Peyton Manning, bothered by wind, leads Broncos to second AFC Championship game in last three seasons

Peyton Manning, back from injury, has now led the Broncos out of the Divisional round of the playoffs for the second time in his Broncos tenure.

Statistically speaking Manning had a rather pedestrian day (21-36, 222 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT) but he and his receivers were plagued by drops throughout the game. Manning said postgame he didn’t have a message for his seemingly struggling teammates. “No message. One thing I’ve always believed in when you have missed throws and dropped passes, you have to just keep firing.”

Manning added there could be another factor contributing to the miscues that contributed to the Broncos going just 1-8 on third down conversions in the first half. “I dont know if you guys could tell but it was quite windy down there, you could feel it when you’re throwing and leading receivers. It was windier than anybody thought it was going to be and stayed windy til late in the fourth quarter. Bennie’s catch there in tight coverage late in the fourth quarter was probably the biggest offensive play of the game.”

The Broncos will now welcome in Tom Brady and the Patriots for the second time this season and for the second time in three years for the AFC Championship game.”We’re excited to be in the game,” Manning said at his postgame presser. “Going to enjoy this one tonight and get a jump start on improving Monday and focus on who we play (New England) on Wednesday.”

Manning-Brady XVII #NFLPlayoffs #Broncos #Patriots #AFCChampionship pic.twitter.com/mkiWkbAPMV

— Adam Kinney (@AdamKinneyRadio) January 18, 2016

This will mark the 17th and perhaps final time Brady and Manning will meet. Tom Brady will bring his 2-6 record at Mile High to Denver to meet Manning and his 9-4 post first round playoff record. Manning owns the AFC Championship record between the two quarterbacks 2-1.