Peyton Manning finds Owen Daniels for 21-yard TD (Video)

Peyton Manning orchestrated a conservative first drive of the 2016 AFC Championship, capping it off with a 21-yard touchdown pass to tight end Owen Daniels.

Peyton Manning didn’t throw a lot of touchdowns at home this season for the Denver Broncos (one), but was able to find tight end and Gary Kubiak disciple Owen Daniels for a 21-yard touchdown pass against the New England Patriots on the Broncos’ first drive of the 2016 AFC Championship.

Manning has to play a conservative style of quarterback in Kubiak’s offensive gameplan, leaning on what is a fantastic Broncos defense, to win in 2015. Kubiak prefers to open up the pass with the run and Manning was certainly able to do that on the Broncos’ first drive in the AFC Championship Game at home.

He would hand the football off to his two running backs C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman to put the Broncos’ offense in better position to attack third down situations. Manning was able to extend this opening drive for his Broncos with a couple of nice third-down conversions with just enough arm strength to move the chains.

Once Denver got near the Patriots’ red zone, it seemed like Manning was going to get the ball in the end zone through the air. Manning has the good fortune of having one of the league’s best kickers in Brandon McManus, so it took the pressure of the veteran quarterback deep in Patriots’ territory.

Manning unleashed a perfect throw to the wide-open Daniels in the back of the end zone to go up 6-0 on the Patriots. He had ample time in the pocket out of his customary shotgun formation, finding Daniels who found a seam in the coverage for an easy go-ahead touchdown early in the first quarter. McManus would make it 7-0 Broncos on the ensuing point after attempt.