Is Brock Osweiler an upgrade over Peyton Manning for Broncos?

Other than that shining moment, this game was one to quickly forget. His play this year has been so poor that I hardly recognize him.

At 4-5 and now getting close to the “softer” part of their schedule, the buzz they’re generating is more than justified. That accuracy is no longer present.

Everything’s fun and games until the real action starts flying.

Coach Gary Kubiak excused Manning from practice and meetings this week so he could focus on his rehab on his left foot, right shoulder and ribs. For the last three years – all with Manning – the Broncos have finished with the No. 1 or No. 2 seed in the AFC. “So, I know the mind-set here is we just worry about one week at a time.

Renck: Osweiler belongs under center a large chunk of the time.

Renck: The idea of referring to Manning as a game manager was blasphemous.

Manning has had a very hard season, unable to utilize the many weapons surrounding him on the Denver Broncos offense.

Osweiler is certainly a unique quarterback prospect.

Manning will be a first ballot Hall of Famer.

The second year quarterback is heating up at the flawless time. “At the end of the day, it’s just a football game”.

“I don’t think they’ll adjust the win or loss column”, Fox replied in a dismissive tone. He played pretty well in his relief effort against the Chiefs.

“Oh, he’s ready. He looks good”, ILB Brandon Marshall said. He is quicker, and as a result, Kubiak may dial up the bootleg more in this game, particularly if the Broncos can get the running game working.

There should be plenty of interest surrounding Osweiler and his offense, but the Broncos will also have to worry about slowing down an offense that just put up 37 points and 397 yards against a solid St. Louis Rams defense. Manning, meanwhile, won’t be around to help Osweiler on Sunday, because he thinks he won’t be of any help. That motivation will go both ways, and I think the Broncos are the better team.

Denver already has wins over Detroit, the 6-3 Packers and the 7-2 Vikings and of course all three of those clubs are NFC North neighbors who’ve already beaten the Bears. Even though the Broncos run defense is stout, the Bears are going to need to keep Langford involved, especially since he’s coming off another superb all-around performance. “We know that we need to get a win and that’s what are sole and primary focus is on this week”.

The Bears will also see Manning’s imprints on the Broncos’ offense when Osweiler makes his first start since the 2011 MAACO Bowl for Arizona State against Boise State. Ware was injured and didn’t play in the Broncos’ sixth game at Cleveland, but he not only accompanied the team, he delivered the post-game motivational speech in the locker room.

Perhaps if college had been easier for Osweiler, he might not have been able to handle sitting behind Manning as well as he has. While Tony Romo will give the Cowboys a major boost, you have to take rust into consideration. “It hurts me. I definitely have thought about” this being it for Manning.

It was revealed after the Chiefs defeated the Broncos that Manning suffered a torn fascia and might have seen his last snap of this season. Soon Threet retired from football and Osweiler became ASU’s full-time starter. Denver must run the ball well with a very young QB about to take the helm. The best way to do those things is to establish the running game early and often. That’s what I wrote Sunday night, anyway, and I’m sticking to it.

It’s OK, though. First off, Peyton needs to work on getting healthy.