Although Osweiler’s performance was at times as undependable as Manning’s, it was Peyton’s resilience in sealing the win over the San Diego Chargers, combined with Brock’s four interceptions on Sunday, that helped Broncos’ coach Gary Kubiak make the decision as to which quarterback would be under center after their first-week bye.
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Like I said on Twitter earlier, if you told me that going into the playoffs I could have the top defense in the league, Peyton Manning, and home field advantage throughout, I would take that deal 100 times out of 100.
The Denver Broncos have made their decision for their starting quarterback in the playoffs and it will be Peyton Manning.
More likely, Manning will be (at-least-temporarily) a healthier and somewhat improved version of the quarterback who had some decent moments this season but struggled his way to nine touchdown passes, 17 interceptions and a passer rating of 67.9 during the regular season. He came out of the regular season finale healthy and therefore will be ready to go in two weeks against one of the two winners from the AFC Wild Card games (Denver, as the number one seed, will face the lowest remaining seed in the divisional round). Peyton Manning will find anyway possible to avoid the running game and it will come back to bite them.
“I won’t say anything, ” Kubiak said on Monday.
“I guess the positive of that is that the rest of your body does get a chance to kind of heal and feel a little better”, Manning said. The last time two offensive linemen went in on the same ballot was also 2013 when Allen and tackle Jonathan Ogden were both elected.
Or maye Kubiak just knew Osweiler would accept a playoff benching better than Manning. But he’s been transparent about the Broncos’ quarterback plans since Manning was pulled from a game on November 15 game.
Manziel was in the NFL’s concussion protocol last week after the team said he got hurt in a December 27 game.
“At the end of the day, I just care about this football team winning games”, Osweiler said. Manning has thrown more INTs this season than he has since 2001 despite appearing in just 10 games. I also know that Brock will be ready to play. He’s played extremely well in tough situations, he’s a very tough kid.
“I feel OK”, Osweiler said. Faneca is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Larry Allen, the last guard to go in on the first ballot back in 2013.
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“It’s hard to hear you’re not going to be the one playing”, Osweiler said, via the Denver Post.
