In the game when he broke the NFL’s all-time passing record, Peyton Manning had to watch from the sideline as the final seconds of the clock ticked down on a loss that will surely send all of Broncos Country into a furor.
But Manning wasn’t standing on the sideline because Alex Smith was leading Kanas City on a final drive to close out the game. He was there because head coach Gary Kubiak benched him midway through the third quarter after Manning threw his fourth interception on the day.
It was a heartbreaking day for the all-time great as he watched the final quarter-and-a-half from the Broncos sideline after going 5-for-20 for just 35 yards and four interceptions. His passer rating on the day was, incredibly, 0.0 – the first time a quarterback had posted such a rating since 2007.
The MHS team and the media at-large catalogued Manning’s extensive struggles in the first half, and as the second half unfolded and Kubiak was forced to make a tough decision, they stayed with it.
Like the rest of Broncos Country, they were trying to make sense of a historically bad performance by one of the historically best players in the game.
Some were skeptical that Manning was going to have a good second half, especially playing from behind…
Like the Colts game, being down two scores is about as bad as it can get for Manning & the #Broncos he can't throw you back into a game.
— Josh Dover (@JoshuaDover) November 15, 2015
And offered some perspective on other ways Manning is comparing to Favre, although not in a good way…
With the passing record thing, for what it's worth: Brett Favre final season: 11 TDs, 19 INTs. Peyton Manning this season: 9 TDs, 16 INTs.
— Paul Klee (@bypaulklee) November 15, 2015
So just how bad was Manning?
3 interceptions
4 "would be" interceptions
12 incompletions
1 fumble
1 self sack
1 intentional groundingUhhhhh….
— Kyle Keefe (@kylekeefetv) November 15, 2015
Chiefs have 5 field goals. Manning has 5 completions. Not good.
— Mark Kiszla (@markkiszla) November 15, 2015
Last time a qb had a zero qb rating was Chris redmon in 2007
— Darren McKee (@DMacSportsCO) November 15, 2015
Why was Manning so bad? There was plenty of speculation.
I have never seen Peyton Manning look as bad as he looks today. 3 INTs in the first half and no explosive plays. I have to think he's hurt.
— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) November 15, 2015
Manning QB rating is now 0.0 late in 2Q. It has been obvious since 1Q that he is not fit to play this game.
— Mark Kiszla (@markkiszla) November 15, 2015
Tonight should not be an inditement on Manning but rather the coaching staff that allowed him to be put in that position while injured.
— Adam Kinney (@adamrkinney) November 16, 2015
John Elway has assembled a horrific offense, run by his ex-roommate. And he lets a Hall of Fame player take all the heat. Shameful. #broncos
— James Merilatt (@jamesmerilatt) November 15, 2015
And many wondered why not make the change earlier?
Whether PM is hurt or not, Kubiak will have to answer a lot of tough questions. If he's hurt, why play him? If he's not, why stick w/him?
— Les Shapiro (@LesShapiro) November 15, 2015
I'm wondering whether Gary Kubiak CAN bench Peyton Manning? Not every coach has total autonomy, and that's a massive decision.
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) November 15, 2015
Would an MLB manager leave his ace in the game if he was getting rocked? What am I missing here…its time to sit Peyton
— Arran Andersen (@arranandersen) November 15, 2015
Now the speculation will ensue as to whether or not Osweiler will start Week 10 against Chicago. The answer is not so clear.
"You definitely start Peyton Manning next week," Trent Green says. Probably right, but I'm not totally sure.
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) November 16, 2015
Perhaps the only truth that emerged on the day?
Hey kids… So what have we learned today?
Sports brings out the best & worst in people especially when you're talking about the QB. #Broncos
— Eric Goodman (@EricGoodman) November 16, 2015