The Denver Broncos are in line for a top seed in the AFC playoffs and Peyton Manning is looking to get back to the Super Bowl after losing last season, as he knows 2015 could bring some changes even with him expected to return, as both Demaryius Thomas and Julius Thomas are free agents and there is a chance that one may not return.
Manning said that he is planning on playing in 2015 and that gives the Broncos another year to compete for the Super Bowl, but their window could be closing. Manning is playing at a high level despite being 38-years-old and he is looking to cap off his career with another championship. Manning has the Broncos heading towards the number two seed behind the Patriots in the AFC and now he will have to go through New England to get to the Super Bowl this season.
Last season Manning had 55 touchdowns and a win on Sunday would give him 12-win seasons 11 times in his career. The win against the Raiders to end the season will give the team a first round bye and home playoff game and while they may not have home field through the playoffs, they should be favored to get to the conference championship game.
Manning comes in with 4454 yards and 39 touchdowns this season and he is completing 66 percent of his passes for the Broncos. The team has their leading receiver heading into free agency with Demaryius Thomas and they also have to re-sign Julius Thomas in the offseason. The two Thomas's are explosive options for Manning and he has not yet missed a game while playing with the Broncos. Manning has thrown for at least 30 TDs in each of the past five seasons and he is nearing 40 once again.
Thomas had another fantastic season with 103 catches for 1504 yards and 11 touchdowns and he has been as consistent as anyone over the past few years. Manning looks to Thomas quite a bit and he now has put up three straight seasons with at least 90 catches, 10 touchdowns and 1400 yards. Thomas will be one of the most coveted free agents on the market and the Broncos will not let him go easily.
"I have no plans along those lines [of retiring],'' Manning added. "I'm enjoying playing, I'm looking forward to Sunday's game and hopefully the game to follow that.''
