Father Time is still undefeated.
Whenever Peyton Manning decides to call it quits, we’ll look back at his career and marvel at his incredible numbers and accomplishments, but for the time being, Denver Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak has a major decision to make.
Sure, the Broncos are 7-2 and seem to have clear control of the AFC West, however, the goal in the ‘Mile High City’ is to win a Super Bowl and with the way things have been going this year, it doesn’t appear they’ll be able to accomplish that feat with Peyton at quarterback.
The 39-year-old is having the worst season of his career.
Manning has a touchdown to interception ratio of 9:17, yes, 9:17.
Fortunately, Denver has arguably the best defense in the NFL, which has been responsible for majority of their wins, but yesterday’s performance by Manning may have been the final straw.
The future hall of famer was 5-of-20 for 35 yards to go along with four interceptions, which resulted in his benching.
Come to find out, Manning has been battling a foot injury, but he doesn’t want to use that as a cop out.
“I have a really hard time using that as any type of excuse,” Manning said, per ESPN’s Jeff Legwold. “I had some injuries during the week … I felt good enough to go out there and play. It’s obviously, you look back on it now, I have a hard time saying that’s why I played, you know, badly. Could that be the reason? I guess it could be, but to me, that’s an easy way out, kind of an easy line to say after the fact … I wanted to go, I wanted to be out there for the team.”
Kubiak is beating himself up for even allowing Manning to play.
“To be honest with you, I was protecting him. I was worried about him,” Kubiak said. “Let me just say this: Obviously, I’m very disappointed in the football game … I’m disappointed in myself, this is on me. I probably should have made a decision not to play him in the game. I needed to make probably that tough decision there.”
If Kubiak thinks that was a tough decision, his next one will be even tougher.
Manning is doubtful to play this week, but the question is whether or not should he play at all the remainder of the season?
His backup, Brock Osweiler, has been shadowing Manning for four years now, but his time is now. After all, Osweiler is a former second round draft pick.
During his short career, he’s only attempted 54 passes, mostly in garbage time.
“I knew Peyton was a little banged up, to what extent, I didn’t really feel like was any of my business,” Osweiler said. “I just prepare like I am going to play. He’s been a (heck) of a leader for this team for a lot of years. I stand behind him 100 percent and I do not expect to be the starter.”
If Denver wants to compete for a title, it’s time for Manning to stand behind Osweiler.