Interception No. 1 – vs. Baltimore
Game Situation: Third Quarter | 14:13 on the clock | Broncos 9, Ravens 3
Down and Distance: Third and 10 | Denver’s 20-yard line
What Happened: With pressure coming up the middle, Manning had to get rid of the ball in a hurry. He threw the ball to the left flat, looking for Jordan Norwood on an out route. Norwood was lined up in the slot, running his pattern behind Demaryius Thomas, who was running a go route with Jimmy Smith in coverage. Unfortunately for Manning, Jimmy Smith let DT go, jumping the out route; with two defenders in the area, the ball popped into the air, Smith grabbed it and ran untouched for a touchdown.
Norwood is at the 29. His defender is near the hashmarks. But Smith, who was covering Thomas, is coming up from behind.
To Watch the Entire Play: Click Here
Cause: Mental Error – Manning didn’t see Smith leave Thomas. If he had, he could have lofted an easy pass to DT that would have gone for a big gain, if not an 80-yard touchdown.
