Manning is obviously the biggest name to play in the second meeting of the two AFC mainstays. Manning sat out six games in order for his plantar fascia to heel enough to return to the field. That return came sooner than some people would have thought. He entered the team’s Week 17 game just two drives into the third quarter and led the team to a AFC West-clinching win.
“I was pleased to be available in the last game of the season against San Diego. I wasn’t really able to be available up until that point. I was pleased to make progress to that standpoint, and then that game took a funny turn and here we are going against Pittsburgh,” Manning said Wednesday. “We feel fortunate to be one of the eight teams still playing. It’s an exciting time and never take for granted this opportunity. We’re looking forward to Sunday being here.”
While Osweiler had a great game the first time around he has not felt the pressure of a playoff game and Gary Kubiak was ready to turn the reins back over to the experienced Manning, making the call on Jan. 7 saying, “Obviously, we’re looking forward to Peyton [Manning] leading our football team. I feel very good about that. It’s best for our football team.” The move makes sense from a sheer experience standpoint. Manning has played in 15 postseasons (NFL QB record) and will be more equipped to diagnose the Steelers disguised blitzes and coverages.
The Broncos will need to run the ball effectively in order to keep their recent balanced attack successful against the stout run defense and weak pass defense of the Steelers. Asked whether Manning could work from under center, Kubiak answered plainly Monday saying, “Yeah, that’s how he played against San Diego. He played both. Yeah, there are no hold backs, I guess, so to speak or anything we have to do. He’s ready to go. He’s working in everything we do and he’s fine.”
Having Manning taking the snaps this time should limit the Steelers ability to stack the box with extra defenders and hopefully he can read the defense better than Osweiler did in the second half of the first match up. Kubiak was asked Wednesday if the game plan may call for more passing considering the weakness of the Steelers secondary. He quickly rebuffed that notion.
“We’re going to do what we do. We’re at our best when we protect the ball and find a way to run the football. That’s what’s good for our football team. I don’t think this week is going to be any different.”
Monday, running back C.J. Anderson was adamant that experience in the playoffs matters and the atmosphere of playoff games demands extra focus.
“I think it’s just huge. If you look at yesterday – or this past weekend – you see everything. Home field doesn’t matter. It depends on how you play. Also, those teams had no experience at quarterback. That can hurt them, too, so I don’t know. It just changes everything. It’s going to be amped up a little more.”
