The Broncos’ two-game losing streak is over. Is the Peyton Manning Era in Denver over as well?
With today’s 17-15 win at Chicago, the Broncos have improved to 8-2, and quarterback Brock Osweiler played better than Manning has played this season. That will raise questions about whether Manning, who was officially out this week because of foot and rib injuries, will ever get the starting job back.
Osweiler wasn’t great, but he doesn’t have to be great to keep the starting job. He just has to be better than Manning. And Osweiler was pretty good, completing 20 of 27 passes for 250 yards, with two touchdowns and no interceptions.
The Bears’ offense couldn’t get much going against the excellent Denver defense. Although the Bears had a chance to force overtime late in the fourth quarter, Jay Cutler had a costly fumble that ended one drive, and another drive ended with a touchdown but a missed two-point conversion.
The Broncos’ defense deserves most of the credit, but all the talk this week will be about Osweiler. He may have been good enough to unseat Manning. Permanently.