Brock Osweiler's performance in the Denver Broncos' 17-15 win over the Chicago Bears Sunday was good enough to earn him another start. Head coach Gary Kubiak announced Monday that Osweiler will start for the team's Week 12 matchup against the New England Patriots.
Brock Osweiler will start over Peyton Manning against Patriots
Head coach Gary Kubiak was noncommittal about whether Manning would be healthy enough to serve as the backup.
Osweiler replaced Manning during a 29-13 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs that saw Manning throw four interceptions before limping off the field with a partially torn plantar fascia and sore ribs. Osweiler then started against Chicago while Manning focused on rehabbing his foot injury.
On Monday, Manning was in Charlotte to get a second opinion on his foot. He will return to the team on Tuesday and the Broncos will evaluate his injury to determine whether he’s healthy enough to serve as Osweiler’s backup.
Kubiak said that the decision to start Osweiler for the second week in a row was “best for Peyton and the football team.” However, he remained noncommittal when asked if Osweiler would remain the starter for the rest of the season.
Osweiler was 20-of-27 passing for 250 yards against the Bears without turning the ball over. More importantly, he was able to do it while taking snaps under center, something the aging Manning struggled to do, especially after his neck surgery. With Manning’s pistol and shotgun formations replaced by extra tight ends, Denver was able to run a power offense much more to Kubiak’s liking.
Ronnie Hillman and C.J. Anderson combined for 161 yards on 33 carries, and the players loved the new scheme.
"Probably 70 percent of our plays were in at least two-tight-end sets and we had some three-tight-ends out there," Broncos tight end Owen Daniels said, via ESPN. "Kub loves doing that. It creates mismatches on the field. They've got to make a decision personnel-wise whether they want to have big personnel or nickel personnel out there to defend the pass."
Kubiak, though, saved his praise for Osweiler.
“Brock can do everything,” Kubiak said. “He’s a very composed young man and the more he plays, I think, the better he’s going to get.”
Obviously, the Patriots will be a much bigger challenge than the Bears, and television won't get its Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning matchup. But for now, it is Osweiler who will be running the Broncos' playoff charge.
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