Peyton Manning sits, Brock Osweiler to start for Broncos Sunday

Though, Manning's performance on Sunday was not an anomaly for the veteran quarterback this season.

"That's a football move", Manning said.

On the same day that he overtook Brett Favre to set the National Football League record for career passing yards, Peyton Manning was benched for 24-year-old career backup Brock Osweiler.

“I’m not a coach, for one thing, ” Manning said. Now, more than six weeks later, there has been more exposure to the Denver defense under Phillips.

Though Manning declined to go into specifics about his meeting with Kubiak, he did acknowledge he was less than thrilled with where he stands.

"To be honest, I was protecting him because I was anxious about him", of pulling Manning.

A few Broncos players told ESPN's that Manning had difficulty walking last week.

Manning is suffering from foot, rib and ankle injuries.

Am I overreacting now, to this news - to this life raft - that Manning isn't finished, just injured? "I will try to take advantage of this week and try to get to feeling better and getting healthy". Kubiak, who met with Manning for an hour Monday, said the two will sit down next Monday to "re-evaluate". "I should have probably made the decision not to play him".

But "by going out there and trying to help the team, I ended up hurting the team". "I think he understands the position I'm in, and I sure as hell understand the type of person he is and the player he is". They dumped the passer three more times in the second half, two from outside linebacker Justin Houston.

What would it mean for 39-year-old quarterback Peyton Manning? Osweiler is an unknown and Manning is a future hall of farmer, any chance you can have a QB of Manning's level miss a game it obviously gives the Bears a better chance to win.

Fox, who was Denver's coach for four seasons, also praised Osweiler. "First of all, it's very exciting, but at the same time, Peyton is still our guy". Do I feel more comfortable out there? Yes.

"To be honest with you, I was protecting him". We're focused on this week, then we'll re-evaluate next week. He even took it a step further and said, "I can speak for everyone in the locker room and say that we all support him 100%".

Osweiler will be making the first start of his four-year career.

Manning had the first 0.0 rated game since Chris Redman in 2007 and his interception total for the season is only one less than Jay Cutler and Philip Rivers had previous year, who both led the league in intercepted passes.

Blaine Gabbert, the former Parkway West High and Mizzou star, is the guy for now as he makes a second straight start after leading the 49ers to a 17-16 win against Atlanta on November 8 ahead of the team's bye week. It was especially bothersome after playing on the artificial turf in Denver's 27-24 loss at Indianapolis on November 8, and Manning was extremely limited in his practice last week.

"He was doing everything he could to play for this football team", Kubiak said. "And he would do it again this week, too".

"I know that it's the best decision for him, for us to get him back and healthy".

Osweiler admitted the announcement caught him a bit off guard. "Like I said, they know exactly where we stand and where we're headed".