Head coach Gary Kubiak has not yet said who will be the starting quarterback for that matchup.
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The return of former Tennessee Vol and current Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning could not have worked out better for him and his fans.
“I have nothing for you today”, Kubiak told reporters on Monday.
The Broncos (12-4) host a divisional round game January 17. In the recent game of the Denver Broncos against the San Diego Chargers, both Manning and Osweiler shared the spotlight. But coach Gary Kubiak has consistently framed the decision from the start as one about Manning’s health. But while young buck Brock Osweiler didn’t play badly, the team turned the ball over five times, giving life to the woeful Chargers – and raising the possibility that Denver would blow the opportunity for a number 1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. But the passing game was directly responsible for four of the Broncos’ five giveaways thanks to an unblocked corner blitz, a failure to contain Melvin Ingram, a pass that bounced squarely off slot receiver Jordan Norwood’s hands and a downfield fumble by Emmanuel Sanders.
After his first career victory in relief, Manning was hardly ready to take credit for the win.
As critical as I have been of Manning’s declining play and the media’s treatment of him, I’m not going to pretend that he didn’t look good on Sunday.
“I thought everybody was cheering for me”, deadpanned Polumbus.
INDIANAPOLIS – Recently signed Josh Freeman and Ryan Lindley each threw a touchdown pass in the first half and Jerrell Freeman scored on a 23-yard interception in the second for the Colts.
Manning, who missed seven weeks with a foot injury, received a thunderous ovation and promptly launched an 80-yard, eight-play drive capped by C.J. Anderson’s one-yard touchdown that gave Denver a 14-13 lead.
Kubiak knew the team had to make changes up front even though they had moved the ball consistently.
Although the Broncos do have to play several division champs due to their West title (New England, Cincinnati, Houston and Carolina), they also have numerous weakest teams in the league on tap. Manning was not among players receiving MRIs on Monday.
“Those things have happened because of physical situations”, Kubiak said.
Nor was he concerned about Osweiler’s confidence being churned. “He was trying to provide a spark so that we could get that No. 1 seed and the AFC West. So I completely understand his thinking and there are no hard feelings”. “That’s all I know”, Harris said, smiling. The win over the Chargers was his fourth game back after he returned from a four-game absence because of a back injury. Going 5-2 as the starter should earn him some consideration at least. However, Brock Osweiler is a free agent after the season, so it makes sense for the Denver Broncos to see what they have in him.
“I think they deserve to enjoy what they accomplished yesterday”, Kubiak said.
Kubiak said Denver’s opponent – Chiefs, Texans or Steelers – won’t factor into his QB decision, either. The 25-year-old posted a 127.1 passer rating in his first start, and he registered a 100.3 passer rating in a win against the Cincinnati Bengals, who might have the AFC’s best defense.
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This was Raiders Charles Woodson’s last game, and I’m sure he’s happy that the Raiders are finally heading in the right direction.
