Broncos name Peyton Manning their Starting QB for the Divisional Round

The Denver Broncos announced Thursday that Peyton Manning will be the starting quarterback in the divisional round of the playoffs.

Manning returned to the field in the third quarter of this past Sunday's game to fill in for Brock Osweiler. The veteran completed five of nine passes for 69 yards. He was able to lead the team to four scoring drives - two of which were touchdowns - and secure the 27-20 win over the San Diego Charger. Prior to this appearance, Manning had missed six straight starts due to a plantar fascia tear near his left heel.

"I've just never been through anything like that before," Manning said reported by ESPN.com. "I've played every single game that I've been in football except for four years ago [when he missed the 2011 season while recovering from a neck injury]. I don't really know what can prepare you for something like this. It felt like I hadn't played in a little bit.''

This was the first time since 1994 when he was still in college that Manning was suited up as the backup quarterback

"I knew he still had it," wide receiver Demaryius Thomas said. "It was a matter of giving him an opportunity to get healthy."

Earlier this week, coach Gary Kubiak stated that he was "going to always go with what's best for the football team." After choosing Manning, Kubiak had reiterated to both players that the team "will need everybody" in the playoffs.

Osweiler agreed that the team should always come first.

"As long as this football team wins games, that's all I care about," he said after Sunday's season ender. "And that's the truth. ... As long as this football team is winning games, shoot, I don't care who's playing quarterback."

The No. 1 seeded Broncos will be playing the lowest remaining seed in the AFC divisional playoffs on Jan. 17.