MVP

“I’ve said all along that it’s part of growing up. If you’re going to be a good player in this league, you have to block out noise. That’s just part of it. He’s done a great job of that. I think the team has done a great job of that and rallied behind him,” Kubiak said of Osweiler.

The young quarterback did not let the limited time of possession in the first half get him down and he once again, in his short career as the Broncos starting quarterback, won a game late against a formidable foe. He finished the game with 299 passing yards and completed the big throws in the fourth quarter and overtime to win the game. He hit Owen Daniels five times for 70 yards, most of which were in the final moments of regulation and overtime.

“It seems like any time I throw the football to Owen, he is making a play and he’s catching that ball. When the game is on the line, you want to look for your guys that you know are going to make plays. Fortunately for this team, there is a lot of guys in that locker room,” Osweiler said of his targets.

He hit Daniels for two big plays at the end of regulation for a combined 42 yards but a McManus missed field goal forced overtime. The Broncos won the ball on the coin toss and Osweiler proceeded lead them down the field quickly again. The Broncos ran the ball only three times on the game-winning drive, displaying their confidence in their quarterback. The one major factor that was highlighted by the games final play, a fumble by McCarron is what made Osweiler the MVP of the game and something he has focused on since being named the starter.

“One specific thing that I’ve learned? Obviously protecting the football,” Osweiler said. “When you protect the football and you have the defense that plays the way that our defense plays, you’re going to give your team a chance to win the game.”

Honorable mention: Several players had big plays down the stretch for the offense. Thomas and Sanders had big plays to get them back in the game. Sanders had a catch that set up the Broncos’ first field goal and he had the teams only receiving touchdown that cut the Bengals lead to 14-10. Thomas had a big third down catch to set up the game-winning field goal as well but Daniels because the previously mentioned stats and moments of his catches was the most important receiver Monday.