Manning stars as Broncos advance to playoffs

For the next two weeks, while the Broncos wait to find out who will be their first playoff rival, the pressure to bring back Manning to the QB1 spot will be greater and greater on Gary Kubiak.

That would be atop the AFC playoff bracket. The Broncos will play the lowest remaining seed after the wild-card round – either the Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs or Houston Texans – in their divisional matchup January 16.

Combined with New England’s loss at Miami, the Broncos (12-4) secured the No. 1 seed even as they head into the playoffs with a quarterback quandary on their hands.

“These fans were great that were cheering me, cheering loud, but I’m pretty sure everybody was in the same seats when they were booing my butt off against Kansas City six weeks ago”, Manning said.

The Broncos were not going to win the Super Bowl with Brock Osweiler at quarterback.

Manning, a five-time NFL Most Valuable Player who had never appeared as a backup as a pro, admitted it was “different” but was pleased to make a solid contribution. His struggles date back to last year’s playoffs, and Denver could be headed for another early exit if he gets the nod. But he was victimized by five turnovers, including two interceptions that weren’t his fault, and a fumble by Emmanuel Sanders at the 10-yard line after a 46-yard reception.

After their fifth turnover – only one of which could be pinned on Osweiler – Kubiak noted a sense of desperation and turned to Manning to provide a spark.

It has been an emotional year for Peyton Manning fans, especially Vols fans who have based their entire support of the National Football League behind their beloved quarterback for the past 18 years. “I think he’s OK'”.

Before his reappearance against the San Diego Chargers, Manning had thrown 17 interceptions and nine touchdown passes.

GM John Elway’s philosophy in free agency is to go after younger players, but he was more than willing to make exceptions for Manning and DeMarcus Ware, both coming off injuries when they got their second chance in Denver. While Osweiler was getting beat up, Manning was only sacked once and hit once. The longer this drags out, the bigger the distraction for a team that doesn’t need any more drama.

Manning, 39, said he was treated at the Guyer Institute, with the knowledge and supervision of Colts medical staff, using the clinic’s hyperbaric chamber and receiving other nutritional therapy as he sought to recover. Broncos coach Gary Kubiak said that Marshall did not suffer a setback in his brief work Monday.

Nor was he concerned about Osweiler’s confidence being churned. “And he knows his team has confidence in him”, Kubiak said. “They also understand through the course of the season what has taken place with our team and how we’re going to handle it”, Kubiak said. He knows how much I believe in him and how much the football team believes in him.

“We didn’t do enough things well enough to win”, coach Bill Belichick said after the Patriots offense was held to 196 total yards.

Kubiak played a hunch Sunday so it follows that he’ll go with his gut again for the playoffs rather than go over stat sheets and all the analytics over the next 72 hours. I completely understand what Coach’s thinking was.

Kubiak said Denver’s opponent – Chiefs, Texans or Steelers – won’t factor into his QB decision, either.