Broncos Matt Prater kicks record 64 yard FG

DENVER Peyton Manning and Matt Prater were more about big numbers than the little one on Sunday.

As in Prater s NFL record 64 yard field goal to go along with Manning s 39 completions 397 yards passing and of course 51 points.

That the temperature was only 18 degrees at kickoff and only 14 when Prater kicked his way to one of the most iconic records in the game felt more annoying than anything. Same for the opponent the Tennessee Titans who fought gamely for a half before falling 51 28 on Sunday to the Broncos who clinched a playoff berth.

As for all those doubts about Manning s abilities in the cold I won t try to answer it because I didn t give it any validation in the first place said the quarterback who is now 4 7 in games where the temperature is 32 or below at kickoff.

The cold certainly didn t bother Prater who lashed his 64 yarder through the icy air on the last play of the first half. Yes it was at altitude same as two of the four 63 yarders from years past.

But I think the 10 degree weather takes out the altitude Prater said.

Manning s 39 completions set a team record. His 59 attempts matched a franchise high. His seven games with at least four touchdowns are the most in NFL history. He s now in the playoffs for the 13th time which breaks a record for a quarterback that he shared with Brett Favre. Manning led the Broncos (11 2) past the 50 point mark for the third time the year.

We were doing well at the beginning but they took off like a rocket Titans cornerback Alterraun Verner said.

The Titans (5 8) burned the Denver defense frequently most notably when Ryan Fitzpatrick (13 of 24 172 yards) picked on rookie cornerback Kayvon Webster on the first drive for a 57 yard completion to Justin Hunter that set up the game s first touchdown.

Denver had cut its deficit to 21 17 and a penalty forced Manning to start from his 15 with 52 seconds left in the first half. After completing passes to Demaryius Thomas and Jacob Tamme on came Prater.

With steam pouring from his mouth he lined up on the right hash mark at the Denver 46. The kick cleared the crossbar with a bit of room to spare and holder Britton Colquitt jumped piggyback onto the kicker to celebrate.

I think I just said Kick it as hard as you can Colquitt said. I didn t want to put that bug in Hey this is the record.

Manning led the Broncos on an 80 yard scoring drive to open the third quarter and Denver didn t trail again.

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