Peyton Manning Named Starting Quarterback For Broncos’ Playoff Game

Peyton Manning has been named the starting quarterback for the Broncos first playoff game.

The Denver Post reports the announcement was made by Denver Head Coach Gary Kubiak Thursday morning.

According to the report, Kubiak talked to both quarterbacks and then made the announcement to the rest of the team.

The decision is not surprising, considering how Manning energized the team in the season finale against San Diego. In a game that was going very badly and the Broncos on the verge of surrendering the #1 seed in the AFC, for whatever reason, the entire team seemed to play better after Manning was inserted in the third quarter.

It wasn't that Brock Osweiler was playing so terribly, but five turnovers against a team that had absolutely nothing to play for paved the way for the quarterback switch. Kubiak went with his gut and it paid off. Broncos fans are hoping the decision to go with the experienced veteran will pay off and end in a Super Bowl appearance.

Clearly, Osweiler has proven that he can perform at a high level, and Denver fans should feel good about the Broncos' chances to advance even if, heaven forbid, Peyton gets knocked out by an injury or suffers a setback in the next week.

If the Denver defense plays up to its reputation, this is a team that could go all the way.