NEW YORK, N.Y. – Peyton Manning had a little fun with little brother Eli’s sad face at the Super Bowl during an appearance on NBC’s “Tonight Show.”

Peyton said he understood why Eli wasn’t elated like other relatives in the luxury suite at Levi’s Stadium who were jumping and celebrating after Denver’s late touchdown sealed the Broncos’ 24-10 win over the Carolina Panthers.

He said Eli had his game face on.

“Eli and I have always supported each other. I think Eli was analyzing the game and kind of into the game like I would be as if he were playing it. And so he was just as happy,” Peyton told host Jimmy Fallon during the show that aired Wednesday night.

Then, he and Fallon quickly pivoted to a bit where they spoke to a life-sized cutout of Eli, the New York Giants quarterback who won two Super Bowl rings himself.

“It’s funny, when I saw that clip, Jimmy, I’ve seen that look before. I’ve recognized it. At other big moments in my life he kind of had that similar expression,” Peyton said.

“I can remember 18 years ago, calling the night before the draft and said: ‘Eli, guess what? The Colts are going to draft me No. 1 in the NFL draft tomorrow.’”

The camera showed cardboard Eli’s expressionless face.

“Eli, I got us front-row tickets to see Adele!” Fallon chimed in as the audience roared.

“I remember almost five years ago: ‘Eli, Ashley and I are expecting twins. You’re going to be an uncle,’” Peyton said.

“And then like four years ago coming off this (series of neck fusion surgeries), I was like: ‘Eli, guess what, my neck has finally healed. I’m going to play football again.’”

Fallon finished the bit by saying: “All those big moments in your life, he’s always there for you. That’s what a brother is for.”

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