One of the biggest plays in yesterday’s AFC Championship Game was made by one of the biggest guys in the NFL.
But it wasn’t his bulk, but his quickness that made Broncos defensive tackle Terrance Knighton’s play that much more impressive.
Knighton’s surprisingly fast rush — past a whiffing Patriots left guard Logan Mankins — turned into a 10-yard sack on a fourth-and-3, killing a Patriots scoring drive.
“Terrance made a big play and beat a Pro Bowl guy,” Broncos defensive end Robert Ayers said, via Tom Kensler of the Denver Post. “Terrance can do it all. He can stop the run and rush the passer. He commands a double team, and not too many guys can handle that. That’s what we love about him. He’s always working.”
Still, when a guy’s nickname is “Pot Roast,” you don’t expect that kind of suddenness.
“He’s got rhythm. He’s got some moves,” Broncos defensive end Shaun Phillips said. “He’s pretty light on his feet. I think that helps him in football.”
Knighton was a cheap free agent pickup for the Broncos, hardly one of the biggest names of their offseason.
But Sunday, no one was bigger.