Peyton Manning not traveling with Denver Broncos to Chicago

After the Denver Broncos did the unthinkable in benching Peyton Manning last Sunday, Brock Osweiler is now getting ready to make his first career start against the Chicago Bears. “So, I know the mind-set here is we just worry about one week at a time. I may eat my words, but I don’t think so. He handles everything well, but I think there is a point where you go back, you study him and you see what he’s done and what he feels most comfortable with. He hasn’t really been the same going back to the latter part of last season.

This game is going to come down to the play of Brock Osweiler.

“I like journeyman tight end Zach Miller to continue his hot streak, where he’s scored three touchdowns over the last two weeks including the game victor against the Chargers on Monday Night Football and then showing his wheels on an 87-yard catch and run against the St. Louis Rams last week”.

First things first. Ever since Mr. Peyton Manning stated that he was taking his talents to South Beach… er… the Rocky Mountains, I have essentially hated the man. No, not the kind of hate that gets you arrested for doing things like breaking out the headlamps on your old flame’s new boyfriend’s vehicle (not that I have any experience with that mind you). We’re very competitive. We want to get out there. This will be Osweiler’s first National Football League start. Unfortunately for Manning and as many expected this season, he’s been on the decline and dealing with a few nagging injuries that will sideline him this week against the upcoming Chicago Bears. His passing stats (56.3 completion percentage, 15 TDs, nine interceptions) are mediocre, but he’s the best running QB (366 yards, 6 TDs), and he makes big plays in important spots.

“There’s a book on every player in this league”.

This is not to say he should play conservatively the rest of his career, the year, or even the game. Not when that man is Brock Osweiler, Peyton Manning’s fourth-year understudy who has a stronger arm and better mobility than the ailing 39-year-old icon.

– The Bears defense is getting better each week that they play. According to head coach Gary Kubiak via the Denver Post, Hillman will get the start against the Bears, but might not get the bulk of the carries. Not with the Broncos coming off two losses and their two worst offensive showings this season. I get that it’s a hard decision to retire from something that you love and have invested so much time in to become good at it, and that is especially the case for Manning. Well, Sunday was as close to it as it comes… maybe even better… than him collapsing on the field. “And I don’t think you really look at it like that until that game’s over”.

What Osweiler does not have is Manning’s skill recognising defences.

If the Broncos can take Jeffery and the dump-off pass away on most passing downs, Cutler will have a long day against Denver’s defense.

Sunday will be his true indoctrination, and if he starts the ball rolling – the way Kaepernick did in 2012 – it could be the start of a fascinating second act for the Broncos, one that might not include Manning down the stretch. The Bears head coach simply called his days in Denver “a good run” adding that his life changed, he’s here now and this week the Bears have a chance to get back to.500. I know I hate to see my former teammate as a shell of himself, but it might be time to hang them up.