ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - Strange as it sounds, John Fox finds himself needing to defend his five-time MVP quarterback.The skys not falling. Were not getting ready to get rid of our quarterback. Hes fine and, you know, were all going to get better, Denvers coach proclaimed a day after one of Peyton Mannings worst games as a Bronco.The Broncos (11-4) blew their shot at earning the top seed in the AFC playoffs for the third straight season when Manning threw four interceptions. Denvers defence and special teams also committed critical blunders in a 37-28 loss at Cincinnati on Monday night.Denver can still clinch the No. 2 seed and the first-round bye that comes with it by beating Oakland (3-12) at home next Sunday.The Broncos down-shifted their high-octane offence a month ago and began relying more on their ground game to ease Mannings burden. They had to dial up the pass Monday night when they found themselves trailing the Bengals 20-7 at halftime.It worked, and they took a 28-27 lead into the fourth quarter, only to see Manning throw two interceptions to Dre Kirkpatrick in the waning minutes, One of those was returned for a 30-yard touchdown when he stepped in front of Demaryius Thomas on a miscommunication.I shouldnt have thrown it to him, Manning said. I probably had Emmanuel (Sanders) open over the middle, and I might have even had Julius (Thomas). I think his guy may have fallen down. I definitely picked the wrong guy to throw to.Counting once in the playoffs, this was just the sixth time Manning has been picked off four times in a game and the first since 2010.Over the last month, Mannings numbers have nosedived. Although the Broncos won three of those games, its been enough of a slide to merit concern from TV analysts, fans and fantasy owners.In his first 43 regular-season games in a Broncos uniform, Manning averaged 27 completions per game for 318 yards. Over his last four, hes averaged 18 completions for 224 yards. His TD rate has fallen from 2.68 per game to 1.25, and his interception rate has more than doubled from .69 to 1.5.None of that matters to Fox.I know if you look at the meaningful statistics as it relates to quarterback, I think hes probably in the top five in the National Football League, which were pleased with, Fox said. And you know, all of us need to coach or play better here moving forward.Asked if he sees any physical changes in Manning — a drop in velocity perhaps — Fox answered with a tart No.A look at the rankings backs up Fox: Manning leads the league with 39 TD passes and his 102.9 passer rating and 4,454 yards passing both rank fourth in the league.Manning has fought through some serious obstacles, too.His O-line cant pass protect cleanly, continually committing infractions that wipe out big plays. Manning often lacks the time or the space to step into his throws and sometimes looks rushed even when hes not.Pro Bowl tight end Julius Thomas hasnt scored in six weeks after scoring a dozen TDs through nine games. Since spraining his left ankle on Nov. 16, hes had as many catches — three — as games hes missed.Wes Welker, who had 73 catches for 778 yards and 10 TDs last year, has dropped off drastically with 47 catches for 422 yards and two TDs this season.Then theres the question of age starting to creep into the picture.Manning, 38, is trying to supplant his boss, Broncos GM John Elway, as the oldest QB to win a Super Bowl. On Feb. 1, hell be 97 days older than Elway was when he won his last NFL game and second straight Super Bowl.Although it appears the road to the big game will go through New England, where the Broncos havent won since 2006, Manning & Co. can increase their title odds by securing a first-round bye.That would give them a much-needed break because they havent had one since September, and it would give top tackler Brandon Marshall (foot) another week to get better.Youre always working to increase your position so to speak, Fox said. But the reality is were going to get an opportunity to compete for the Lombardi Trophy. Were in the playoffs.Behind a five-time MVP he still feels very good about.NOTES: Fox said an MRI on safety T.J. Ward ruled out anything more serious than a strained neck. Hes day to day.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFLAdidas Nmd Sans Lacet Pas Cher . -- Chris Jones and Louisville have done a tremendous job protecting the basketball this season and thats led to easy victories. Adidas Human Race Shop . Tokarski, a somewhat controversial choice -- with his 10 games of NHL experience and all -- to replace an injured Carey Price in Game Two had a night to remember, turning back a Rangers team that was dominating play from the get-go, outshooting the Canadiens 14-4 in the first period and 37-25 overall. http://www.basketnmdpascher.fr/. Snedekers best result so far this year is a tie for eighth place at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March. He sits 113th in FedEx Cup standings and has dropped to 31st in world rankings — not the results expected from a player ranked fourth in the world only two years ago. Basket Adidas Nmd Homme Pas Cher . Irving played 10 minutes Sunday night before going to the locker room. He had two points and four assists, missing all five of his shots. The All-Star game MVP is the top scorer among Eastern Conference point guards with 21. Basket Adidas Nmd r2 Pas Cher .Corey Brewer had 19 points eight rebounds, five assists and five steals for the Timberwolves, who snapped a six-game losing streak and won for just the third time since Ricky Rubio went out with an injured ankle on Nov.WINNIPEG -- The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have re-signed Canadian offensive lineman Chris Kowalczuk and Canadian defensive lineman Ryan Lucas on Monday. Kowalczuk has spent four seasons with the Bombers. He spent most of 2013 on the reserve list but playedd in four games.dddddddddddd Lucas is entering his sixth CFL season and third with the Bombers. He played in three games in 2013 and had two tackles before he was injured July 26 against Calgary and missed the remainder of the season. ' ' '