Manning adds another level of intrigue to an already special trip for Texans head coach Gary Kubiak, who spent 20 years with the Broncos as a player and coach. Kubiak was the backup quarterback to John Elway, the Broncos’ current executive vice president of football operations, from 1983-91.

“Well, we’ll know what he’s [Manning] going to do,” Kubiak said on Monday in his office at Reliant Stadium. “It’s great to have him back in football, and I know it’s been exciting the last couple weeks where he was going to end up. He’s a great player, great person, great for the game. Congratulations to my boy Elway. But we’ll get our shot at him, too, so we’ll look forward to it.”

Texans chairman and CEO Bob McNair, who was honored with a plaque at the Houston Texans YMCA on Monday, said he could understand why Manning would pick the Broncos.

“I think they’ve got the basis for a good team,” McNair said. “They’ve got a good defense, they’ve got an adequate running game. I think Elway probably had a lot to do with that. They made the playoffs last year, and I think that it enhances their chances to make the playoffs going forward. So, we’ll look forward to playing ‘em in the playoffs.”

The Texans faced Manning 18 times with the Indianapolis Colts from 2002-10. Manning went 16-2 in those games with 5,122 passing yards, 42 touchdowns and only eight interceptions. But, since he sat out last season because of injuries, Manning has yet to face the Texans’ defense under Wade Phillips.

“Well, that’ll be interesting,” McNair said. “That’ll be interesting. We’ve played against Peyton a number of times, and he’s a terrific competitor and a great player, but we also think that we like our chances, too.”

Home: Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings

Away: Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Denver Broncos, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions

In addition to their home-and-home games with the AFC South, the Texans play all four teams from both the AFC East and NFC North. They play the Ravens from the AFC North and Broncos from the AFC West because those teams, like the Texans, won their respective divisions. The NFL scheduling formula matches up teams in the same conference according to division standings.

Click here for information about 2012 season tickets.

Ganguli reports that Garrard will have surgery on his right middle finger tomorrow after initially injuring his finger against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15.

Trent Edwards is listed as Garrard’s backup on the Jaguars’ website. Todd Bouman is the third quarterback. Edwards started the first two games of this season for the Buffalo Bills before he was released on Sept. 27. In two appearances since being claimed off waivers by the Jags, he has gone 14-of-24 for 140 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions.

Garrard threw for 342 yards and two touchdowns and ran seven times for 35 yards against the Texans in Week 10, leading the Jaguars to a last-second 31-24 victory.

The 2007 Heisman Trophy winner and much-ballyhooed first-round draft pick from Florida made his first-career start on Sunday at Oakland. The Broncos lost 39-23 to drop their record to 3-11.

Tebow had an efficient game in limited opportunities to throw, going 8-of-16 for 138 yards with a passer rating of 100.5. He threw for a 33-yard touchdown and ran for a 40-yard touchdown, was sacked twice and was not intercepted.