This one’s for you Pat! The Denver Broncos are World Champions. Behind arguably the greatest defensive performance in NFL history, the Lombardi trophy is heading back home to Dove Valley.

Nobody in the national media gave the 39 year-old quarterback a chance at this game. Cam Newton and the mighty Panthers were going to walk all over the Broncos. They scored 31 points per game, Newton was too athletic, and their defense was too fast for the Broncos.

The only problem was somebody forgot to tell that to the Broncos. They came out and punched Carolina in the mouth. Every time the Panthers started to get something going on offense, somebody stepped up and made a play when Denver needed it most.

It was a defensive battle from beginning to end. In a game where we only one offensive touchdown was scored by each team, the Broncos found a way to win the game, just like they have all season.

Sure, the superstars stepped up big time, but it was a team win all around. Von Miller continued his postseason terror, stripping Newton twice in the game, and earning MVP honors. DaMarcus Ware, playing in his first Super Bowl ever, looked like the Ware of 2005. It seemed like every snap, one of the Denver front-seven was in Newton’s face and taking him to the turf.

Aside from Aqib Talib committing three first quarter penalties, the Denver secondary was lights out. The trio of Roby, Harris, Talib consistently covered the speedy Panthers wide receivers, allowing the pass rush to get to Newton. T.J. Ward and Darian Stewart made plays in the passing and running game.

Kavon Webster made a huge special teams tackle. Backup wide receiver Jordon Norwood’s 62-yard punt return was the longest in Super Bowl history. Even Bennie Fowler converted a two-point conversion, following C.J. Anderson’s fourth quarter touchdown. Great teams make plays in all aspects of the game, and that is what happened tonight.

Manning was not the All-Pro that torched defenses for nearly two decades, but he played smart football, and kept the Broncos in position to win the game. Combined with Brandon McMannus making all three field goal attempts, the Broncos offense was able to do just enough, and the defense took care of the rest.

The Broncos contained Newton and the explosive Panthers offense, holding them to just 10 points, and forcing three turnovers. In three postseason games, the Denver defense gave up a combined one passing touchdown to Ben Roethlisberger, Tom Brady, and Cam Newton; three of the league’s elite quarterbacks.

In that same timespan, Denver intercepted three passes, and recorded 13 sacks. Like the 2000 Ravens and the 1985 Bears, the 2015 Broncos will go down as one of the greatest defenses in NFL history.

We may not ever get to see Peyton Manning in a Broncos uniform again. Manning’s four years in Denver have been a blast, and football fans everywhere have been blessed to watch his greatness every week.

If he does decide to hang it up, he rides off into the sunset on top. This one’s for you Peyton. For you DaMarcus Ware. For you Mr. Bowlen, and most of all, for you, Broncos Country. Soak it in. Your Denver Broncos are once again Super Bowl Champions.