Brock Osweiler scrambles out of the pocket for a gain Monday night. He played through an injured left shoulder and elbow. “I am not a special case,” Osweiler said. “Everybody is banged up. I will be ready to go.” (AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post)
Players deliver snapshots. Quarterbacks provide signature moments. The position demands it. It is the hub of the the NFL’s universe. You can’t win without a quarterback who, um, can’t win.
In a raw, bitterly cold Monday night, Brock Osweiler grew up. He boasts strong games, but what transpired against the Bengals provided hope for the playoffs and stability at the most opportune time. The Broncos clinched a playoff berth on Monday. They can secure their fifth straight AFC West crown and a bye with a home win over San Diego in the season finale.
“Nothing has changed with Brock. If something would change, the players would know first and you would know second,” said coach Gary Kubiak, repeating what he has said for the past three weeks.
Kubiak is expected to meet with Peyton Manning on Tuesday to map out a plan this week which should include practice and potential availability for the season finale against San Diego. Kubiak has handled this situation deftly, giving Osweiler confidence while showing proper respect to Manning.
But there’s no going back to the past. It’s Brock to the Future.
Right? It’s hard to see a scenario involving change after Monday night.
The Broncos won 20-17 over the Cincinnati Bengals in overtime for a myriad of reasons. Osweiler was chief among them. He has earned the right to stay in the cockpit given his performance and the uncertainty presented by Manning’s left foot injury and six-week layoff.
“I am not focused on that. The focus is on San Diego. I am not concerned with the quarterback situation,” Osweiler said. “Getting into the playoffs was huge. We didn’t blink. We didn’t flinch. We got it done, but we have more to do.”
Osweiler stared down his destiny by playing with confidence, gleaned from his growing experience. In the second half the Broncos made two critical adjustments. The defense, gashed by quarterback AJ McCarron in his second start, put more pressure on upfront an sprinkled in zone coverage, holding the Bengals to a field goal. The offense switched to the two-minute drill.
Anything was better than status quo. The Broncos barely had the ball in the first half, and when they did looked dysfunctional.
“When something’s not working you have to change,” Osweiler said.
The Broncos raced down field on their opening second half drive. It was remarkable given their recent history. Denver had not scored in the third quarter since Nov. 8 at Indianapolis. The Broncos had not scored in the second half in December, a stretch spanning three games. And yet with their fans growing restless and the Bengals increasingly aggressive, Denver sliced the deficit to 14-10. The vibe changed with the drive — ending with Osweiler’s 8-yard touchdown pass to Emmanuel Sanders.
In the fourth quarter, Osweiler put Denver in position to win before Brandon McManus suffered a gaffe, hooking a 45-yarder 30 yards left. “In my 24 years on this earth, I don’t think I have ever kicked a ball like that,” McManus said. Punter and holder Britton Colquitt called it a “breakfast ball” — a mulligan for morning golfers. His levity worked because McManus would receive another opportunity.
Given the ball first in overtime, Osweiler responded. His best throw was arguably one lost in the boxscore. On third-and-10 after two incompletions, Osweiler stepped up in the pocket and lasered a strike to tight end Owen Daniels for 12 yards. A week ago this is a three-and-out.
On this night, with the stakes raised, Osweiler showed poise. He showed he could make plays when the offensive line leaked (he was sacked three times as right tackle Michael Schofield struggled). He showed he could walk to the ledge and swing his foot over without falling. What he did against the Bengals is what is required in the postseason. It rarely follows script. Adjustments are critical. But often it’s about winning a one-on-one battle, about coloring outside the lines.
Osweiler demonstrated growth and improvement. He finished 27 of 39 for 299 yards, and no turnovers. This type of efficiency is needed in January. Manning should be well enough to practice this week. He hasn’t been healthy enough to generate a quarterback controversy. But players make decisions for coaches. Osweiler’s grip on his spot strengthened with a defining performance when his team needed him most.
“Most of all this isn’t about Peyton. This isn’t about me. Tonight is about this football team,” Osweiler said. “What this team did tonight is truly special. It was a huge team win. That’s what the story is.”
