Another disappointing game for Manning
Peyton Manning against his old team. The Denver Broncos at home against their arch rival Indianapolis Colts. This had the makings of another great game. Except it went the other way.
Manning had one week off after suffering a downward spiral to the end the season. The question was, would Denver make him win this over the air or would they pound the ball on the ground with CJ Anderson like they had been the past few weeks.
They started the ball throwing. On their first drive, Demaryius Thomas caught the 1-yard touchdown and got the Broncos on the scoreboard first.
The Colts answered in the second quarter with Dan Herron, as he rushed for a 6-yard touchdown. He looked like he got hurt but stayed in the game. Andrew Luck then threw a touchdown to Dwyane Allen later in that quarter to put Indy up by a touchdown.
Peyton and company couldn’t get anything going, throwing a couple bombs to Emmanuel Sanders, but nothing was panning out in the passing game. The Colts corners were covering every player and Manning was stuck throwing the ball out of bounds with pressure coming.
At halftime, the score was 14-10 and the Broncos remained withing striking distance.
The second half was a little more quiet, with the only touchdown coming off a Luck beauty of a pass to Hakeem Nicks from 15 yards out.
With only a couple field goals scored after that, the Broncos couldn’t convert through the air or on the ground on any drives, ultimately losing 24-13.
Questions will now face Denver on whether they will bring the same team back for next year and if Peyton Manning comes back for another year or retires after the season. His arm strength wasn’t looking the same, he missed passes and some are questioning if he has anything left in the tank. Today, he only threw for 187 yards and one touchdown. Not Manning-esque at all.
The Colts now will travel to New England to face the Patriots for the AFC Championship on the shoulders of Andrew Luck.