Peyton Chokes Again, Some Say Time to Go

 DENVER – The narratives about Peyton Manning failing in the playoffs yet again feel different this time.

 This wasn’t Manning, not as we’ve known him since he came into the NFL in 1998.

 Maybe Sunday’s 24-13 divisional-round loss to the Indianapolis Colts was it for Manning. After a game in which Manning struggled to throw the ball – that was a theme for most of the second half of the season – he couldn’t say if he would return for another season with the Denver Broncos.

 “Uh, yeah, I guess I just can’t give that simple answer,” Manning said. “I can’t say that. I could not say that.”

 This isn't how Manning wanted to go out, and it’s certainly not how the Broncos envisioned this postseason going.

 Manning said he wasn’t hurt. He said he suffered a thigh injury against San Diego on Dec. 14, but that’s the only injury he had and he felt good coming into Sunday’s game.

 Maybe he’s just a 38-year-old quarterback with multiple neck surgeries on his medical record. Time catches up with all athletes. As great as Manning has been, he won’t be an exception to that.

 The Broncos told us a while ago that Manning wasn’t the same quarterback he was a year ago. In the second half of the season the Broncos built their offense around running back C.J. Anderson. You don’t do that if Manning, who had arguably the greatest season for a quarterback in NFL history in 2013, was at his peak. They knew....More