In leading the Denver Broncos to a 20-17 overtime victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, quarterback Brock Osweiler not only put his team in position to capture a first-round bye in the playoffs, but strengthened his hold on the starting job.
Heading into the primetime meeting with the previously second-seeding Bengals, there were rumblings that Peyton Manning could make his return in Week 17 if Osweiler didn’t deliver.
Instead, the Denver quarterback led what should have been a game-winning drive at the end of regulation before finishing the job in overtime.
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“There’s an old saying: ‘It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish,’” Osweiler said. “And this team finished great tonight.”
After trailing 14-3 at half-time, the Broncos evened the score at 17 before Osweiler marched the offence on a seven-play, 54-yard drive in the final 1:40 to set up a game-winning kick.
Brandon McManus shanked the 45-yarder, but redeemed himself after a 14-play, 61-yard drive afforded him a 37-yard opportunity in extra time.
Osweiler finished with 299 yards on 27-of-39 completions along with a touchdown and no interceptions.
He’s now 4-2 as the starter, with overtime wins over Cincinnati and New England – currently the third seed and top seed in the AFC,
respectively.
“I know he’s got to answer a lot of questions every week, and if we don’t get it done as a team they’re going to question him.
“That’s the nature of the position but he does a great job handling it. He’s a level-headed guy,” Broncos tight end Owen Daniels said of
Osweiler.
“He’s a very positive guy. Even when things go really bad, you’re not going to see him hanging his head or sulking. You want to see your quarterback, as a leader of the offence, you want to see his demeanour be good so it rubs off on other people.”
Denver have clinched a playoff berth and can win the AFC West title, along with securing a first-round bye, with a victory against San Diego in Week 17.
A bye would allow Manning to continue recovering from his foot injury, but Broncos coach Gary Kubiak has made it clear Osweiler will remain the starter for now.
“Nothing has changed with Brock,” Kubiak said.
“If something would change, players would know first.”