That’s the not-so subtle theme heading into Super Bowl 50 for Manning, who will turn 40 in the offseason and appears one step closer toward retirement. You will hear the phrase “ride off into the sunset” countless times before Denver meets Carolina on Sunday. Why?
That’s what former Broncos quarterback John Elway did after leading Denver to a win in Super Bowl XXXIII. Elway, however, is the exception to the rule. That’s the reality for Manning heading into what could be his final playoff game.
MORE: 10 best Peyton Manning performances | 10 worst defending Super Bowl champions
Here’s a look at how 10 legendary quarterbacks fared in their final postseason game. There are a lot of common themes.
Y.A. Tittle
Final score: Chicago 14, N.Y. Giants 10 (Dec. 29, 1963)
Passing line: 11 of 29, 147 yards, TD, 5 INTs
What happened? Tittle’s last playoff game ended with another loss, and he returned for one more season though the Giants finished 2-10-2.Tittle retired after the 1964 season.
Johnny Unitas
Final score: Miami 21, Baltimore 0 (Jan. 2, 1972)
Passing line: 20 of 36, 224 yards, 3 INTs
What happened? Unitas threw three interceptions against the Dolphins in the AFC championship game, including a pick six in the shutout loss. Unitas would play one more season in Baltimore and one season in San Diego before retiring at the age of 40.
Roger Staubach
Final score: L.A. Rams 21, Dallas 19 (Dec. 30, 1979)
Passing line: 12 of 28, 124 yards, TD, INT
What happened? The Rams scored a fourth-quarter TD to knock the Cowboys out of the playoffs. Staubach, who battled with injuries that season, decided to retire afterward.
Terry Bradshaw
Final score: San Diego 31, Pittsburgh 28 (Jan. 9, 1983)
Passing line: 28 of 39, 325 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
What happened? Bradshaw led the Steelers to the playoffs in the strike-shortened 1982 season, but the Chargers won a shootout. Bradshaw missed most of the next season after elbow surgery and did not make the playoffs. He retired after the 1983 season.
Joe Montana
Final score: Miami 27, Kansas City 17 (Dec. 31, 1994)
Passing line: 26 of 37, 314 yards, 2 TDs, INT
What happened? Montana’s old adversary Dan Marino helped the Dolphins erase a 14-10 halftime deficit. Montana would retire the following April.
Jim Kelly
Final score: Jacksonville 30, Buffalo 27 (Dec. 28, 1996)
Passing line: 21 of 32, 239 yards, TD, INT
What happened? The Bills were two years removed from the four consecutive Super Bowl runs, and Mark Brunell led the Jaguars to 10 fourth-quarter points against the heavily-favored Bills at Rich Stadium. Kelly, who had 14 TDs and 19 interceptions that season, opted for retirement.
John Elway
Final score: Denver 34, Atlanta 19 (Jan. 31, 1999)
Passing line: 18 of 29, 336 yards, TD, INT
What happened? Elway got the ultimate sendoff in leading the Broncos to a victory in Super Bowl XXXIII. Elway earned Super Bowl MVP honors then retired the following May. At 38 years old, he’s still the oldest quarterback to a win a Super Bowl.
Dan Marino
Final score: Jacksonville 62, Miami 7 (Dec. 15, 2000)
Passing line: 11 of 25, 95 yards, TD, 2 INTs
What happened? Marino’s final playoff outing in the AFC divisional round turned out to be a nightmare at Jacksonville. The Jaguars led 41-7 by halftime. Marino opted for retirement before the start of the 2000 season.
Kurt Warner
Final score: New Orleans 45, Arizona 14 (Jan. 16, 2010)
Passing line: 17 of 26, 205 yards, INT
What happened? Warner threw five TD passes the previous week in the wild card win against Green Bay, but the Saints ambushed Arizona with 35 first-half points. Warner retired shortly afterward in 2010.
Brett Favre
Final score: New Orleans 31, Minnesota 28 (Jan. 23, 2010)
Passing line: 28 of 46, 310 yards, TD, 2 INTs
What happened? Favre took Minnesota to the NFC championship game, and he played through an ankle injury and helped the Vikings force overtime with a late-touchdown drive. Favre, however, wouldn’t get a touch in overtime and didn’t make the playoffs the following season before finally retiring.
