Peyton Manning will start for Broncos in playoffs

Brought on in place of Osweiler with Denver trailing 13-7 on Sunday, Manning rallied his team to a victory that clinched the AFC West title and the number one seeding in the playoffs.

Only an hour or so after missing practice and being told he would be holding the clipboard a week from Sunday, Osweiler conceded he has “a few nicks that are a little more serious than others” after almost two months as Denver’s starter.

Osweiler has said he’ll prepare the same no matter who’s the starter.

But he did say, “I do what’s best for the team and I thought today was the best day to do that”. “Coach felt like that was the best way to generate a spark, and it did”.

While in seasons past Peyton has been able to overcome the physical limitations including recovery from neck surgery, Manning’s retirement could be imminent based on his difficulty in leading the Broncos this year.

Harris (shoulder) and Stewart (hamstring) suffered injuries in the San Diego game but received good news from their MRI exams Monday and are hoping to play in Denver’s postseason opener.

But it’s been a rough year for Manning, who has a career-low 67.9 QB rating in ten games and only nine touchdown passes as to 17 interceptions. The turnover total was so high that Manning continued to lead the league until Jacksonville’s Blake Bortles finally overtook him in Week 17. Warner is in his second year on the ballot and James his third. The same doesn’t fly for the NFL’s all-time passing leader.

Manning himself, admitted that he had struggled to get over the issue that kept him sidelined for so long.

ILB Brandon Marshall is expected to return for the playoffs after being limited to three snaps against the Chargers.

The six games Manning missed marked the first time he had missed any games in a season in which he had played. The Broncos scored 20 second-half points and beat the Chargers 27-20. Bottom line: I just care about this football team winning games. The arrangement lasted all of 2 1/2 quarters.

Despite the uncertainty under center, the Broncos managed to snag the AFC’s top seed, earning them home-field advantage and a first-round bye.

Manning delivered when called upon. Certainly, Broncos coach Kubiak could’ve justified placing either quarterback in the starting lineup. It was obvious Manning would get the nod again. Broncos coach Gary Kubiak even harped on how it’s going to take the entire roster down the postseason stretch.

Kubiak’s decision to roll with Manning sits just fine with me.