Broncos Name Peyton Manning Starting Quarterback for Playoffs

Once he turned to Manning to provide a lift during the victory over the San Diego Chargers in the regular season finale that secured the AFC’s top seed for the Broncos, Kubiak pretty much had to go with Manning to begin the January 17 conference semifinal that will be played in Denver.

Kubiak met with both QBs on Thursday morning and then made the announcement to the team as they gathered to start prepping for the postseason. Manning has thrown nine touchdowns and 17 interceptions this season with a 67.9 quarterback rating. They could face the Houston Texans, the Kansas City Chiefs or the Pittsburgh Steelers. Once again, that’s what makes this football team so special. I don’t really know what can prepare you for something like this. But he’s been transparent about the Broncos’ quarterback plans since Manning was pulled from a game on November 15 game.

However, the Broncos offense struggled against the Chargers and with the game and home-field advantage on the line, Kubiak called on Manning. Kubiak could’ve reassured the confidence he’s instilled in Osweiler by sticking with his starter, but when No. 18 is sitting there in uniform staring you down from the sideline it’s understandable the decision that Denver’s head coach ended up making. “As long as this football team wins games, that’s all I care about”, he said. I could see it happening throughout the course of the last two weeks.

“Look, I’d be lying to say I’ve never thought – I know people say, ‘I’m not thinking about that, I’ve never thought about that.’ I am excited to be thinking about who we’re going to play this weekend, and have the opportunity to help and contribute in some way”. He felt like putting Tyler in was a good move for us as a football team.

Any one of those defenses will scheme to hitting and knocking Manning down as often as possible, which could lead Denver’s hopes of a second Super Bowl run in the last three years to a dead end. After finishing their season with a 12-4 record they are moving onto the playoffs, according to Broncos. Manning has thrown more INTs this season than he has since 2001 despite appearing in just 10 games. “This is the best place he’s been”, said Gary Kubiak, Denver Broncos head coach. Worst of all: They lost the number one seed, which means a potential AFC championship game in Denver.

Sure, it’s not all Manning’s fault, just like Tom Brady doesn’t deserve all the credit for the Patriots’ Super Bowl wins. Judging by how he had played in the first six games of his starting career, Osweiler looked to have earned his way into a more concrete position with the team.