The Denver Broncos will stick with Brock Osweiler as their starting back quarterback despite losing to the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, the team announced Tuesday. Osweiler was sacked five times -- all by Khalil Mack -- and the Broncos’ offense gained 310 total yards.
Brock Osweiler will start over Peyton Manning against the Steelers
Brock Osweiler likely gives the Broncos the chance to win, even if Peyton Manning is fully healthy.
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Peyton Manning is still on the mend, if the Broncos were considering changing quarterbacks at all. He will take part in his first practice Wednesday after being limited to half-hour throwing sessions last week as he works his way back from a torn plantar fascia in his left foot.
Though the Broncos offense struggled Sunday, it’d be unfair to put the blame entirely on Osweiler. They still outgained the Raiders by nearly 200 yards. Osweiler threw 51 times, completing 35 passes for 308 yards, no scores and no turnovers. He was much more effective than a running game that gained just 1.6 yards per carry. He was certainly better than the protection his offensive line afforded him.
Manning was injured in Week 10, ushering Osweiler into the starting lineup. In Osweiler’s four starts, the Broncos are 3-1, and Osweiler has posted a better passer rating (85.8) than Manning did before leaving with injury (67.6). Osweiler has five touchdowns to three interceptions. Manning was on pace a career-worst 16-game pace with nine touchdown passes and 17 interceptions through nine games.
Sunday’s game against the Steelers will be big. The Broncos are fighting for a first-round bye, locked in a tight battle near the top of the AFC standings with the 11-2 New England Patriots and 10-3 Cincinnati Bengals. The Steelers are the first team out of the AFC Wild Card, and also have an outside chance of winning the AFC North with the Bengals ailing after losing Andy Dalton to injury.
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