Is Peyton Manning’s Super Bowl window closing?
By Ryan Disdier
On March 8th, 2012, the Indianapolis Colts took a step in a new, unfamiliar direction.
Peyton Manning, the man who had been the face of the franchise, and in many ways the face of the NFL, for the better part of a decade was released from his contract. Manning had underwent neck surgery and had missed the entire 2011 season. The Colts were going to move on and select Stanford’s Andrew Luck with the first overall pick, and while owner Jim Irsay said: “There will be no other Peyton Manning,” the Colts were certainly going to try to find a similar player.
A teary-eyed Manning left the podium following his final press conference in Indianapolis, the place he had called home for 14 years.
Peyton hit the open market and became one of the biggest free agents in the history of the NFL. A number of teams tried to enlist Manning’s services, but Manning was eventually lured to the Denver Broncos. The player who was once a young Colt was now an aged Bronco.
For all intents and purposes, Manning’s career with Denver has been remarkable. He’s broken records, led the team to two AFC Championship games and even the Super Bowl.
However, that’s not why Manning signed with Denver.
55 single-season touchdowns, 530 career touchdowns and Nation Wide commercials aren’t good enough for Manning. Only another Super Bowl, and avoiding another late collapse, will clench Manning’s hunger.
Manning has been to the top of the mountain before. He led the Colts to a Super Bowl victory over the Rex Grossman-led Chicago Bears in 2006, but since then, Manning has had a myriad of late-season collapses. The most deflating loss came in last year’s Super Bowl against the Seattle Seahawks. In what was nicknamed “The Super Bore,” Manning and his record-setting offense amassed a mere eight points against a stifling Seattle defense.
Feb 2, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) throws against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter in Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
The loss was devastating, as a season that had so many high points ended in the worst way conceivable.
Manning would return this season, and he has led the Broncos to their third-straight AFC West Championship. Another postseason loss, though, would be unacceptable. An athletes’ career should not be defined by one game, but being unable to win critical games has wounded Manning’s legacy.
Manning is starting to slow down, there’s no denying that. He looked hurt at times this year, and during some games he just looked like anything but the Peyton Manning we’re used to seeing on Sundays.
So the question that everyone wants to ask is: Is Manning’s window to win another Super Bowl closing?
Yes. It is.
Athletes, especially football players, cannot play forever. It’s a sad, yet honest truth. While Manning has been like a fine wine as of late, Peyton will be 39 next year, and his age is starting to catch up with him. This year against Buffalo, Manning posted his worst quarterback rating (56.9, per NFL.com) since 2008. He can still perform at the very highest level, but he won’t be around that much longer.
Manning has already debunked rumors that he will retire, and has stated that he will return for next season.
“I certainly plan on being back if the Broncos will have me,” Manning said back in December, according to Mike Klis of the Denver Post.
No one is debating whether or not Peyton is one of the best quarterbacks of all time. No one is debating whether or not he’ll be inducted into the Hall of Fame. The question is whether or not Manning can win the big one once more.
He certainly has the talent surrounding him and he can still throw the ball accurately. This is the first time in a while that Manning has a reliable run game and a reliable defense. DeMarcus Ware, Chris Harris Jr., Aqib Talib and Von Miller are only some of the names part of the now-elite Denver defense.
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Miller and Ware are a formidable pass-rushing duo, and Aqib Talib remains as feisty and as competitive as ever. Harris Jr. is a name that isn’t said much, but he is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL.
Denver’s defense finished the regular season as the third best, according to NFL.com.
The offense is also highly dangerous. C.J. Anderson has proven to be an integral part of the Denver offense. Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders and Julius Thomas round out the playmakers for Manning.
Sanders had a breakout year and he was snubbed from the Pro Bowl. Demaryius Thomas is one of the most exciting players to watch, as his rare combination of strength and speed makes him an incredibly lethal target. Julius Thomas, who emerged last year, is another weapon for Manning to throw to.
It feels foreign to say, but a Peyton-led offense does not live and dive by number 18’s production. Manning no longer needs to carry the entire team on his 38-year-old shoulders.
So yes, the window is closing, but Manning can still do it, and he has the right team to do so.
Despite the talent lining up beside him, Manning is still the key for Denver to win a Super Bowl, and he will surely receive most of the blame is the team loses. Nobody will talk about how Chris Harris‘ defense failed to rise to the occasion, or how C.J. Anderson had a poor postseason. No, people will cite an all-too familiar Peyton Manning collapse as the reason for Denver’s elimination.
When the postseason starts, Manning has been known less as an MVP and more as a goat who throws a big interception in a bad spot. Manning has a career playoff record of 11-12, per Pro Football Reference. He can still do it, he just needs to be a little smarter with the ball. He’s still a top-five quarterback, but something has to change if he wants to win another Super Bowl. This current Broncos team gives him the best chance to win that he’s had in years, and it will probably be the best supporting cast Manning will ever have.
Luckily for Manning, he is not a quarterback that relies on superhuman athletic abilities like Cam Newton. Manning’s greatest weapon is his mind and his ability to read defenses and make adjustments.
Manning is not a low-level quarterback that is unworthy of being in the postseason, but he has seen far more failures than triumphs. The rest of the league isn’t going to just sit idly by and wait for Manning to capture another Lombardi.
Sep 7, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) calls out in the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
As good as a season as the Broncos have had, making the Super Bowl for a second consecutive year is no easy task.
The journey starts on Sunday.
To get back to the Super Bowl, Peyton must beat the man who replaced him in Indianapolis.
Andrew Luck and the Colts travel to Denver on Sunday, and the matchup between the two quarterbacks is set to be another classic game. While Manning has said he’s over the Andrew Luck comparisons, the comparisons are hard to ignore.
The two signal callers have split the series 1-1, with Luck beating Peyton in Indianapolis, and Peyton besting Luck in Denver.
Luck has suffered from the some of the same criticisms as Manning. Like the man who led the Colts to so many playoff berths before him, Luck has struggled to win the big games. He is 1-2 in the playoffs. Another big loss in the playoffs will make Manning wait another year to get a shot at redemption, and in turn, it will make him wait until he is one year older. Coincidentally enough, the oldest quarterback to ever win a Super Bowl is John Elway, the same man who recruited Manning to Denver. Elway was 38 at the time he won the Super Bowl.
A win against the Colts would mean a rematch against a team that has haunted Manning’s past, as the Broncos will play the winner of the game between the Baltimore Ravens and the New England Patriots.
Tom Brady has beaten Manning 11 times in 16 meetings, and Brady and the Patriots shellacked Denver earlier this year.
The last time Denver hosted Baltimore in the postseason, disaster ensued for the Broncos. Manning threw two picks, including a crucial one in overtime.
None of that will matter if the Broncos can continue to win. A win in the AFC Championship game would put give Denver the ultimate chance for redemption.
It would be Manning’s fourth Super Bowl, and it would be a return to everything from his past.
The pick-six to Tracy Porter, the embarrassment that was Super Bowl 48 and the lone victory.
And while Manning has insisted he has zero plans to retire, so much can change when you hoist that Lombardi Trophy and realize once again, you are at the pinnacle of your career.
There is still time left for Manning to right some of his unfortunate mistakes, but it won’t be easy and time is ticking. Sunday will be a perfect test for Manning to show that he can still lead his team to the promised land.