If Brock Osweiler stole Peyton Manning’s job Sunday night, a call the 25-year-old made in overtime will help validate Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak’s decision.
After Osweiler showed veteran poise by leading a five-play, 83-yard touchdown drive to take the lead with 1:22 remaining in regulation, Tom Brady came back and forced overtime by getting the Patriots in field goal range. But with the help of running back C.J. Anderson, Osweiler did it again in OT.
Anderson, who scored the game-winning touchdown on a 48-yard run, said after the game that Osweiler is the one who called the play. Peter King confirmed that in his column for the MMQB, noting that Osweiler called two plays in the huddle and changed the play at the line of scrimmage.
More from King:
In the huddle, Osweiler called two plays; coach and play-caller Gary Kubiak told Osweiler before the play, “You get us the best one.” Osweiler would give a signal once he saw how the Patriots aligned on defense. As the huddle broke, the quarterback told running back C.J. Anderson, “Hey man, just go. Make a play.”
Osweiler got to the line, under center, and surveyed the New England front. He was going to run C.J. Anderson to the weak side (that was his first call in the huddle) but saw something he didn’t like there—maybe an unblocked Rob Ninkovich hovering on the quarterback’s right. Whatever, he switched to a strong-side sweep to the left. “KILL! KILL! KILL!” he called, arms stretched out parallel to the ground. To the left, tight end Vernon Davis and a strong blocking wide receiver, Bennie Fowler, got ready to seal the left side for Anderson.
Osweiler even yelled “Omaha!” while making the adjustment.
Osweiler hasn’t exactly broken records in his first two NFL starts, but he led Denver to a win over a red-hot Bears team on the road last week and followed that up by ending New England’s undefeated season. He has thrown three touchdowns and just one interception. Manning threw a pick in every game he started this season.
Based on what we heard about Manning over the weekend, it sounds like the Broncos are almost certainly heading for an awkward situation.
