Page 19 - ATD 16Jan2016
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SPORTS A19
Saturday 16 January 2016
Playoff Preview:
Panthers Look for Revenge; Broncos Look to Survive
NEW YORK (AP) — The 8-2 finish. Pittsburgh Steelers’ Antwon Blake (41) runs back an interception during the first half of an NFL wild-
Carolina Panthers no lon- Then there’s that last-min- card playoff football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016, in Cincinnati.
ger appear apprehensive ute loss to New England in
about playing the two-time the Super Bowl last season (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
defending NFC champion they’ve been determined
Seattle Seahawks. to move past.
In fact, they’re pretty con- The last divisional playoff of
fident. the weekend, the Denver
“We are the better team,” Broncos hosting the Pitts-
Panthers safety Roman burgh Steelers, would be a
Harper says matter-of-fact- lot more intriguing if all their
ly. stars were fit.
Harper and his teammates The Steelers’ injury re-
want to prove it again on port was getting way too
Sunday when the teams crowded. Wide receiver
meet in Charlotte in the Antonio Brown (concus-
NFL divisional playoffs. The sion) and running back
winner advances to play DeAngelo Williams (foot)
the Arizona-Green Bay win- were ruled out on Friday,
ner for the NFC Champion- while quarterback Ben Ro-
ship. ethlisberger, dealing with
The Panthers took a big a sprain to his right throw-
step forward when they ing shoulder, practiced.
went to Seattle and de- Whether he plays will have
feated the Seahawks 27-23 a major impact on their
in Week 6, a victory that chances.
served as a springboard to Roethlisberger was cart-
their 14-0 start. ed off injured last week in
But it was more than just Cincinnati but came back
that. That victory was late in the fourth quarter to
about clearing a major rally the Steelers over the
obstacle for the Panthers. Bengals 18-16.
Before that, they had lost The Broncos, however,
four times in three seasons know passer Peyton Man-
to the Seahawks, including ning isn’t at 100 percent
31-17 in the divisional play- efficiency either. Manning
offs last January in Seattle. has endured various inju-
“It tells you it can be done,” ries in the worst regular sea-
Panthers coach Ron Rivera son of his 18-year career
says of his team’s confi- to make his first start in two
dence-building win in Oc- months.
tober. Still, the Broncos are count-
Their defense forced an ing on his experience and
NFL-leading 39 turnovers the balanced attack they
and placed sixth overall in displayed when he re-
both yards and points al- turned to action in a vic-
lowed. They strutted to a torious relief appearance
15-1 record, ruffling some of Brock Osweiler in Week
feelings by their oppo- 17. But if the Broncos are to
nents along the way while advance, they may need
scoring a league-most to rely more on a defense
500 points. Cam Newton that allowed the fewest
made a strong case for the yards in the league and
league MVP award, total- had the most sacks (52).
ing 45 touchdowns and Denver has lost three of its
adding some flamboyant last four appearances in
end zone dances. the divisional round, includ-
The Panthers have not lost ing two of three at Mile
at home since November High Field under Manning.
2014, a string of 11 straight Denver, though, is in fine
games, but the Seahawks shape compared to the
are the least likely team Steelers, who beat them
to be intimidated on the 34-27 in Week 15 when the
road, with the swagger banged-up Broncos, with
built by consecutive Su- Osweiler at quarterback,
per Bowl appearances, a blew a big lead.
wealth of Pro Bowl play- The winner advances to
ers discovered later in the the AFC Championship
draft, and the momentum game against either New
this season they rode to an England or Kansas City.q
