Why Starting Peyton Manning is a Mistake

Like I said on Twitter earlier, if you told me that going into the playoffs I could have the top defense in the league, Peyton Manning, and home field advantage throughout, I would take that deal 100 times out of 100.

Coach Gary Kubiak informed his quarterbacks of his QB decision and then his team Thursday morning when players returned from a three-day furlough. In 10 appearances, Manning threw for 2,249 yards, just nine touchdowns and 17 interceptions while completing 59.8 percent of his passes. You guys want to make it about him, but we have a big time playoff game coming up.

“I won’t say anything, ” Kubiak said on Monday.

Manning had been sidelined by a torn plantar fascia. The Cleveland Browns’ quarterback was cited for driving with expired license plates last weekend, when he failed to report to the team’s facility for a medical assessment and was seen in Las Vegas. Now, however, the Broncos’ divisional round opponent knows that they will be facing Peyton Manning, and there will be far less confusion during game preparation. Once he brought Manning off the bench to relieve Osweiler during Week 17 – whether the team won the game or not, which they did – he basically boxed himself into using Manning the rest of the way. His superior recognition and line calls helped the Broncos gain a season-best 210 yards rushing.

While Osweiler has never thrown a pass in a postseason game, Manning has started 24 playoff contests.

However, with his vast playoff experience and Kubiak concerned with the inconsistency and lack of experience by Osweiler, this is the best option in the head coach’s mind.

Manning, returning to action after missing six straight games with an injury in his left foot, came on in the third quarter and led the previously stagnant Denver offense to 20 points in the 27-20 win. “That’s what I felt”.

“I just think the last two weeks were different, much different”. Kubiak said he’s not concerned that benching him will be detrimental to their efforts to re-sign Osweiler nor is he anxious he’ll crater now that he’s been benched. He’s played extremely well in tough situations, he’s a very tough kid.

While Brock Osweiler said it’s hard to hear the news because he wants to be out on the field competing with his team, he supports Coach Kubiak’s decision.

Osweiler struggled in the season finale against the San Diego Chargers, however, after throwing two interceptions and fumbling.