The worst game of Peyton Manning's career will not cost him his starting job going forward.
Denver Broncos coach Gary Kubiak shouldered the blame for Manning's abysmal performance versus the Kansas City Chiefs, telling reporters after the game that he should have held his starter out of the game due to foot and rib-cage injuries.
"I'm disappointed with myself. This is on me. I probably should've made a decision not to play him in the game," Kubiak said. "Saturday, as you all know, his ribs were bothering him a little bit and I probably should have said right there, 'No, he's not going to go this week.'
"He's a competitor. He wanted to play. ... That's why he's a great player. That's why he's going to be a Hall of Fame player. They want to compete. They want to do everything they can for their football team. But as a football coach, sometimes you have to say 'No, I don't think this is the right thing today.'"
Manning struggled in the pocket and appeared to have trouble pushing off his back foot on his throws. Kubiak suggested the rib issue that popped up on Saturday was even more problematic.
"It was a bad game," Manning conceded. "It's really disappointing. I put our team in bad positions all day."
Although Brock Osweiler succeeded in moving the offense deep in garbage time, Kubiak stated emphatically that there is no quarterback controversy.
"Peyton's our quarterback," Kubiak said. "If he's healthy and ready to go, Peyton's our quarterback."
Manning in on pace for a career-high 30 interceptions, having thrown at least one in every game this season. Even when fully healthy, he has not been a competitive advantage in 2015.
With a diminished Manning and an injured DeMarcus Ware, the Broncos are vulnerable entering a Week 11 matchup with the suddenly frisky Chicago Bears.
