Brock Osweiler provided an unforgettable snapshot. In his first start Sunday, he won AFC offensive player of the week honors. Without asking, the Broncos gave him his white game jersey, a lineup card and a poster to recognize his achievement.
With his family and wife in attendance, his victory over the Chicago Bears on his 25th birthday created an unforgettable memory.
Then came Monday.
Such is the cold reality of the NFL. It’s a matchup league. No time for praise or sentiment. Chicago gave Osweiler experience, but he returns to a blank canvas as he prepares for the NFL’s top-ranked scoring defense and his first matchup with Tom Brady.
Perhaps you’ve heard of the New England Patriots. They haven’t lost since Deflategate surfaced, winning Super Bowl XLIX and all 10 games this season.
Brady boasts MVP numbers, turning this season into a redemption tour after his four-game suspension was overturned for his alleged role in the amount of air in the footballs used in the AFC championship game.
With Peyton Manning sidelined with a left foot injury, the juxtaposition is striking at the game’s most high profile position. Brady has won four Super Bowls. Osweiler has thrown three career touchdowns passes.
When Osweiler last started and won a home game — Oct. 29, 2011 vs. the University of Colorado — Brady already had won two NFL MVP awards. A little daunting, Brock?
“I think the first start was more significant — just getting that first one under my belt. Like I told you guys last week, it’s just a football game,” Osweiler said. “No offense or anything, but you guys are the ones who build it up on social media and things like that.”
Osweiler recognizes the challenge he faces. No team has allowed fewer points this season than the Patriots, their 182 one less than the Broncos. Coach Bill Belichick is the master at taking away an opposing quarterback’s strengths, making the player uncomfortable.
“Shoot they have a lot of talent on that side of the ball,” Osweiler said. “The thing that I think is special about them is that they all play hard. They all play like it’s their last pay. You can really see that on tape.”
Brady brought a heightened passion to this season when it looked the game would be taken from him. Since his discipline was thrown out by a federal judge, Brady has delivered a series of dominating performances. His 25 touchdown passes rank second, and his 3,320 yards lead the NFL, leaving him on pace to challenge Manning’s single-season record of 5,477 set in 2013.
He is 38 going on 28, aging better than Rob Lowe.
“I don’t think he ages,” said tight end Rob Gronkowski. “It feels like he’s always been in his twenties ever since I have been here.”
Broncos coach Wade Phillips said Brady is playing as well now as he did in 2007, the Patriots’ last undefeated regular season. It’s a testament to his quick release and wise decisions that Brady continues to excel despite losing top receiver Julian Edelman and working in front of a mismashed offensive line.
Yet despite his glittering resume, Brady remains 5-5 against the Broncos in the regular season. Counting the playoffs, he owns a 2-5 record in Denver. And he’s never faced a Broncos defense this talented.
“This defense that we’re playing is the best defense in the NFL,” Brady said. “They do everything well. It’s pretty challenging to find things on tape that you really like. We’ve got to be smart with the ball.
“They are very aggressive. I don’t think there’s anything the offense can really do to dictate what they do defensively. They just call their defense, and then they try to tear your head off.”
Osweiler actually does have experience against the Patriots. But he probably won’t draw on it. He was used on special teams in 2013 to try to block the Patriots’ game winning kick because of his height and long wingspan.
“I was confused on that. I was like, ‘Coach, you want me to go in?’^” Osweiler said, laughing. “Yeah, that has nothing to do with what’s going to take place this Sunday.”
Troy E. Renck: trenck@denverpost.com or @troyrenck
