Starting for the injured Peyton Manning, Osweiler drove the Broncos 83 yards to give the Broncos a lead in the fourth quarter, then called the flawless play in overtime to set up the win.
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“I guess when you have a cast on, you don’t have a choice whether to take it off. With a boot on, you have a choice”, Manning said. “I’m sure I can play better”. Pro Football Focus ranked Manning dead last out of all quarterbacks who started since week one.
The Broncos have been able to keep this mostly at bay thanks in part to a pretty vague timetable on Manning’s potential return from the foot injury. “It’s not just that he practiced with us (every Wednesday even when Manning was healthy)”.
The best-case scenario for the Broncos (though not the best scenario for Manning) has happened. That’s more than 29 other teams in the NFL.
There is a quarterback storm brewing in Denver, but the Broncos may have found one way to delay it.
In two full games and relief time, Osweiler has half the INTs (2) than he does TDs (4). Since taking over for Manning against the Chiefs, Osweiler is 57-of-93 for 666 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions. Those stats aren’t bad, but they aren’t great; they’re closer to the definition of pedestrian. The decision to start Brock Osweiler for the duration of the season would affect the course of the Broncos’ future. “They (were) 10-0 for a reason”, Broncos receiver Andre Caldwell said. They were forced to make mistakes and grow while everyone watched on the national stage. “The only thing that could change that is if Osweiler struggles significantly”.
Belichick and the Patriot’s didn’t hesitate to show him and the football world that they mean business and silly mistakes will not be tolerated. Remember this offseason when Tannehill was also considered the next big thing?
Twice in the Sunday night game in Denver, Gronkowski was flagged for offensive pass intereference.
Osweiler said he’s not thinking about how long he’s going to be the starting quarterback, he’s just working on preparing for the Chargers.
“I’ll be working hard to get back out on the field as soon as possible, and when I’m 100 percent, feeling good, cleared by all the doctors (and) the team, that’s when I’ll be back”.
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Miami offensive coordinator Bill Lazor was sacked, and Zac Taylor replaced him as the primary play-caller. Osweiler threw to him 13 times. That’s why it’s important Peyton Manning remain ready to possibly go in and be a sub for Osweiler in that situation. With Denver owning the NFL’s best defense, that’s just the kind of ball control Kubiak needs out of his offense.
