DENVER — A subdued Peyton Manning would not discuss his playing future after a disappointing performance in the Denver Broncos’ season-ending, 24-13 loss playoff loss Sunday to the Indianapolis Colts, his former team.

Manning missed the 2011 season with a neck injury that required multiple surgeries. He joined the Broncos three years ago as a free agent soon after he was released by the Colts, who had drafted his replacement, Andrew Luck.

Dealing with a lingering thigh injury late in 2014, Manning threw just three touchdown passes and six interceptions in the final month of the regular season. He followed that with a subpar showing against the Colts, completing 26 of 46 for 211 yards and a touchdown. He was sacked twice, losing a fumble on one of the takedowns, and struggled with his passing accuracy, most notably on mid-range and deep passes.

Time may be catching up with one of the greatest quarterbacks in league history. Manning turns 39 in March, and when asked about his plans for next season, he made no commitment.

“I can’t just give that simple answer,” Manning said. “I’m processing it, so I can’t say that. I could not say that.”

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Once again, Luck’s ascendance as the NFL’s best young quarterback will be put to the test against an established championship quarterback when the Indianapolis Colts play Tom Brady and the New England Patriots next Sunday in the AFC Championship Game.

The Colts advanced to the conference final by upsetting quarterback Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos 24-13 in Sunday’s divisional round.

“We’ve got a great opportunity to go to a tough stadium against a great Patriots team and a great franchise and try to get a win,” Luck said. “That’s almost as exciting, probably more exciting than winning tonight, the opportunity to have another week of practice and try to earn another win.”

The Colts will face long odds again, but it is a role they relish.

“We love being an underdog and going out there and proving people wrong,” Colts running back Daniel Herron said. “We’re definitely excited for the opportunity. We’re playing against a great team with a lot of great players. We have our hands full, so we have to get back to work.”

The teams met Nov. 16 in Indianapolis, and New England cruised to a 42-20 win. Patriots running back Jonas Gray gained 199 rushing yards and ran for a franchise-record four touchdowns. Since that game, he has 20 carries for 80 yards and one touchdown, and he was inactive for New England’s 35-31 divisional-playoff win over the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday.

Brady finished with 257 passing yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in the win, while Luck threw for 303 yards with two touchdown passes and one interception.

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The Broncos’ defense twice intercepted Luck, but Indianapolis’ defense forced Denver to settle for field goals after both turnovers. The 13-point total represented the second-lowest output by the Broncos this season. Denver lost 22-7 to the Rams on Nov. 16 at St. Louis.

“That is the toughest,” Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas said. “Putting up 13 points and 200 yards (passing) is one of the toughest things you can think about when a game like this is over. As a team and as an offense, we’re totally better than that. I have to tip my hat to the Colts. They came out and did a great job.”

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Rattling Manning was key to the Colts’ defensive success.

“Once we got into his head, that was the biggest thing,” Indianapolis defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois said. “We were going after him. It happened the whole game. It was shocking to only see 10 (first-half) points on the scoreboard. Peyton will put up 21, maybe 28 points in a half. We knew we couldn’t let him be the Hall of Fame quarterback today.”

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Colts wide receiver Hakeem Nicks, on Luck: “Hats off to him, man. The way he controls the game and manages the game, this early in his career — that’s great. And in the way he gets the offense going, whether it be taking off and getting a first down with his feet or throwing it … He believes in us and we believe in him.”

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Broncos coach John Fox, on the finality of the loss, “There’s only one camper at the end of this, so at some point, it’s a train wreck for everybody but one. In that room, I didn’t beat them up on a miserable, awful season. Did it end up like we wanted? No. Did we reach the goal we wanted? No. But there were a lot of great efforts and a lot of great performances by a lot of people in that locker room.”