The Denver Broncos are undefeated this season and with Peyton Manning struggling a bit, they have done it with defense and heading into Week 6, head coach Gary Kubiak said he is not thinking about benching Manning for Brock Osweiler. The Broncos have Ronnie Hillman and CJ Anderson finding it hard to get things going and fantasy owners should start Hillman for now heading into Week 6.
The Broncos have the Browns on the schedule next and while the team won't take Cleveland lightly, this should be a win for Denver. Manning is up there in age and he is showing it this season, but so far it hasn't hit the Broncos in the loss column. According to the Denver Post, Kubiak was asked about Manning and whether the team should give some reps to Osweiler and Kubiak said that "Peyton is doing just fine" for the team.
The defense has been stepping up and that has allowed Manning to do his thing without it really hurting the Broncos. That could change over the next few weeks, but with a bye coming up, the Broncos could look at giving Manning some rest to keep him fresh for the back stretch of the season. The running game was expected to be more consistent and that would be a big help for Manning and the offense if Anderson and Hillman can get things going. Manning has six touchdowns and seven interceptions this season in five games and he has thrown for 1234 yards for the Broncos.
Anderson got the start in the game in Week 5 for the Broncos, but he did not get much done with just 22 yards against the Raiders. Anderson had two catches and 11 carries in the game and this season he is averaging just 2.6 yards per carry. Anderson was a breakout player last season, but he has not been able to get it going this year. Hillman only had 21 yards in the game on the ground and he has also been slow to start, but he has been more effective than Anderson with 212 yards and a 4.6 yards per carry average.
Anderson and Hillman likely will continue to split time and in Week 6 keep an eye on the injury report, as NBC Denver reports that Hillman "tweaked" his hamstring against the Raiders. The Broncos are also dealing with an injury to DeMarcus Ware, as the defensive end had to be carted off the field last week during the second quarter against the Raiders.
Pro Football Talk reports that Ware suffered a back injury and that the injury is "not serious" and that Ware could miss one game. Ware has 4.5 sacks this season and has been very solid for the number one defense in the league. PFT reports that the back injury is a "sprain" or "spasms" and that it shouldn't keep Ware out long. The team has the Browns next and then a bye week before playing against the Packers on Sunday night football.
Check here for more on the Broncos, Manning and the running backs.
