Nfl

Conference Championships SUNDAY AFC: Baltimore at New England, 3 (CBS3) NFC: N.Y. Giants at San Francisco, 6:30 (Fox29) Super Bowl SUNDAY, FEB. 5 In Indianapolis Teams TBD, 6:30 (NBC10)

Broncos 31, Steelers 19 DENVER - Peyton Manning made a successful NFL return from a year's sabbatical to lead Denver past Pittsburgh. The four-time MVP coming off four neck surgeries completed 19 of 26 passes for 253 yards and two touchdowns. He got a big assist from another free agent, cornerback Tracy Porter, whose 43-yard interception return of Ben Roethlisberger's pass with two minutes left sealed the win. Manning, jettisoned by the Colts in March after missing all of last season with a nerve injury that weakened his throwing arm, hit Demaryius Thomas with a 71-yard touchdown toss for his first score as a Bronco.

SUNDAY New Orleans at Dallas 1 p.m. Line: Cowboys by 21/2    This game is critical for the Cowboys, who are in a three-way tie with the Giants and Redskins in the NFC East. Dallas controls its fate, but a loss would complicate its postseason possibilities. San Diego at N.Y. Jets 1 p.m. Line: Jets by 2    The underachieving Jets will start neither Mark Sanchez nor Tim Tebow, but rather Greg McElroy. There is similar frustration in San Diego, where coach Norv Turner's six-year run is likely to end. Tennessee at Green Bay 1 p.m. Line: Packers by 121/2    The Packers clinched the NFC North, but they are still competing for a bye. That will give Green Bay something to play for in the final two weeks.