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Patriots-Broncos Preview

Nov 25, 2015 - 7:23 PM Peyton Manning's injured foot will prevent the renewal of the greatest quarterback rivalry of this era.

Perhaps for good.

It will instead be Tom Brady versus Brock Osweiler when the unbeaten New England Patriots visit the Denver Broncos on Sunday night with the possibility of claiming another AFC East title.

The Broncos have ruled Manning out for the next two games as the aging quarterback deals with a partially torn plantar fascia in his left foot. The lingering injury has attributed to the worst season of the five-time NFL MVP's career and triggered speculation that he's contemplating retirement as he approaches his 40th birthday.

Denver (8-2) has survived Manning's league-high 17 interceptions and 67.6 passer rating to hold a three-game lead atop the AFC West, in large part due to its strong defense and most recently Osweiler's readiness to step in when needed.

Osweiler proved capable in his first career start, throwing two touchdowns and engineering the offense's first turnover-free performance of the season in last week's 17-15 win at Chicago. The 2012 second-round pick completed 20 of 27 passes for 250 yards to help the Broncos halt a two-game skid marred by six Manning interceptions.

"He did a really good job," Broncos coach Gary Kubiak said. "We didn't protect him very good in the first half, had to take his lumps in a couple situations but kept his composure (and) would come back to make the next play. He did a heck of a job."

Osweiler credited his efficient effort to the four seasons he spent learning behind the NFL's career leader in passing yards and touchdown passes.

''I don't know if anybody believed me, but I really was telling the truth - I have not wasted a single day sitting behind Peyton,'' he said. ''I fully recognize that he might be the greatest quarterback to ever play, if not one of the greatest. I wasn't going to let one of those days go by where I didn't learn something. I've been very appreciative for my situation.''

Osweiler was aided by a running game that churned out 170 yards, 102 from Ronnie Hillman. Such production may be hard to come by, however, against a New England defense that's held opponents to 63.0 per game and 2.9 per carry over the last five wins.

Buffalo's LeSean McCoy did rush for 82 yards and a touchdown on Monday, though the Patriots limited the Bills to 3 for 15 on third downs to hold on for a 20-13 victory and move to 10-0.

New England now owns a five-game lead on Buffalo and New York and can clinch a seventh consecutive division crown with a win and a Jets' loss to Miami on Sunday, or if both the Jets and Bills lose.

Brady, 11-5 all-time against Manning including a split of four postseason matchups, continues to excel in his 16th season, though the 38-year-old didn't have one of his best showings on Monday. He completed a season-low 51.3 percent of his attempts (20 of 39) and was intercepted once while working with a receiving corps beset by several injuries.

Already without top target Julian Edelman due to a broken foot, the Patriots lost Danny Amendola (knee) and Aaron Dobson (ankle) during the game and neither is expected to play this week. Passing-down back Dion Lewis suffered a season-ending torn ACL in Week 9.

''Yeah, we've lost a lot of guys, and we've lost quite a few guys over the last three weeks,'' Brady said. ''So I think we'll just keep fighting and figuring out a way to win, and it's good to win against a good defense. Any way you can get these wins, I think it's a positive.''

Brady also was often under heavy duress from Buffalo, facing pressure on 45 percent of his dropbacks. That could be the case again this week, as Denver leads the NFL with 34 sacks and has yielded league lows of eight touchdown passes and 190.6 passing yards per game.

"We've got to block better. We've got to get open. We've got to run better," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. "We've got to do everything better. It just wasn't the kind of production or offensive performance we were looking for."

Brady will still have tight end Rob Gronkowski (51 catches, 843 yards, 8 TDs) at his disposal, while running back James White provided a lift with a touchdown catch along with a rushing score against Buffalo.

Denver may have its receiver group at full strength with wideout Emmanuel Sanders expected to return after missing last week with an ankle sprain.

The Patriots make their first trip to Denver since a 26-16 loss in the 2013 AFC Championship. New England rolled to a 43-21 home win over the Broncos last November behind four Brady touchdown passes.