Brock Osweiler To Start For Broncos Against Patriots

After guiding the Denver Broncos to a 17-15 win over the Chicago Bears last week, Brock Osweiler will get a second straight start. Osweiler was a second round pick by the team in 2012, and is considered Denver's future at quarterback. 

The Broncos will keep Peyton Manning on the bench for another week, as he battles injury and ineffectiveness. Manning had completed just 59.9 percent of his passes, the first time he's been below 60 percent since his rookie season. He'd thrown for 2,180 yards in nine games with just nine TD passes. He was picked off 17 times and was on pace to eclipse his career-worst season for interceptions. 

Osweiler completed 20 of 27 passes for 250 yards, two touchdowns and no picks in the win. Osweiler has played sparingly during his time in the NFL, with the bulk of his playing time coming this season. He's 34 of 51 passes for 396 yards, three scores and a pick in two games played this year. 

The Bronco offense featured Osweiler under center far more often than Manning, who operated almost entirely out of the shotgun or pistol this season. Osweiler took 51 snaps under center, more than the offense had taken the entire season combined. The change seemed to benefit the running game as well, as Denver picked up 170 yards on 36 carries.