With the New England now less than a week away, questions are swirling in Denver as to whether or not Manning will be able to play against Brady and the unbeaten Patriots.
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There will be no 17th meeting between Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, at least not on Sunday. “We’ll play great defense”. The report said Manning “firmly believes” he’ll return to the field this season.
In the meantime, Kubiak will continue to try to put the inexperienced signal-caller in positions to succeed while Manning tries to get healthy.
The Broncos are a lock to make the playoffs in the AFC, but they could shut Manning down to rest him for the post season, or they could shut him down completely, based on what happens with his injury. But beyond this season, Manning appears willing to keep playing in 2016. Is that realistic? Even if the 18-year veteran can get back on the field, should he? Kubiak was asked specifically if it would be Manning’s job if he gets healthy.
The next day, Kubiak immediately announced Manning would not play against the Chicago Bears and would not practice.
SEATTLE LIKELY TO GO TO RAWLS AGAIN: Uncertainty surrounding the health of Marshawn Lynch will likely mean rookie running back Thomas Rawls will start for a second straight week for the Seahawks. That’s what’s best for our team. If they got into the end zone at that point, they would need only to get within Robbie Gould’s field-goal range to win it, a far easier assignment than covering the length of the field against the best defense in the league.
Kubiak said Manning is frustrated, but he’s frustrated because he’s injured.
Brock Osweiler filled in well against the Bears, completing 20 of 27 pass attempts for 250 yards and two touchdowns.
“Peyton Manning is dealing with two injuries”.
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Manning is expected to wear a walking cast for the next week on his left foot to help accelerate his recovery from a torn plantar fascia. One of the game’s true legends has not played to his normal standard all season though, at age 39. Obviously, he needs to be careful with the ball, but if worse comes to worse, I can forgive an interception; I won’t be as likely to forgive a fumble from a veteran – a dropped pass, too, for that matter. They are clearly making strides under Fox, who split with Denver in January after leading the Broncos to four first-place finishes in the division and a trip to the Super Bowl. I am told there is an organizational split now on whether or not Osweiler is the future at quarterback but no one has ruled out the fact that he gets to prove himself to make his case over the next couple weeks.
