Dec 31, 2007 11:00 am US/Mountain
Elam 'Can't Imagine' Not Being A Bronco
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By Pat Graham, AP Sports Writer
DENVER (AP) ―
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Jason Elam can't picture himself in another uniform.
But just in case it was the final time he stepped on a football field with Denver, the 15-year veteran -- who has played more games for the Broncos than anyone in franchise history -- requested a few extra tickets Sunday.
His family usually watches on TV, where they're not subjected to fans' anger whenever he misses, but they were all there to see him beat Minnesota 22-19 with a 30-yard field goal in overtime.
That included 5-year-old daughter Julianna, who had never seen him play.
"They got to see daddy kick a last-minute field goal," said Elam, who's hit 12 game-winning field goals in his career, including four this season.
Elam will be a free agent and doesn't know if he'll be back in Denver for a 16th season. He remains hopeful, though.
"I can't imagine playing with another team," he said. "I'm a Bronco. I would love to finish things out here in Denver. I cherish all the memories I've had here."
The Vikings sure won't cherish their first visit to the new Mile High, where their playoff aspirations disappeared. Minnesota (8-8) needed a win and a Washington loss over top-seeded Dallas to garner the final spot in the NFC playoffs.
Neither happened. The Redskins easily beat the Cowboys. The Vikings, meanwhile, rallied back from a 19-3 deficit with 5:18 remaining, only to lose in overtime.
Minnesota won the overtime coin flip, but on its second snap, Tarvaris Jackson was sacked by Jamie Winborn and Alvin McKinley, and the ball squirted out of his right hand.
Elvis Dumervil recovered at the Minnesota 12, and the Broncos' field-goal unit trotted onto the field as the snow began falling. Elam clomped down a perfect spot in the mud, and then drilled the kick.
Denver could've put the game away late in the fourth quarter. However, coach Mike Shanahan elected to go for it on fourth down instead of attempting a 45-yard field goal into the south end zone.
It was ultimately Elam's choice. He didn't feel comfortable kicking into the swirling breeze.
"In my estimation, it was the equal of a 55-yard field goal," Elam said. "It was a tough kick."
That's why Elam was elated when Denver was going with the wind in overtime.
"I looked at (Vikings kicker) Ryan Longwell and he was shaking his head at me because he didn't want to have to kick that way either," Elam said.
Game Notes
The Broncos defeated the Vikings for the first time in the last three meetings. Minnesota still leads the all-time series at 7-5 ... Denver ended with 362 yards of total offense while the Vikings had 332 ... Wade finished with five grabs for 92 yards.
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