The Denver Broncos scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter to defeat the Miami Dolphins 39-36 in their NFL clash at Sports Authority Field.
The Dolphins started the game in perfect fashion as Ryan Tannehill drove his side downfield with one big completion to Jarvis Landry and a run from Lamar Miller. The drive culminated in Daniel Thomas finding the endzone for a three-yard score.
Denver responded with a solid drive which benefited from a penalty call on Jimmy Wilson for a headbutt on Emmanuel Sanders. The Broncos were forced to settle for a field goal from Brandon McManus as Jamar Taylor decked Demaryius Thomas for a loss on third down.
Joe Philbin's men continued to dominate on the offensive side of the ball as they plowed through the middle of the Broncos' defensive line. On the goal line, Tannehill faked the handoff and ran to his right to secure his side's second touchdown of the match.
Peyton Manning hit back immediately with a solid drive aided by some good running from CJ Anderson before the quarterback found Thomas in the endzone for the touchdown.
However, the Dolphins extended their lead when Tannehill and Miller continued to find their rhythm and moved into the redzone once again. This time the quarterback drilled a pass to Mike Wallace, who made the grab for the score.
Once again, Manning rallied his side and managed to hit Sanders on a crucial third down and 20 play to move the Broncos into a scoring position. With 12 seconds left in the half, Manning fired to Thomas in the endzone for the score.
Denver drove downfield early in the third quarter using their effective running game, but they were held in the redzone by the Dolphins' defense, leaving a short kick for McManus, but his effort clattered the post and went wide.
The Dolphins capitalised on their good fortune on the next drive as Tannehill lost the ball on a fumble, but the play was called back for a penalty on the Broncos. The quarterback then fired his side further into the lead with a strike to Landry.
The home side kept up their intensity and matched the visitors' score when Manning faked the handoff to Anderson before hitting Thomas in the endzone for his third touchdown of the game. John Fox instructed his side to go for two, and they pulled within three when Manning hit Sanders for the conversion.
Denver took the lead in the game when Anderson powered through the line for a 10-yard score after Manning engineered a drive to put his side in scoring position. An interception by TJ Ward then allowed the 38-year-old to hit Wes Welker for score to put his side into an 11-point lead.
The game wasn't over as the Dolphins came roaring back at the Broncos with Tannehill finding Landry for a one-yard touchdown, while Thomas leapt over his lineman to add the two-point conversion.
The visitors' hopes rested on the onside kick and Caleb Sturgis tried a rabona kick, which was gathered with ease by Anderson. The back then ran out the clock to secure the victory for his side.
Simon Sinclair
