Broncos defeat Patriots to earn spot in Super Bowl 50

By Steve Keating Reuters

9 years ago

Jan 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) drops back to pass against the New England Patriots in the second half in the AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. (Reuters/Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)

Jan 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) leaps over Denver Broncos defensive back Shiloh Keo (33) in the second half in the AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. (Reuters/Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)

Jan 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) leaps over Denver Broncos defensive back Shiloh Keo (33) during the second half in the AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.(Reuters/Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports)

Jan 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) tries to get past Denver Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib (21) in the second half in the AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. (Reuters/Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)

Jan 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) is tackled by New England Patriots outside linebacker Jamie Collins (91) during the second half in the AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. (Reuters/Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)

Jan 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) at the line of scrimmage during the second half in the AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. (Reuters/Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)

Jan 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) drops back to pass against the New England Patriots in the second half in the AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. (Reuters/Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)

Jan 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) drops back to pass against the New England Patriots in the first quarter in the AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.(Reuters/Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)

Jan 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) catches a pass and is tackled by Denver Broncos free safety Josh Bush (20) and cornerback Chris Harris (25) in the fourth quarter in the AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. (Reuters/Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)

Jan 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos players Josh Bush (20) , Shiloh Keo (33) and Aqib Talib (21) break up a pass to New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) in the end zone during the fourth quarter in the AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. (Reuters/Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports)

Peyton Manning and the top-seeded Denver Broncos beat the New England Patriots 20-18 in the American Football Conference Championship game on Sunday to book their place in the Super Bowl.

In the National Football League’s showpiece, to be played in suburban San Francisco on Feb. 7, the Broncos will take on either the Carolina Panthers or the Arizona Cardinals, who were meeting later on Sunday in the NFC title game.