The Broncos would never say this openly, of course. Not only would clearing that cap space make it easier to give Osweiler a new contract as a starter, but the Broncos would also have money left over to either give Von Miller a new contract or use the franchise tag on him.
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And when Thomas was asked if he had any concerns about whether Osweiler could handle Sunday’s business at hand, he said, “None whatsoever”. If Osweiler prevails, he could take the starting position entirely over Manning. Manning’s interceptions and need to be in the shotgun or pistol, to the detriment of the run game, are not. And the Osweiler to Latimer connection was gold during a key part of the game. “To be able to play the entire 60 minutes and have the game finish with a zero in that turnover column, to meet one of your team’s goals for the week, it was huge for the offense”.
Kicker Justin Tucker missed twice from 51 yards but hit a game-winning field goal from 47 – but coach John Harbaugh revealed after the match: “Joe Flacco just had a season-ending knee injury”. And we won our eighth game. He was hoping to provide Manning with the same assets to lead the Broncos to another Lombardi Trophy.
The Broncos now know that Osweiler can manage a game and allow the defense to win it for them. Ryan Fitzpatrick, who played after having surgery on his non-throwing thumb on November 13, got NY (5-5) within 24-17 with a touchdown run with 4 1/2 minutes left, but was intercepted on the next two drives.
Osweiler’s presence should assuage a few of those concerns.
It’s a coin flip when trying to figure whether being right on a call or honest in answering questions is more out of character for the coach in his first season with the Bears, even if it feels like years of subterfuge, paranoia and dishonesty with occasional big red shoes. He clearly felt prepared and didn’t seem rattled. Once was on fourth-and-goal from the 4 early in the fourth quarter, and the other was on a 2-point conversion that would have tied the game in the waning seconds.
That doesn’t show much faith in his offense, which is somewhat understandable considering they hadn’t scored a touchdown all day at that point.
“We knew what we were getting coming into this game”, Bears linebacker Pernell McPhee said. Manning might even consider One More Last Hurrah in 2016, which hardly sounds like a good idea after all the errant ducks we have watched him throw in 2015. We’re consistent in what we’re doing there, and let’s not hurt ourselves as a team. “It was a relief because I don’t think they got down there by honest measure (because of penalties)”. Anderson. “He’s a leader”. He’s just playing behind a Hall of Famer. The Packers went out on Sunday and handled business against the Vikings, securing control of the NFC North (for now) and easing everyone’s fear about whether or not Green Bay was finished. “He went out there and did his job today”. More concerning, his arm strength didn’t (and still doesn’t) match his size. For one, he’s more mobile than Manning, which is a big requirement in Kubiak’s West Coast offense.
Peyton Manning’s latest injury to his foot had him sidelined for this week’s game with the Chicago Bears. For the third straight week, it surrendered a touchdown on the opposing team’s first possession as the Broncos carved up the Bears with a four-play, 74-yard march. They receive contributions from unlikely places and players. The days of the Broncos fielding a prolific, record-breaking unit passed long ago. Brock Osweiler, they have to see if he’s going to be the future of the team.
On a refrigerator cold afternoon, sun reflecting off the frozen grass, Osweiler became an National Football League quarterback. He took what was there; he found open tight ends on short and intermediate routes; he played with patience.
“We did a good job last week, but it don’t matter anymore because we didn’t do a good job today, and that’s all that matters”, linebacker Shea McClellin said. But the end game is a potentially awkward mist.
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Things aren’t all roses in Denver right now.
