Broncos to start Osweiler, Manning unlikely to play again

Manning was not expected to practice Wednesday or be part of the active roster for Monday night’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals so he can focus on recovering from a torn plantar fascia. “But so long as Osweiler remains healthy and continues to play reasonably well, it’s time to consider that Manning may have played his last down with the Broncos”. But on the first day of training camp, with a new coach and Manning’s age dominating headlines, the Broncos have grabbed this scenario and run with it: Beat a pair of underdogs to earn the No. 2 seed. He was ruled out against the Steelers.

This seems like a good game for the Broncos to throw the ball underneath and take advantage of some of the matchups they could create across the middle of the field. There will be a final decision made before they host the Cincinnati Bengals in an important AFC match up this Sunday. “I think he’s done an excellent job of that”, said Gary Kubiak, Denver Broncos head coach. Both teams sit at the top of their respective divisions and have seen their understudy signal callers win crucial late season games for them.

According to STATS, Inc. only eight teams have dropped more passes than the Broncos this season. But in the second half, he was just 7-for-26 passing and had an interception; Denver was shut out, and the Steelers came back.

“I’m glad he got something”.

Roethlisberger missed four games earlier this season after sustaining an MCL sprain.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) catches a touchdown pass behind Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris (25) during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015. “It’s about me being out there with my guys”, Bruton said.

“You have to make great plays to be successful….” Denver can’t expect Osweiler to win games with his arm at this point, so it will need a team effort to keep Atkins quiet.

-In some ways, the Bengals and Broncos are identical twins: they are blessed with attacking defenses that are among the league’s best pass-rushing units, and young quarterbacks that are being asked to avoid mistakes while they learn on the job after promotions because of injury. The Bengals will be without Andy Dalton again, so A.J. McCarron will start again.

Fantasy Impact: After struggling in Weeks 13 and 14, Osweiler bounced back nicely with 296 passing yards and 4 total TDs in Week 15.