If Sunday's win against the Chicago Bears wasn't enough, Brock Osweiler will have a huge opportunity to make a permanent claim to the Denver Broncos' starting quarterback job this week. He will start on Sunday night against the undefeated New England Patriots.
There will be no 17th meeting between Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, at least not on Sunday. Manning is battling injuries, which caused coach Gary Kubiak to go with Osweiler on Sunday against Chicago. And Osweiler will start again, according to multiple reports including Chris Mortensen of ESPN. Although the Manning-Brady rivalry has been great for the NFL for the years and would have been good theater again on Sunday night, it wasn't meant to be this time around.
Manning was in Charlotte on Monday to get another medical opinion on his foot, Kubiak said. Kubiak said not to read anything into it, that it was typical for players and the team will know more about his health status on Tuesday. Kubiak hasn't ruled out Manning for practicing some this week. Kubiak also avoided answering a question about the possibility of Manning being done for the season, saying he's just taking things day by day. But Manning won't start this week, for sure.
What about if Manning is healthy at some point before the season? Will he get his job back? Kubiak was careful with his words, always talking about Manning's health and how all the team is worried about currently is getting ready for New England. Kubiak was asked specifically if it would be Manning's job if he gets healthy.
"We go week to week," Kubiak said. "We have made a decision to proceed this week just like we did last week. That’s what’s best for our team. That’s what’s best for [Manning], as far as a health standpoint."
Kubiak said Manning is frustrated, but he's frustrated because he's injured. He said his conversation with Manning on Monday morning was a good one.
Osweiler had a good game in his first career start. He completed 20-of-27 passes for 250 yards, two touchdowns and probably most importantly, no interceptions. Manning had 17 interceptions in Denver's first nine games.
Manning has foot and rib injuries. The foot injury has been reported as a torn plantar fascia in his left foot. One of the game's true legends has not played to his normal standard all season though, at age 39. He has a 67.6 rating, the lowest among all NFL starting quarterbacks at the time he was benched. There's no tangible reason, based on this season's results, to go back to Manning, though there is a well-deserved amount of respect for him within the Broncos building of course.
There has been a lot of debate if the Broncos are better off with Osweiler, considering Manning's struggles this year, or if their best chance to win a Super Bowl still ultimately rests with Manning's ability to lead them there.
If Osweiler can knock off the defending champion Patriots, the Broncos might not have any other choice but to keep starting him until he gives them a reason to make the change back to Manning, if Manning gets healthy enough to make it a question.
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