After the Broncos saw backup quarterback Brock Osweiler start the final seven games of the 2015 regular season for the team, future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning will return to his starting role for the Broncos’ first playoff game, the Broncos announced Thursday. He also has a chance to reach a dubious milestone: a Broncos loss would mark the 10th time in Manning’s career that his team lost its first playoff game with him as the starting QB. Osweiler was performing somewhat well, but was just 14 of 22 passing for 232 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions against the Chargers last Sunday, which forced Denver to put Manning back in the mix and lead a comeback victory.
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The Broncos enter the playoffs as the top seed in the AFC and will play the lowest remaining seed of Houston, Kansas City, or Pittsburgh. He wasn’t required to be at Cleveland’s season finale Sunday because of the head injury, but owner Jimmy Haslam said Manziel failed to report to the team’s facility for a required medical assessment.
DENVER Peyton Manning or Brock Osweiler?
The road to the Super Bowl goes through Denver this year, thanks to the Broncos locking up the No. 1 seed on Sunday.
“If anybody knows that you need to be prepared regardless of the situation, that’s me”, Osweiler said. Osweiler finished up that game and then went 5-2 as a starter. “But I am excited to think about who were going to play (next) weekend and have the opportunity to help contribute in some way”, added Manning.
“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”, Manning said.
Manning said his left foot is fine now and he’s even refreshed after taking almost two months off. Anderson’s second fumble in as many weeks, which was the Broncos’ fifth giveaway of the game. Osweiler threw 10 TD passes and had six interceptions. If the Broncos lose the game, one way or another, fans will find a way to blame it on the quarterback he chose.
Although Brock Osweiler stepped up and led the Broncos in Manning absence during the regular season, the Broncos want to hit the postseason strong. “I stand behind this team”, Osweiler said.
The problem was, few of us wanted to believe him, or believe that Manning could ever be healthy enough to play again this season.
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Manziel was in the NFL’s concussion protocol last week after the team said he got hurt in a December 27 game.
