to safety Quinton Carter, who returned it nine yards to the Steelers 18 yard-line.
From there, the offense drove all the way to the 2-yard line with help from a roughing-the-passer penalty on James Harrison, but on third-and-goal, Tebow rolled left and his pass to Matthew Willis at the front pylon was broken up.
Kicker Matt Prater came up and split the uprights with a 20-yard field goal attempt to give Denver a 17-6 lead with 7:33 left in the second quarter.
-Kenny Legan
Tebow’s Touchdown Extends LeadAll season long, the second quarter has been the Broncos Achilles heal.
So far, that’s not the case today.
Tebow’s 8-yard rushing touchdown on a quarterback draw up the middle gave Denver its second touchdown of the quarter and a 14-6 lead with 10:36 left in the half.
Once again, the big play on the drive came on a pass from Tebow to Demaryius Thomas, this one for 58 yards. On second-and-7 from his own 30-yard line, Tebow dropped back, but stayed in the pocket this time and found an open Thomas down the middle, as the receiver made the catch and made a twisting, long run after the catch all the way down to the Steelers 12-yard line to put the Broncos in scoring position.
Click here to watch the 58-yard completion to Thomas.
Click here to watch Tebow’s 8-yard rushing touchdown.
-Kenny Legan
Broncos Take the LeadAfter the Broncos defense held Pittsburgh to two field goals, the offense came alive on its most recent drive as Denver took a 7-6 lead on a 30-yard touchdown pass from Tim Tebow to Eddie Royal with 13:24 left in the second quarter.
The pass came on second-and-9, when Tebow dropped back and threw a ball to the right corner in the back of the end zone. Royal made the catch as he was falling near the sideline with the defender draped over him, and was able to get down in-bounds for the score.
However, the biggest play of the drive came two plays earlier. On third-and-12 from his own 18-yard line, Tebow dropped back, scrambled to his left and launched a pass deep down the left sideline for Demaryius Thomas. The second-year receiver got behind the defense and caught it in stride for a 51-yard gain.
But the scoring drive wasn’t without cost. The Broncos lost receiver Eric Decker for the game with a left knee injury, after he was hit by James Harrison while trying to catch a pass.
The Steelers take over on their own 20-yard line after a touchback.
Click here to watch the 51-yard pass to Thomas.
Click here to watch the 30-yard touchdown pass to Royal.
-Kenny Legan
Spiller Scores to Extend Buffalo LeadBills running back C.J. Spiller ran four yards into the end zone and the Bills now lead the Broncos 17-7 with 19 seconds left in the second quarter.
A 16-yard screen pass to Spiller and a 30-yard deep pass to David Nelson set up the score in the final moments of the first half.
Denver took a knee on the ensuing possession to end the half.
McKelvin Gives Bills Lead With Punt Return TDBills punt returner Leodis McKelvin put Buffalo ahead with an 80-yard punt return touchdown late in the second quarter. The punt return is the first surrendered by the Broncos since Oct. 19, 2009 when Darren Sproles returned one 77 yards for a touchdown.
McKelvin has posted strong returns on both punts that he has attempted a return – 38 yards on the first and 80 yards on the touchdown. Kickoff returner Justin Rogers has returned kickoffs for 30 and 40 yards thus far.
Buffalo now leads 10-7 with 4:05 to play in the second quarter.