2014 Broncos Season, Divisional Playoffs

The season is over. Not for everyone, just for the Broncos. For the second time in three years, the Broncos lost their first playoff game at home despite being favored.

Divisional Playoffs: Indianapolis Colts 24, Broncos 13
Season Record: 12-5 (8-1 Home)
Key Play: On the first drive of the third quarter, trailing just 14-10, the Broncos faced a third down and five yards. Peyton Manning rolled out and fired a ball to Emmanuel Sanders, who wasn't able to get his second foot down before flying out of bounds. The pass was incomplete and the Broncos were forced to punt. The Colts went down and scored to make it 21-10, effectively putting the game away.

Recap: On Friday, during their weekend football previews, Tony and Mike on "Pardon The Interruption" suggested that if the Broncos suffered a big loss in the playoffs on Sunday, it would mark the end of the Peyton Manning Era. At the time that seemed like a bit of an overstatement. Manning is only one season removed from running a historically good offense. But after yesterday, that seems apt. This hasn't been the same Manning. He struggled much of the regular season's last two months, and at times he looked lost on Sunday. Now this isn't all on him. You'd be hard pressed to find more than a few players who looked good. C.J. Anderson ran hard and, on a crucial fourth and one play, looked like he might be a great player in the future and might have been the only guy who wanted to win yesterday. The defense struggled mightily, too, but it was Manning in particular that looked bad. He over threw many open receivers as the offense sputtered in the first and second halves. It was a disappointing end to what's been an uneven season. And now the questions begin. I have no doubt that if Manning wants to return, John Elway and the Broncos will welcome him back for another season. But to what end? I don't think a Manning-led team will ever be terrible. The Broncos will probably win 10-12 games and make the playoffs. But if the ultimate goal is to win a Championship, I don't think Manning is that player anymore. Time is the only undefeated opponent, and at 38-years-old and having endured four neck surgeries, it looks like Manning's time may have ended. At least his time of being a perennial championship contender.

Game Balls:
* C.J. Anderson. The young running back showed he should be the starter from day one in 2015. He had some gutty runs, including that big Fourth and One showing.
* Bradley Roby and Rahim Moore. These two had some good plays, each grabbing an Interception Sunday. Roby had a strong rookie year, and could be a fixture in the defensive backfield. I thought Moore also had a great season and has been an unsung hero. I hope he is retained.

Lingering Questions:
* Who returns for Denver. Adam Gase, the offensive coordinator, and Jack Del Rio, the defensive coordinator, both may have head coaching opportunities. There's been some rumbling that John Fox could be let go, too, though I think that would be a mistake. Then there's the question of Peyton Manning. My gut says he will be back, as will Fox and Gase. But I think Del Rio gets the job with the Raiders.
* Keeping our studs. The Broncos have a lot of key free agents. Among them are Demaryius and Julius Thomas, Terrence Knighton, and Moore. All of them need to be kept. I think, however, it's time to part company with Wes Welker, whose play slipped quite a bit this season.