Super Bowl vs. Carolina
Two weeks ago versus the Patriots, Peyton Manning threw a couple early touchdown tosses to TE Owen Daniels, but the offense didn’t do too much after that. In the first two playoff contests, Peyton averaged 199 yards through the air, but has not thrown a pick. His completion percentage was just 55 percent against the Steelers and Pats and he’ll be facing a Panthers D that yielded only 234 passing yards per game during the regular season. Carolina has forced nine turnovers in its two playoff games, so ball security will be a must for Manning.
AFC Championship vs. New England
It was another struggle for Peyton Manning and the Broncos offense last Sunday versus the Steelers, but they found a way to get the win. Peyton finished 22-of-37 for 222 yards with no TDs, but maybe more importantly, no INTs. It was the first time this season that he did not throw a pick in a game he started. Denver’s receivers didn’t help Manning, as there were numerous dropped passes. No. 18 missed the first meeting against the Patriots this season, but has a long history of facing Bill Belichick-coached teams. Expect the Broncos to try to grind it out with a ball-controlled offense in the AFC Championship game.
Week 19 vs Pittsburgh
Relieving Brock Osweiler two weeks ago versus the Chargers, Peyton Manning led the Broncos to the win with 20 second half points. While he was just five-for-nine for 69 yards, the offense had a spark with the veteran at the helm. Peyton had a miserable regular season with just nine TDs and 17 INTs and he hasn’t started since Week 10 due to a plantar fascia injury. Coming off of the bye week against the Packers on November 1, Manning threw for a season-high 340 yards. He missed the game at Pittsburgh in December and you’ve got to wonder how long Gary Kubiak would stick with the veteran if he struggles.
Week 10 vs. Kansas City
In the loss to the Colts last week, Peyton Manning had a rough first half, but picked things up in the second stanza. He finished 21-of-36 for 281 yards, just two away from Brett Favre’s NFL record for total passing yards. Peyton also threw two touchdowns and two interceptions - he has thrown at least one pick in every game this year. In Week 2 at Kansas City, he rallied the Broncos with 256 yards and a season-high three touchdown passes. The Chiefs are No. 22 versus the pass, making Manning a low-end QB1 play on Sunday.
Week 9 at Indianapolis
Silencing the critics last Sunday night in the win against the Packers, Peyton Manning looked like his old self – completing 21-of-29 passes for 340 yards. While he didn’t throw a TD for the third time this season, he played his best game with a season-high in yards. Peyton utilized his TEs for six receptions and confused the Green Bay secondary with numerous passes over the middle. The Colts defense hasn’t been able to slow down opposing passing attacks, so Manning makes for a low QB1 play against his former team.
Week 8 vs. Green Bay
Two weeks ago at Cleveland, Peyton Manning had another rough outing, but was bailed out by the defense. Peyton finished with 290 passing yards in the overtime victory, but threw three interceptions. Through the first six games, Manning has thrown for an average of 254 yards per game with seven TD tosses and 10 picks. He’ll need to be better this week against a Packers team that can put up a lot of points, facing any defense. Green Bay is No. 12 against the pass, making Manning an average play on Sunday.
Week 6 at Cleveland
It wasn’t pretty, again, but Peyton Manning and the offense did just enough to let the Denver defense win another game last week at Oakland. Manning finished 22-of-35 for 266 yards with no TDs and two INTs. Emmanuel Sanders was his go-to WR in the victory, as No. 10 caught nine of Peyton’s passes. In the past two games, the Broncos QB has thrown one touchdown and four picks. The ground attack is having its struggles as well, but this week is the time for Denver’s offense to work out the kinks against a Browns team allowing 400 yards per contest.
Week 5 at Oakland
Last Sunday in the home victory against the Vikings, Peyton Manning threw the ball a season-low 27 times. It was actually the first time in 2015 he’d attempted fewer than 40 passes. With the ground game helping a bit (146 yards with 72 of those on one carry), Peyton passed for 213 yards with a one-yard touchdown toss and two INTs. Through the first quarter of the season, he’s averaging 242 yards per game, with six TDs and five picks. Things are not coming as easily for Manning as they had in his first three years in Denver, but he’ll be facing a Raiders D that is second worst against the pass, allowing 310 yards per game through the air. Despite the inconsistency, Manning should remain in your starting lineup.
Week 4 vs. Minnesota
Playing out of the shotgun in the pistol formation for most of the win at Detroit last Sunday, Peyton Manning threw for 324 yards and two TDs. In his most comfortable performance of the season, he completed 31 of 42 passes (74 percent). While Peyton has thrown one pick in each of the three games this season, at least the one against the Lions wasn’t returned for a score like the previous two. This week, back at home, he will be facing a Vikings team that is 16th versus the pass. Manning and the offense are making some good strides, so definitely keep on starting No. 18.
Week 3 at Detroit
Last Thursday in Kansas City, Peyton Manning returned to the shotgun and got the Broncos offense going. With the running game still not in sync, Peyton went back to his old ways. And after a slow first quarter, he finished 26-of-45 for 256 yards with three TDs and an INT. Sixteen of his completions went to his top two WRs, Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. The Lions are allowing over 400 yards per game, so with some extra time to prepare, look for Manning to have a good performance on Sunday night against the Lions.
