The Denver Broncos offense was moving the ball just fine against the Chargers, compiling nearly 300 yards in the first half, but thanks to five turnovers they failed to capitalize and put more than seven points on the board. That wasn’t working for head coach Gary Kubiak.
Apparently, while the majority of those turnovers couldn’t be blamed on Brock Osweiler, the negative momentum was enough of a reason to put The Sheriff, Peyton Manning, in the game for the first time since he was benched after throwing four interceptions against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 10.
The calls for Manning came even before he had started to warm up in the third quarter after the Broncos turned over the ball for the fifth time. And when he finally got in the game, it was absolute pandemonium both online and at Sports Authority Field. The insanity would continue unabated until Manning had kneeled on a victory that sealed the No. 1 seed in the AFC and delivered Denver’s fifth consecutive AFC West title.
As a result, the Broncos have two weeks to get healthy before their first playoff game and, maybe just as importantly, home-field advantage through the playoffs.
It was a wild day at Sports Authority Field. Here are some of the best reactions to “Manning Mania” as it played out on Twitter, both nationally and locally…
Some people were asking about Manning in the first half…
Phil Simms just asked "Would you put in Peyton Manning" to say "Let me tell you No." That's stirring a pot you created yourself.
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) January 3, 2016
So, Peyton time yet? Or does Brock have the longest leash of any backup ever
— Will Petersen (@PetersenWill) January 3, 2016
Osweiler and offense hear first boos from crowd after three-and-out drive.. #Broncos lead 7-6. Have almost as many TOs (4) as points.
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) January 3, 2016
Yeah, yeah, I know it's not all Brock's fault. But if this continues, a) do you bring in PM, and b) at what point? Let the debate begin…
— Les Shapiro (@LesShapiro) January 3, 2016
Manning had the world wide web servers working in overdrive when he finally went in…
Peyton talking to coaches. Broncos need a spark. Looks like they're going to Plan B. #9sports
— Rod Mackey (@RodMackeySports) January 3, 2016
The Sherif is warming up, #Broncos need a spark…
— Arran Andersen (@arranandersen) January 3, 2016
This thing just turned into a Disney movie…#Broncos
— Benny Bash🎧 (@TheBennyBash) January 3, 2016
https://twitter.com/AllbrightNFL/status/683791467261722624
How has Osweiler done enough to lose his job? The #Broncos are just going to set off a nuclear bomb if they put Manning in …
— Michael Jaycox (@MilkyMike) January 3, 2016
If there wasn't a quarterback controversy in Denver, there's officially one now.
— Robin Carlin (@robincarlin) January 3, 2016
Peyton Manning back in. The same fans that were booing him in Week 10 are giving him a standing ovation.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) January 3, 2016
I love mesome Peyton Manning, but I feel bad for Brock. Not his fault C.J. fumbled.
— Julie Browman (@JulieBrowman1) January 3, 2016
Cheering for #PeytonManning doesn't mean you can't/don't applaud what #BrockOsweiler has done for the #Broncos … But this is exciting!!
— Andrew Feinstein (@afeinst21) January 3, 2016
Sitting here, thinking: "How much fun is it to cover this team? Drama never ends. Storylines best in the NFL." BTW, PM, welcome back.
— Les Shapiro (@LesShapiro) January 3, 2016
Kubiak told Manning to prepare to play at halftime. Can't believe what I'm seeing. Never thought he'd play if 17 healthy.
— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) January 3, 2016
This is UnFarginBeliveable. . .
— Gil Whiteley, Now and Then (@Gilfest) January 3, 2016
And, with Denver trailing SD 13-7, Peyton Manning now entering the game…and postseason conversation.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 3, 2016
https://twitter.com/JoshPennock/status/683792351832092672
I can’t believe Peyton Manning is coming in. Osweiler had more bad luck than bad plays. What a moment.
— Gregg Rosenthal (@greggrosenthal) January 3, 2016
Cue the Hollywood music… here comes The Sheriff trying to ride to the rescue for Denver. What a crazy day ..
— trey wingo (@wingoz) January 3, 2016
I've said all along he'd return but after a five turnovers, one of which is Brocks fault I think it's a desperate coaching move from Kubiak.
— Josh Dover (@JoshuaDover) January 3, 2016
This is just plain insane
— Colin Daniels (@southstands303) January 3, 2016
I love me some Peyton but don't understand this move.
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) January 3, 2016
Cheers erupt in the newsroom as Peyton Manning takes the field.
— Chris Wesseling (@ChrisWesseling) January 3, 2016
https://twitter.com/BroncosRT/status/683792974153531392
"Epic comeback starts right now …." To the nationwide tune
— trey wingo (@wingoz) January 3, 2016
That was some of the loudest cheering I've ever heard on TV, when Peyton Manning came onto the field. Pretty infectious.
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) January 3, 2016
OK … So there can't be much of a precedent for a team switching QBs in the middle of a game with the No. 1 seed on the line, right?
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 3, 2016
Wow, #Broncos continue to be the most compelling story in the NFL. Guess what leads SportsCenter tonight…
— Arran Andersen (@arranandersen) January 3, 2016
Manning’s actual play generated some buzz too…
OK, he looked healthier there, huh? A pass outside the lines AND with some zip. So, maybe the foot WAS the problem?
— Les Shapiro (@LesShapiro) January 3, 2016
Where are the people that said Peyton couldn't hand off from under center? Looks fineto me. #Broncos
— Delano White Jr (@bigdeewhite) January 3, 2016
Manning working his butt off to get Brock a win! https://t.co/CuF51dTdD2
— Darren McKee (@DMacSportsCO) January 4, 2016
Shocked at how much Peyton is throwing outside the hash marks. That's the pass he's had trouble w/the last year. Looks strong again.
— Les Shapiro (@LesShapiro) January 4, 2016
Peyton Manning only 5-for-9 for 69 yards. But led the team to 20 2nd half points..
— Lionel Bienvenu (@lionelbienvenu) January 4, 2016
And perhaps the happiest fact about Manning’s return came late in the fourth quarter, at least for the stat geeks..
Update your stax: Blake Bortles now leads the NFL in INTs with 18, surpassing a certain other QB who returned like a phoenix today.
— Nick Groke (@nickgroke) January 4, 2016