Peyton Manning says former Texans tight end has been a big help

Owen Daniels caught two touchdown passes to help the Broncos beat the Patriots for the AFC title. Photo: David Zalubowski, STF / AP

Quarterback Peyton Manning threw two touchdown passes to tight end Owen Daniels in the Broncos' AFC Championship Game victory over New England.

Daniels played his first eight years with the Texans and one with Baltimore before following coach Gary Kubiak to Denver this season.

Daniels helped Manning learn Kubiak's system.

"Having Owen in the huddle was very helpful," Manning said. "A play call would come in, and I would recite the play, just basically repeating it trying to process it at the same time, and Owen would sort of remind you at the very end what route he…