DENVER — No matter where his season or his career might end, Joe Flacco will always have The Fling.
And Peyton Manning will always have to live with that throw he made, too.
Flacco’s desperation 70-yard touchdown pass to Jacoby Jones with 31 seconds left in regulation saved the game for Baltimore in regulation and Manning’s throw across his body in overtime all but lost it for Denver.
On a frostbitten day, theRavens got a 47-yard field goal from Justin Tucker 1:42 into the second overtime Saturday to pull off a 38-35 upset over Manning and the Broncos, extending linebacker Ray Lewis’ career for at least another week.
“Our team is so confident and everything went against us,” Lewis said. “But we found a way to come here together and we’re leaving together. It’s just awesome.”
Lewis, who led the Ravens with 17 tackles over this nearly 77-minute game, kneeled down to the ground and put his helmet on the rock-solid turf when it was over.
After Lewis thaws out, the Ravens (12-6), 9 1/2-point underdogs for this one, will get ready for a game at either New England or Houston, who meet today for the other spot in the AFC Championship Game.
This game, the longest since the Cleveland Browns beat the New York Jets 23-20 in 1987, was an all-timer - up there with San Diego’s 41-38 double-overtime victory over Miami for drama. But Flacco’s throw might best be book ended next to one made by Roger Staubach, who famously coined the term “Hail Mary” after his game-winning toss to Drew Pearson allowed Dallas to beat Minnesota in the 1975 playoffs.
How to describe the Flacco Fling?
On third-and-3 from his 30 with 41 seconds and no timeouts left, Flacco bought time in the pocket and saw Jones sprinting down the right sideline into double coverage. Defensive back Tony Carter slowed up and let Jones streak by him. Instead of staying step for step with Jones, safety Rahim Moore tried to leap and knock down the ball. Flacco got it over Moore’s head and into Jones’ hands.
“At that point, you have to start taking shots,” Flacco said. “You have to get a little lucky. Had to take a shot, and everyone came through.”
Jones caught it and pranced into the end zone, blowing kisses to the crowd.
Moore was on the verge of tears after the game.
“The loss, it was my fault,” Moore said. “I got a little too happy. It was pathetic. My fault. Next time I’ll make that play.”
The teams punted three times to start overtime, before Denver took over at its 7. Manning was moving the Broncos along slowly and steadily. But on second-and-6 from the 38, he rolled to his right, stopped and threw across the field to Brandon Stokley. Graham stepped in front of the receiver for the interception. He also had a in the first quarter, which he returned 39 yards for a touchdown and a 14-7 lead.
The temperature at kickoff was 13 degrees, and Manning fell to 0-4 lifetime when the temperature is 40 or less. He finished 28 for 43 for 290 yards and accounted for all three Denver turnovers - the two interceptions and a lost fumble to set up the Baltimore touchdown that tied the game at 28-28 late in the third quarter.
The last throw was the worst one, though.
“Not a good decision,” Manning said. “Not a great throw, either.”
49ers 45, Packers 31
Second-year quarterback Kaepernick made Jim Harbaugh’s decision to stick with him over incumbent Alex Smith during the season look like a smart move.
Kaepernick set a playoff mark for the position by rushing for 183 yards, including a 56-yard touchdown run, and threw for 263 yards. The Niners (12-4-1) gained 581 yards.
The Packers (12-6) beat Minnesota in the wild-card round last weekend, but their defense was over matched at San Francisco.
Story on Page 4C.
NFL playoffs DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS
SATURDAY’S GAMES
Baltimore 38, Denver 35, 2OT San Francisco 45, Green Bay 31
TODAY’S GAMES All times Central
Seattle at Atlanta, noon (Fox) Houston at New England, 3:30 p.m. (CBS)
Sports, Pages 21 on 01/13/2013