Andrew Luck threw two touchdown passes and the Indianapolis Colts upset Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos 24-13 Sunday in the AFC playoffs.
The Colts (13-5) advanced to the AFC conference championship next weekend in New England. The Patriots (13-4) rallied past Baltimore 35-31 Saturday in the other AFC divisional playoff.
The Broncos (12-5) were left to deal with the hangover of yet another playoff debacle — and maybe questions about Manning's future and that of coach John Fox, as well.
Manning, who joined the Broncos in 2012 after his release from Indy, has gone one-and-done in the playoffs a record nine times in his otherwise stellar career. That includes twice in Denver, where he's 38-10 in the regular season but just 2-4 in the playoffs.
Overall, Manning is 11-13 in the postseason and this was one of his worst playoff performances ever.
Packers advance, face Seattle
The Packers and Cowboys put on quite a show in the first NFL playoff game of the day. Playing in front of their own fans the Packers edged the Cowboys 26-21.
Aaron Rodgers, playing with that injured calf, completed 24 of 35 passes for 317 yards and three touchdowns while Tony Romo was 15 of 19 for 191 yards and a pair of scores.
The game was marked by controversy as late in the fourth quarter the Cowboys had what they thought was the go-ahead score when Dez Bryant seemingly caught the ball in the end zone. The Packers contested the call and the reception was denied because Bryant failed to have possession of the ball.
The Packers now head to Seattle for the NFC title game. The 13-4 Seahawks beat Green Bay in the season opener 36-16.
