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SB 32: Elway, Davis send Broncos give Broncos 1st Super Bowl

Super Bowl 32

Jan. 25, 1998

At San Diego_68,912

Green Bay .7..7..3..7_24

Denver .7.10..7..7_31

Finally, a Broncos breakthrough.

Terrell Davis rushed for 157 yards and a record three touchdowns to lead the Broncos to their first NFL title and break the NFC's streak of 13 consecutive Super Bowl victories.

Defending champion Green Bay took the opening kickoff and scored on Brett Favre's 22-yard pass to Antonio Freeman. Denver responded with a 10-play, 58-yard drive capped by Davis' 1-yard run.

Two plays later, Tyrone Braxton intercepted Favre on the Green Bay 45 and John Elway scored on a 1-yard run. Steve Atwater forced Favre to fumble three plays later, which resulted in a 51-yard field goal by Jason Elam and 17-7 lead. Green Bay ended the first half with a 17-play, 95-yard drive to close the gap to three.

Ryan Longwell's 27-yard field goal tied the game early in the third period. After exchanging punts, Davis scored his second touchdown, capping a 13-play, 92-yard drive.

The Packers tied the game early in the fourth quarter on Favre's 13-yard pass to Freeman. Then the Broncos got great field position following Craig Hentrich's 39-yard punt to the Packers 49. Darius Holland's 15-yard facemask penalty after Davis' 2-yard run moved the ball to the Packers 32. Davis scored several plays later with 1:45 remaining - Green Bay coach Mike Holmgren had his defense intentionally allow Davis to score from the 1 to preserve time for the Packers' offense.

The strategy didn't work.

The Packers reached the Broncos 35 with 1:04 left. But when on fourth-and-6, John Mobley batted down Favre's pass with 32 seconds left, Denver had its long-awaited title.

___

Online:

AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL

FILE - In this Jan. 25, 1998, file photo, Denver Broncos safety Tyrone Braxton (34) reaches out to touch the Vince Lombardi trophy held high by his teammates after Denver's 31-24 victory over the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXII in San Diego. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski, File) The Associated Press
FILE - In this Jan. 25, 1998, file photo, Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre (4) reacts during the second quarter of Super Bowl XXXII against the Denver Broncos in San Diego. The Broncos won 31-24. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File) The Associated Press
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