Peyton Manning’s best play? Fall down, get up, complete pass

DENVER —Peyton Manning gave himself up when it looked like he would get sacked by a Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher, falling to the ground to avoid the hit.

But, he sat on the ground for a while, didn’t hear a whistle, so he got up and completed a long pass to Emmanuel Sanders.

Just another weird play in a crazy weekend of the NFL playoffs.

The Denver Broncos couldn’t get anything going on offense most of the day, with multiple dropped passes and general ineptitude. It speaks volumes that the Broncos’ best play on offense to that point was a play in which Manning went down to the ground to avoid a sack.

Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin argued with the officials after throwing the challenge flag, presumably saying that Manning gave himself up and the play should have been dead. The play was not reviewable, however. Sanders gained 34 yards on the play.

Manning often gives himself up right before he’s about to take a huge hit anyway, conceding the sack. This is the first time he turned it into a 34-yard gain.

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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @YahooSchwab