Manning to start for Broncos in playoffs

Media gas-bags like me were handed a golden goose Sunday when Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak benched quarterback Brock Osweiler in favor of backup (that feels weird to type) Peyton Manning in the midst of Denver’s ugly 27-20 win over the San Diego Chargers.

Peyton Manning will start for the Denver Broncos in the playoffs.

FILE – In this December 23, 2015, file photo, Denver Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak, back, casts ay eye toward quarterback Brock Osweiler during an NFL football practice in Englewood, Colo.

– Just as important as the change at quarterback from Brock Osweiler to Peyton Manning last week was the shift from Michael Schofield to Tyler Polumbus at right tackle.

Manning played at the University of Tennessee from 1994-1997. During both of the Broncos’ losses to Oakland (7-9) and Pittsburgh (10-6) during the final weeks of the season, Osweiler held a +80 quarterback rating, but his receivers’ lack of ability to catch crucial fourth down conversions and his running backs repeatedly fumbling the ball killed Osweiler’s potential.

Two months later, Manning is healthy and ready to go.

“I worry about us”, Kubiak said. If the Broncos lose the game, one way or another, fans will find a way to blame it on the quarterback he chose. “As long as this football team wins games, that’s all I care about”, he said. Manning was able to come in, be the hero and lead the Broncos to victory on Sunday. They won’t play in Wild Card weekend and their first game of the playoffs will be next weekend, when they’ll face the lowest remaining seeded team in the divisional round. Manning is 11-13 in the playoffs over his 18-year career. The coach admitted earlier this week that “there’s always going to be tough decisions to make” but that he was “going to always go with what’s best for the football team”.

It’s the latest issue with the 23-year-old, whose future in Cleveland is uncertain at best following a second straight problematic season. That team will be ready for the QB who almost led the league in interceptions – 17 – despite missing almost half the season with a left foot injury.

A litany of recent injuries led the team to give Osweiler a rest day Thursday along with a host of other key players, including safeties T.J. We have three very young players that are playing up front for us.

The fact of the matter is that many people are questioning whether Peyton Manning has surpassed his prime and has the ability to carry off another Super Bowl win.

But there was something we saw from Manning on Sunday we hadn’t seen since the Green Bay Packers game.