Broncos announce Brock Osweiler to start this week vs. Bengals

Brock Osweiler will make his sixth straight start for the Denver Broncos this Monday against the Cincinnati Bengals, with head coach Gary Kubiak making the announcement to players on Wednesday morning, and the team announcing it via its website shortly after.

Team reporter Andrew Mason wrote that Peyton Manning “will focus on his rehabilitation from a torn plantar fascia. He is not expected to practice Wednesday or be active this week as he works back toward full health.”

Kubiak made the decision after conversations with Manning earlier this week, Mason continued.

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Osweiler started strong but finished poorly last week against the Steelers, a 34-27 loss that saw the Broncos fall to 10-4. The fourth-year quarterback, who is getting the first starts of his career, completed 14 of 18 passes, with three touchdowns, plus a rushing touchdown, in the first two quarters against Pittsburgh, as Denver was 8-for-8 on third downs and held a 27-13 halftime lead. But in the second half, he was just 7-for-26 passing and had an interception; Denver was shut out, and the Steelers came back.

The New England Patriots have already clinched one of the top two seeds in the AFC and the accompanying first-round bye, but the game between Cincinnati and Denver could decide who gets the second. If the Broncos hand the Bengals their fouth loss and both teams finish the season with idential records, the Broncos would get the bye by virtue of the head-to-head win. A Bengals win will secure the AFC North title and the other first-round bye.