TWD Super Bowl Sunday Thread #2 For 2/2/14: The Turning Points of the Denver Broncos Season

Screenshot from NFL.com 

Ever since Rahim Moore misjudged Joe Flacco's "Hail Flacco" deep ball to Jacoby Jones last playoff season, Peyton Manning, John Fox, and the Denver Broncos have been hell bent on reaching the final destination and not wasting home field advantage in the AFC.

The record setting 55 touchdown season for the older Manning further cemented his legendary legacy, with his four headed monster of the Thomas boys, Wes Welker, and Eric Decker being a matchup headache for any defensive coordinator.

But it is the defense of Jack Del Rio that has made this team into more than just its offense. Despite the devastating losses to arguably their two best defensive players in Von Miller and Chris Harris, the likes of Shaun Phillips and Terrance Knighton up front, Kentucky linebacking alums Danny Trevathan and Wesley Woodyard, and cornerback standouts Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Champ Bailey had great days against the New England Patriots a few weeks back to lead them to the ultimate destination.

Here are the three defining, key turning point moments for the Broncos this year:

1) The weeks after Peyton Manning's return to Indianapolis resulted in their first loss, the Broncos handled their initial moment in adversity this season by defeating the Redskins 45-21 with another huge day from the accurate, elite signal caller.

2) After the devastating loss to the Patriots in Week 12, the Broncos headed on the road to Kansas City, as the Chief emerged as a major rival to them in the AFC West this season and were desperate to pay them back for losing at Denver two weeks prior. Instead, Fox's men were strong enough to go into Arrowhead and record the season sweep over Andy Reid's side to control their division for good.

3) Amazingly enough for Denver, the main turning point of their season had nothing to do with them, but with a backup safety from the Miami Dolphins that just signed with that team a few days prior to their big home win over the Patriots. Michael Thomas' endzone interception of Tom Brady resulted in a Dolphins' win that saw Denver go back to the #1 seed and securing the crucial home field advantage in the AFC. A home field advantage that helped them get to East Rutherford today.

(More to come at TWD Super Bowl Sunday for sure in a bit).