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Elway hoping book is closed on past
Elway's Steakhouse in Cherry Creek North was a jubilant and crowded joint on Saturday night.
The bar was packed, with familiar faces of former Broncos players, some recognizable media personalities and plain old rabid fans celebrating the Denver Broncos' 27-13 win over the two-time defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots.
Mingling in the middle of the madness was the owner, Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway. "No. 7" hung out with pals beyond the midnight hour, talking about everything from snowmobile rides to bad comedians. Everything, it seemed except the topic of football.
The talk for the past seven years had been that the Broncos and coach Mike Shanahan couldn't win a playoff game without Elway. When I asked him if the win over New England closes that chapter, Elway answered quickly and emphatically "yes."
Elway has moved on, his Colorado Crush set to begin defense of its Arena Football League championship later this month. By reaching the AFC Championship Game for an eighth time in franchise history, the Broncos finally may have proven that life without John isn't so bad after all.
NOTEWORTHY
› The second quarter interception by Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer was his third in 239 pass attempts at Invesco Field this season. Plummer threw an interception in Denver's regular-season home opener against the San Diego Chargers, and one against the Oakland Raiders in the regular-season finale.
› The Patriots were looking to become fourth team to reach a conference championship game after winning the previous two Super Bowls. The Pittsburgh Steelers ('74-'75) lost the 1976 AFC Championship game. The San Francisco 49ers ('88-'89) finished 14-2 in 1990, but lost in the NFC Championship game. The Dallas Cowboys ('92-'93) lost the 1994 NFC title game.
› Broncos special teams captain Keith Burns wasn't asking to receive credit, but he did take some for advice he gave punter Todd Sauerbrun before he forced New England's Ellis Hobbs to fumble on a kickoff. Burns said he noticed during Denver's first touchdown that Hobbs had injured his arm. Hobbs didn't have a good grip on the ball when Sauerbrun stripped him, leading to a turnover that led to a field goal and 10-3 Denver lead.
› Strange but true: In two games -- both losses -- against the Broncos this season, Patriots Pro Bowl quarterback Tom Brady attempted 82 passes without being sacked.