Peyton Manning Will Start For Broncos In Playoffs, Gary Kubiak Says

So much for a quarterback controversy in Denver.

Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak told his team Thursday that Peyton Manning will start under center in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs, per KUSA-TV Denver’s Mike Klis. Manning made his first appearance in five weeks Sunday when he replaced struggling Brock Osweiler against the San Diego Chargers.

Manning came on seven minutes into the third quarter in Week 17 with the Broncos in a 13-7 hole. Denver came back to beat San Diego 27-20, and Manning finished the night with 69 yards on 5-of-9 passing.

The 39-year-old quarterback had been battling foot and rib injuries for most of the season but was officially activated as the Broncos’ backup Sunday. Now, it’ll be Osweiler riding the bench while No. 1-seeded Denver tries to win a trip to the AFC Championship.

Thumbnail photo via Ron Chenoy/USA TODAY Sports Images