Week Seventeen Reactions-Sorting Out The Madness

Dec 29, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) throws the ball against the Oakland Raiders during the second quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Manning and the Broncos Break Records And Cruise Into the Playoffs
This entire season (as predicted), the Denver Broncos have been arguably one of the best teams in the NFL, scoring the most points in NFL history while maintaining an AFC-Best 13-3 record. The main key for the Broncos’ success this season has been the unbelievable play of their 37 year-old QB Peyton Manning. Along with leading the highest scoring offense ever (606 points scored in 2013, average of 37.8 points per game), the offense with the most passing first downs (293 first downs), and most points in a 2nd half by a team in a single season (318 points, broke their own record by 19 points set in 2012), Manning also made some records of his own by passing for 55 touchdowns (5 more than Tom Brady’s 50 in 2007), one more yard than Drew Brees’ 5,476 yards record, most two-touchdown, four-touchdown and 400+ yard games in a season (15, 9, and 4 games, respectively). With such receivers as Demaryius Thomas, Wes Welker, Erik Decker and TE Julius Thomas, it is no wonder that Manning was able to break the record. What happened this past Sunday against the Raiders was more of the same from Manning and the Broncos as Manning completed 89.2% of his passing while throwing for 266 yards and 4 TDs as the Broncos won handily over the Raiders 34-14 and sealed their #1 seed in the AFC. If there is anything we can say from this game is that Manning and the Broncos should get at least to the AFC Championship if not the Super Bowl this season. They’ve got the QB, they’ve got the running game and to be honest they have an average defense that should give them the opportunity to win some ball games. The real question here lies in how Manning plays;  if number 18 plays horribly, the Broncos’ entire season could remain in jeopardy. In games where Manning has completed 60% of his passes or lower, the Broncos have a 1-2 record, including a 34-31 overtime loss to the Patriots in which the Broncos squandered a huge halftime lead. If Manning can pull a Joe Flacco and play absolutely lights out these playoffs, expect the Broncos to go to the Super Bowl, no doubts about it. The only real competition the Broncos have in the AFC are Tom Brady and the Patriots and Philip Rivers and the Chargers who have already beat the Broncos once this season. The Brady-Manning rivalry has been around since the mid-2000s and has never been as competitive as this season. Manning and the Broncos have the offensive firepower, but the Patriots have the defense to back their offense up. If Brady and Manning do meet in the AFC Championship this season (which I expect it to happen), look for Manning and the Broncos to win the AFC crown and go to the Super Bowl. I expect Manning to win not because he is the better of the QBs (I do think he’s better  than Brady, but that argument I’ll save for later), but rather because Manning and his entourage is purely unstoppable this season. In 2013, four of Manning’s main receivers have caught 10+ touchdown passes. Four (an NFL record, by the way). Look for Manning and his receivers to hook up for scores multiple times these playoffs, in the case that one receiver is double-covered, don’t worry, there will always be another right there waiting for a Manning pass.