were still able to clinch the AFC West title and host a playoff game. For the second time in four seasons, the AFC Western Division was a tie among teams with an 8–8 record, the title being decided by tie-breakers. Hosting their first playoff game since 2005, the Broncos battled the Pittsburgh Steelers in the wild card round. The game went into overtime and on the opening drive, Tebow threw Demaryius Thomas a 20-yard pass and Thomas took it 80 yards to the house winning 29–23. Denver's improbable season came to an end when they headed to New England and were again buried by the Patriots 45–10. 2012–2015: Arrival of Peyton Manning Most football analysts dismissed the Broncos' playoff run as a fluke resulting from bad luck and a weak AFC West division. Thus, on March 20, the Broncos signed Peyton Manning, who had just been released by the Indianapolis Colts. The following day, Tebow, despite being extremely popular with most of the Bronco fanbase, was traded to the New York Jets in exchange for a fourth-round draft selection. 2012 Despite widespread skepticism about Manning's age, injuries, and rustiness, he delivered an impressive performance in the season opener at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers (a rematch of the previous season's wild-card game), throwing for 253 yards and two touchdown passes in a 31–19 Broncos' victory. Manning also threw his 400th touchdown pass in that game, the third quarterback to do so after Dan Marino and Brett Favre (Manning did it faster than either, however). Knowshon Moreno ran for another touchdown and cornerback Tracy Porter intercepted Ben Roethlisberger in a mirror image of his celebrated interception returns during the postseason. Following that, however, the Broncos lost two straight, to the Atlanta Falcons (27–21), and the Houston Texans (31–25). In Week 4, the Denver Broncos faced their most hated rival, the Oakland Raiders; the Broncos dominated the game from the start and won 37–6. In Week 5, they traveled to New England, rekindling the Brady-Manning rivalry of seasons prior. Despite being blown out twice last year, Manning and the Broncos managed to keep it close, but ultimately lost 31–21. In Week 6, the Broncos faced another division rival, the San Diego Chargers; the Broncos were 2–3 at the time while the Chargers were 3–2. At half-time, the Broncos were being blown out 24–0. However, in the second half, Manning threw for three