This is the stuff of rejected movie scripts, multiple endings dripping with too much magic to be believed. But it all really happened last night in Santa Clara, California, USA, in Super Bowl 50 for the Denver Broncos during a thorough 24-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers.

The Broncos authored one of the greatest defensive performances in Super Bowl history against the NFL’s top-scoring offense, helping Peyton Manning potentially go out a winner. Manning is a great story, but make no mistake: He was a supporting actor in this triumph. It was only fitting that the game’s decisive moment was made by Super Broncos linebacker Von Miller, the Super Bowl MVP.

Late in the fourth quarter in a one score game, Miller fought off Panthers tackle Mike Remmer’s initial block, dipped his shoulder, kept his balance and reach his long left arm at Cam Newton. The ensuing fumble was Carolina's fourth of the day and fourth turnover overall. Like the high-powered Steelers and Patriots offense before them, the Panthers offense had no answers for this incredible Broncos group.

Manning said after the game that he will “take time to reflect” before announcing any potential retirement, but every sign points to this being Manning's final game. After coming up short so often in the playoffs with high-powered offenses, it will be hard for Manning to resist riding off into the sunset on the back of this Broncos defense.

“I’ll take some time to reflect. I got a couple priorities first” Manning told CBS’ Tracy Wolfson after the game. “I’m going to go kiss my wife and kids. I want hug my family. I'm going to drink a lot of Budweiser tonight, Tracy, I promise you that. I'm going to take care of those things first. Definitely got to say a little prayer to thank the man upstairs for this great opportunity. I'm just very grateful.”

Manning knows that defenses like this don't come around often. They hit Cam Newton 13 times and sacked him seven more. The Panthers' high-powered offense kept getting chances in the second half, but Denver's defense kept stuffing them. Denver's special teams and defense essentially out-scored the Panthers on their own, setting the Broncos up for 17 points.

Manning wasn't the only longtime veteran adding a championship Sunday night. DeMarcus Ware could have put the cherry on top of a Hall of Fame career with four QB hits, two sacks, and two tackles for loss. Cornerback Aqib Talib bounced back from a terrible first half to help the secondary make big plays after halftime. Defensive tackle Malik Jackson and linebacker Danny Trevathan had monster games on the way to a potential free agent payday. This was an incredibly complete defense, and their success on Sunday night was a validation for Broncos VP John Elway.

Just two years ago, the Broncos were on the wrong side of a 43-8 Super Bowl loss to the Seahawks. Elway was determined to make his team tougher, and he spent like crazy in free agency to complete one of the game's best defenses. After another painful playoff loss after last season, Elway made the difficult choice to fire popular coach John Fox. Elway brought back old friends Gary Kubiak and defensive coordinator Wade Phillips to coach his team. And Phillips capped off his remarkable career running defenses with his first Super Bowl title.

It was an emotional week for so many Broncos. Elway couldn't wait to grab the Vince Lombardi trophy on the podium to return the favor to longtime Browns owner Pat Bowlen, who is fighting Alzeimer's.

“This one's for Pat!’ Elway said, 18 years after Bowlen dedicated the team's first Super Bowl title to John.

•Adapted from nfl.com. Photo shows action during the 2016 Super Bowl.

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