DENVER – Brock Osweiler walked on the field Monday night under a massive shadow. His Broncos were crumbling after losses to the Raiders and the Steelers. Peyton Manning was regaining his health. The powerful, violent Bengals defense was waiting.

A kid from Montana realized he was fighting for his starting job.

He won the fight, shutting the door on Manning on a bitterly frigid night. Helped by one of the loudest and finest Bronco crowds of the 21st century, Osweiler willed the Broncos to a 20-17 overtime victory over the Bengals.

“What this football team did tonight is really special,” Osweiler said. “We knew we had to get the win.”

Here’s the play that sticks with me: 

With 1:32 left in the fourth quarter, Osweiler retreated into the pocket and saw Owen Daniels running among a crowd of Bengals. For much of the game, Osweiler declined to take chances, throwing underneath coverage, taking the easy way out.

Not this time.

Osweiler directed a pass to Daniels that was combination fastball/laser. The pass barely eluded the left hand of linebacker Emmanuel Lamur, who slammed the ground in disgust.

It caught Daniels in full stride.

It was one play. I know that. But it was a quarterback delivering when it mattered most.

In the past month, Osweiler has traveled from state hero after a sensational performance against the Patriots to the state’s tallest question mark after a baffling second-half collapse against the Steelers.

He answered the questions against the Bengals. He gained strength and precision and nerve as the night progressed. When he walked on the field, he remained in danger of watching the season’s final games from the sidelines, his place of banishment for the past three seasons.

When Osweiler sprinted off the field after a long, dramatic night, he had earned the right to direct these Broncos as long as they ride this season.

Think about it: Osweiler has been his best against the best. When facing the fierce defenses of the Patriots and Bengals, Osweiler led the Broncos to a total of 33 points in the fourth quarter and overtime. He was precise. He was clutch. He was dazzling.

Sure, he’s stumbled. He was atrocious against the Raiders and during that eternal second half against the Steelers. He seemed nervous in the pocket, declining to hang on to the ball long enough for his receivers to get open. He looked young and shaky.

In the late minutes against the Bengals, he was mature and grounded.

Manning is, even as he waits on the shadows, an intimidating presence. He’s one of the top five quarterbacks ever to throw a football. He carried the Broncos to the Super Bowl. He’s an international celebrity.

Osweiler shook off the intimidation. He showed poise. He showed courage. He showed a powerful right arm.

And coach Gary Kubiak noticed.

“If you’re going to be a good player in this league, you have to be able to shut out the noise and play,” Kubiak said. “He’s done a great job of that.”

Osweiler declined, repeatedly, to discuss his struggle with Manning. He dodged all  questions.

But he did reveal the secret to his ability to thrive in the midst of football chaos.

“I don’t read the newspaper,” Osweiler said. “I don’t turn on ESPN. I don’t turn on NFL Network. A coach once told me – no offense to anybody – close your ears to all that and focus on your job.”

Osweiler would need focus. With three seconds left in regulation, Osweiler walked away from the bench and watched by himself as kicker Brandon McManus prepared to end all the drama and all the fun for several million Bronco fans.

McManus delivered the shank of shanks. His kick was about as close to the uprights as Istanbul is to San Francisco.

In overtime, Osweiler and the Broncos again teetered. On third and 10, he retreated into the pocket and searched for Daniels. He found his tight end for a first down. Oswiler rescued the Broncos and McManus.

“One hell of a play,” Kubiak said.

Watch out. The kid wearing No. 17 is walking into one hell of a future.