Peyton Manning Named Broncos Starting QB For AFC Divisional Playoff
By Matt Dolloff
BOSTON (CBS) -- Peyton Manning's return to the field last Sunday was not temporary. The Denver Broncos have named Manning the starting quarterback for next Sunday's AFC Divisional Playoff game, the team announced Thursday.
The Broncos struggled to protect the ball with Brock Osweiler, now the backup to Manning, against the San Diego Chargers last Sunday before being removed from the game with the Broncos trailing 13-7. Manning was only 5-for-9 passing and mostly handed the ball off, but his return to the field clearly sparked the team. I, for one, thought him getting back on the field would have been a disaster. Considering the Broncos came back to win 27-20 with Manning under center, his critics were wrong about him - for half a game, anyway.
Manning has a chance to further prove his doubters wrong if he can continue to help the Broncos win in the playoffs. 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. Manning is 11-13 in his playoff career, a bad look for one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game.
Sure, it's not all Manning's fault, just like Tom Brady doesn't deserve all the credit for the Patriots' Super Bowl wins. But let's call a spade a spade: Manning's own play in January has been inconsistent at best, and at times downright ugly. But he has looked like his old self at times this season, most notably when coming back from at least a week off. The Broncos could be in trouble if coach Gary Kubiak tries to run his offense with Manning under center instead of letting him call his own plays at the line.
Manning has also historically struggled in cold weather games, but the 10-day forecast for Denver says it will be sunny and in the mid-40s, so that may not be a factor.
What are you expecting from Peyton's first start of the playoffs next weekend, in decent weather coming off a week of rest?
Matt Dolloff is a writer for CBSBostonSports.com. His opinions do not necessarily reflect that of CBS or 98.5 The Sports Hub. Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff and email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.