It’s like 2016 all over again. Minus the ring.
Broncos linebacker Von Miller, a Pro Bowler for the sixth time in his career, was named the game’s defensive MVP on Sunday after posting a strip sack and fumble recovery to seal the AFC’s come-from-behind victory in Orlando, Fla. He is the first Bronco in history to win the award.
The AFC trailed by 17 points at halftime but outscored the NFC 21-3 in the second half and won 24-23.
Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith found Titans tight end Delanie Walker, the game’s offensive MVP, for a 4-yard touchdown pass early in the third quarter. LeSean McCoy followed with a 2-yard touchdown run about six minutes later. Then Derek Carr connected with Walker for the winning 18-yard touchdown with about 1:30 remaining.
The NFC had the ball for a first down at its 36-yard line as the clock wound down, but Miller strip sacked quarterback Jared Goff, then recovered the ball to ensure the AFC victory. To go with his strip sack and recovery, Miller had three two tackles, a pass-breakup and a pair of quarterback hits.
Miller’s win-sealing play came two years after his pair of strip sacks of Panthers quarterback Cam Newton in Super Bowl 50 that landed Miller the MVP award then too. Though the stakes were higher and the prize larger two years ago, the feeling Sunday was similar. And the accolades, collectively, put him in rare company as one of only four players — with Peyton Manning, Jerry Rice and Phil Simms — to win MVP awards of both a Super Bowl and Pro Bowl.
Said Miller after his latest feat: “MVP, baby, do MVP things!”