Peyton Manning to ride the pine Friday in preseason opener

This is not Peyton Manning‘s team. It’s Gary Kubiak‘s Denver Broncos team.

Kubiak made that point clear all offseason, resting the masterful Manning on multiple occasions, resting the All-Pro so his 39-year old body has something left in the tank come playoff time.

That theme continues on Friday night, when the Broncos head to the great northwest to face the Seattle Seahawks (kickoff scheduled for 8 p.m. MT). There will be no Manning, the Brock Show will go on.

Manning hasn’t been the only veteran singled out by Kubiak in terms of rest; Von Miller, DeMarcus Ware, T.J. Ward and Chris Harris are examples of those star vets the first-year Broncos head coach has sat during training camp.

Which means, for the offense, it’s the Brock Osweiler show. After a so-so first go, Osweiler impressed on Sunday in training camp. He led the offense with relative ease, fitting passes into tight windows – like his touchdown to Demaryius Thomas on a post – while connecting with receivers on a variety of throws. Osweiler showed poise in the pocket as well as with the media afterwards; he’s ready for this start.

In many ways, this is a make-or-break preseason for Osweiler. He’s in a contract year, at the same time Manning is seemingly on his way out, meaning the Broncos have to make the tough decision on whether or not to resign him or let him leave.

“Oz” has to impress both Kubiak and general manager John Elway, not just in practice, but in game-time situations. It all begins on Friday for No. 17. The expectations are high and the pressure is on; can Osweiler handle it well?