CARSON, Calif. — Quarterback Case Keenum watched anxiously from the sideline Sunday with 3 seconds left, and the Broncos trailing by 2 points while pinning their hopes on one player’s foot.
lined up for the 34-yard attempt, and with the ghosts of a Week 9 miss against the Texans in the same scenario, he exorcised those demons. Broncos 23, Chargers 22.
Keenum’s reaction? “Thatap a high you can’t buy,” he said.
For a moment, though, it appeared Denver would never get the chance. With 43 ticks left, an offensive pass interference call on wide receiver moved the football from the LA 34-yard line to Denver’s 45. But Keenum connected on deep passes to wide receivers and to reach the red zone. McManus took care of the rest and Keenum spiked the ball to stop the clock.
“This team was resilient,” McManus said. “Itap obviously great with how bad you want to get back out there and make another kick.”
Coach Vance Joseph gave McManus a game ball in a jubilant visiting locker room.
“We’re proud of B-Mac,” Joseph said. “He’s our guy.”
McManus has made 14-of-17 field goals plus all 24 extra-point tries. He’s had two game-winners this season — adding to his late-game heroics versus the Raiders in Week 2. The Broncos never lost confidence in their battle-tested kicker.
“We all believe in (McManus),” cornerback said. “We won with him kicking amazing. He misses one every once in a while. It is what it is. But we have 100-percent trust with B-Mac. We’re always going to ride with him.”
