DENVER — The Broncos won their fifth consecutive AFC West title on Sunday with a 27-20 comeback win over the San Diego Chargers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.
The Broncos committed five turnovers and prompted coach Gary Kubiak to pull starting quarterback Brock Osweiler and replace him with Peyton Manning, who had not played since getting yanked from a game against the Kansas Cit Chiefs on Nov. 15.The Broncos secured the No. 1 playoff position for the AFC playoffs will have a first-round bye. They won’t play their first playoff game until Jan. 16 or 17 against the Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs or Pittsburgh Steelers.
But with Manning leading four scoring drives after Osweiler had played well the past six weeks as Manning recovered from a foot injury — and the majority of the turnovers Sunday were not Osweiler’s fault — the debate will begin on who should start in the playoff opener.
Fans took to Twitter during and after the game about Manning’s return and who the Broncos need to start at quarterback if they are to make a deep playoff run.
https://twitter.com/jacksonvaldez/status/683818899255627776
@Htrowklis Hard to say. Brock is doing fine. But Peyton makes everyone else better by being in the game.
— Stephen (@sfdegraff) January 4, 2016
The legend came back in, in the 2nd half and put in that work. Brock Oisweiler who? Ya better respect the icon Peyton Manning.
— Nuti (@Nutii17) January 4, 2016
https://twitter.com/JMC_524/status/683818443322204162
So I gus all the #Broncos fans who gave up on Peyton should keep the receipts to their Brock Osweiler jerseys… HE'S BACK! #Peyton #DENvsSD
— Dan Allen (@dannallen) January 4, 2016
Difference is Brock misses blitz, strip sack. Peyton sees sack, audibles run away that went for TD. Stats irrelevant . #DENvsSD #broncos
— Broncos Country (@ApolloTheVictor) January 4, 2016
Don't get me wrong, Brock is the QB of the future, but we gotta see what Peyton has from here on out…
— #DrewUnLocked (@broncosfanatic7) January 4, 2016
Peyton didn't win that game. Brock brought the Broncos there. Sit down Manning. You get no glory in my eyes
— Brandy Andersen (@AndersenBrandy) January 4, 2016
If you're the Broncos, you start Peyton in the playoffs at least knowing you have SOMETHING in Brock if something happens to Peyton.
— Shravan Malaney (@ShravanMalaney) January 4, 2016
@dmac1043 obviously Peyton replacing Brock was huge but schofield was also replaced and it seemed to solidify the oline does he start again
— sauceyz (@chris_meyer88) January 4, 2016
For the record, Peyton is a class act, and Brock had already earned my trust, but today, he also earned my respect. I'm happy about THAT.
— Lizzie ⭐ (@lizziethat) January 4, 2016
https://twitter.com/DeportesKatia/status/683815666621743104
Peyton will get most of the credit for the win, but if it wasn't for @bosweiler17 the #Broncos wouldn't be celebrating. Thank you Brock!
— Kimi (@kimi_gal) January 4, 2016
I don't think it was on Brock, at all. Hopefully Peyton can get that storybook ending now though.
— Brenden Schacher (@BrendenSchacher) January 4, 2016
@bosweiler17 didn't fail today! But Peyton commands a different level of play- that's why he'll be a legend. Brock has time! #DENvsSD
— Christina (@Philosophairy) January 4, 2016
https://twitter.com/CampbellKaylynn/status/683815331173801984
Don't know if I feel worse for Brock Osweiler losing the playoff run he deserves or Peyton when he loses to Brady again
— seth (@DethSouglas) January 4, 2016
So Brock Osweiler was basically just Peyton Manning's placeholder until playoff time
— Craig Epstein (@CraigEpstein18) January 4, 2016
https://twitter.com/DanaMantz/status/683814213333159941
Brock is the future but Peyton is the present 🔥 #BroncosNation
— Madi Reum (@MadiReum) January 4, 2016
https://twitter.com/BluenorangeFTW/status/683820476032921600
@lanettstewart As much as fans hate it Denver is doing it right between Peyton and Brock. As one career wanes another is cemented.
— Jeff Pollock (@freddyandfrieda) January 4, 2016
Brock?
Peyton?
Brock?
Peyton?
Brock.
Peyton.
Brock!
Peyton!
BROCK!
PEYTON!!
(Denver for the next 2 weeks)#Denver #DenverBroncos
— Mac Comedy (@MacComedy303) January 4, 2016