THE ONGOING SAGA OF BRONCOS QBs
The continuing saga of quarterbacks Manning and Osweiler
Peyton Manning’s injury and Brock Osweiler’s growth have sent the team on awild ride. »
I n the days leading up to the Broncos’ Nov. 15 game, offensive players became concerned. They never saw Peyton Manning. His foot injury, viewed initially as manageable, sent tremors through the team and rattled confidence when too many Manning passes against the Kansas City Chiefs were intercepted.
He completed only five passes. Four others were intercepted. And when Chiefs safety Ron Parker tracked a deep ball down the sideline in the third quarter, cutting in front of Broncos wide receiver Cody Latimer, it shoved Manning to the bench with a 0.0 quarterback rating. He hasn’t played since. Manning’s injury and recovery and Brock Osweiler’s growth and growing pains sent the Broncos on a remarkable ride over the past six weeks. They vaulted into the AFC’s top playoff slot, then were left scrambling to avoid becoming the first
10-2 team to miss the postseason.
Time to buckle the seat belt, push the tray table up and relive the success and turbulence:
Nov. 15, vs. Kansas City
Manning almost doesn’t play after dealing with a sore left foot and a rib injury, which surfaced the Saturday before the game. In a regrettable outing, Manning stumbles to theworst performance of his career— the lone highlight a 4yard completion to running back Ronnie Hillman that breaks Brett Favre’s NFL career record of 71,838 yards passing.
“He’s getting pretty old. He’s still a good quarterback. He tried hard,” Parker says.
Trailing 22-0, Osweiler replaces Manning and completes 14-of-24 passes for 146 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
Broncos coach Gary Kubiak, who was first asked about benching Manning on Oct. 12 because of the QB’s struggles, admits he made a mistake playing a compromised Manning.
Manning says afterward that he won’t play unless he can practice for a fullweek. The possibility vanishes when an MRI on Monday reveals torn plantar fascia in his left foot.
Nov. 22, at Chicago
The Broncos rule Manning out with his foot injury. It dates back to the Green Bay game, the Broncos say. But his father, Archie, would later reveal it goes back severalmonths, closer to the start of the season. Regardless, Manning doesn’t make the trip and Osweiler capitalizes on his 25th birthday. The Broncos have trouble landing in Chicago because of a snowstorm, circling the airport for hours. After Kubiak addresses the teamat a downtown hotel, Osweiler speaks at his coach’s request. It represents the only time nerves fluttered in Osweiler’s stomach all week.
“Thatwas pretty hectic. He gave me about five minutes to prepare,” Osweiler says.
Osweiler wins over the room, then becomes the first Broncos quarterback to win his debut since Kubiak in 1983. Osweiler’s parents, John and Kathy Osweiler, aren’t about tomiss it. They drive from Denver, arriving in Chicago in the middle of the night.
Osweiler remains the starting quarterback the day after as Kubiak denounces a Pro Football Talk report that Manning is focused on playing next season even if it isn’t with the Broncos. “I can just tell you for there to be any rumors that his mind-set is anywhere other than getting healthy and helping this football team is totally false,” the coach says.
Nov. 24-29, vs. New England
Manning seeks a second opinion and meets with Charlotte, N.C., foot specialist Dr. Robert Anderson on Tuesday. He places Manning in a walking cast, sidelining him indefinitely. Osweiler, coming off AFC offensive player of the week honors, rallies the Broncos froma 14-point deficit to an overtime victory over the unbeaten Patriots. He becomes only the second quarterback making his first or second start against the Patriots since 2001 to win, joining Mark Sanchez in 2009.
Dec. 2, Manning opens up
Manning talks to the media for the first time since his foot was placed in a walking cast, calling it “difficult not being out there.” He says his foot has affected him for “quite a while,” before he suffered the partial tear. He declines to reveal when the pain began: “Timelines are kind of irrelevant. It bothers me now.” The cast is removed Dec. 4 in exchange for a walking boot.
Dec. 6, at San Diego
Osweiler leads the team to a third straight victory and a 10-2 record. But the offense fails to score in the second half, starting a trend that threatens to derail the season.
Dec. 9, Manning begins workouts
His boot off, Manning begins three days of morning throwing practice and drills as he tries to improve enough to return to team practice. To this point, he has not been healthy enough to generate a quarterback controversy.
Dec. 13-14, vs. Oakland
Osweiler’s honeymoon period ends abruptly. Leading 12-0 with visions of a top AFC playoff seed, the Broncos fall on their faces. The offense manages three first downs and 86 yards in the second half. Kubiak waits to announce the starting QB, and none is listed Dec. 14 for a news conference, prompting speculation about Manning’s return. Osweiler receives the nod, and any thought of Manning playing ends when he suffers a setback with his foot after two consecutive days of team practice.
Dec. 20, at Pittsburgh
The morning begins with Broncos general manager John Elway denying an NFL report that Manning has said he won’t be a backup to Osweiler. Manning tells The Denver Post after the game that report “is insulting and bull (bleep).” Osweiler cracks the door for Manning’s return. After a four-touchdown first half— three passing, one rushing — Osweiler fails to produce points after halftime for the third straight week, going 2-for-25 on third downs during this stretch.
Dec. 22, Manning not ready
His foot not healthy, Manning reverts to individual work outs, clearing the way for Osweiler’s sixth consecutive start.
Dec. 26, Manning on HGH report
An al-Jazeera report alleges that an Indianapolis anti-aging clinic supplied Ashley Manning, Peyton’s wife, with HGH in 2011. Manning issues a statement, saying the implication he used HGH is “complete garbage and totally made up. It never happened.”
Dec. 28, vs. Cincinnati
Using a hurry-up offense that Manning perfected, Osweiler pushes Denver froma 14-3 halftime deficit to an overtime victory that clinches a playoff berth. After the game, Kubiak does not wait like previous weeks to announce Osweiler as starter. “Nothing has changed,” Kubiak says.
Dec. 30
Whatwas known becomes official. For the first time since his freshman year at Tennessee, Manning will serve as a backup. Manning gives credit to Osweiler, and says “I will do whatever I can to help.” Manning’s handling of the situation allows the team to move forward, as it has for seven weeks, without internal controversy. A victory Sunday against San Diego would clinch a fifth consecutive AFC West title and a playoff bye.