Peyton Manning is one step away from a return to the Super Bowl. Think about that for a minute. After he threw four interceptions and completed just 5-of-20 passes against the Kansas City Chiefs just two months ago, did you think that scenario would be possible?

After Manning was pulled from the game in favor of Brock Osweiler, it looked like Manning could face a very unceremonious end to an otherwise stellar career. Those thoughts picked up even more steam when Osweiler began to perform much better than the veteran quarterback. Would Manning ever take another snap? That became a very real question.

Related NFL Network analyst says Peyton Manning played better than Tom Brady in Divisional Playoffs

But Manning did what he’s done his entire career—he never gave up. Manning provided help to the young Osweiler from the sidelines. But at the same time, he worked hard in nursing the injuries that threatened to derail what little was left of his career.

The truth is, Manning hasn’t been completely healthy for much longer than most fans likely realize.

He was made available for the season finale against the San Diego Chargers. Osweiler had played well, so Manning would likely only be used in a mop-up role to close the season. After all, they were playing the lowly Chargers.

But that’s not what happened. Osweiler struggled, and the Broncos, with home-field advantage throughout the playoffs on the line, turned to a familiar face. Manning came off the bench and gave the team something very few players who have ever lined up under center could give. The fans came alive, and the Broncos won the game.

Suddenly, the Broncos went from a team that looked like it would suffer another disappointing playoff defeat, to a team that could actually have a chance to win it all. Manning gives the team that.

So in what could be the last few weeks of Manning’s illustrious career, this is how things could play out.

First, he’ll have to get by the guy he has always had to get by in order to reach the top—Tom Brady. Though the game will be played between the Broncos and the Patriots, these two quarterbacks have formed perhaps the greatest rivalry between individual players in NFL history.

Of course, Manning has had to listen to all the naysayers who bring up the fact that Brady has won more Super Bowls and the fact that Brady has a better postseason record. Those same naysayers also seem to forget that football is a team game.

It will be more fitting for Tom Brady and the Patriots to beat Peyton Manning in his final game. #PITvsDEN — Adam Rank (@adamrank) January 18, 2016

If Denver advances to the Super Bowl, a place in which Manning has lost more than he has won, he will have a chance to go out on the highest possible note. One other Denver quarterback—John Elway—famously did the same thing.

After winning back-to-back Super Bowls in the 1997 and 1998 seasons, Elway walked away from the game, having won the only prize that had eluded him throughout his career. No quarterback has ever had the opportunity to walk away in the same fashion.

Manning has that opportunity. That is, if this is indeed his final season. If so, Manning could pull off one of the greatest stories of self-motivation and perseverance the world of sports has ever seen.

Related Broncos will have an open roster spot after placing Omar Bolden on injured reserve

Not to take anything away from Elway, but he didn’t have to overcome a long-time personal adversary such as Brady in his final two seasons. More importantly, he didn’t have to come back from four neck surgeries and a torn plantar fascia at the age of 39 years old.

For this fairy tale ending to come true, the Broncos still have to beat two excellent opponents. But how nice would it be for him to do it? Whether you’re a fan of the Broncos or not. Maybe you’ve followed Manning since his college days and just respect his game. Or, maybe you’re just a fan of humanity.

Manning is a fierce competitor. He’s done the game well. After everything he’s had to overcome, to see him hoist that Lombardi Trophy one more time—alongside his infectious smile—would be an image worth a thousand words.