Manning's Destiny

     Regarding the Super Bowl, we are coming off of a year where it just seemed like the Baltimore Ravens were destined to win it all and send Ray Lewis off into the sunset as a champion. After having a mediocre regular season, Joe Flacco turned into Joe Montana during the playoffs and cashed in bigtime.

     This year has a similar feel to it, but with Peyton Manning as the main character. No, Manning will probably not retire after the Super Bowl (He has refuted it, but reports have been that it depends on neck exams in March). But Manning has been through quite a bit of adversity the past couple of years, mostly regarding his injury. It is not surprising that Manning has been able to shatter so many passing records this year considering his arsenal, but unlike past years, he has been GREAT in the postseason. Manning won his lone Super Bowl in the 2006 season, and many could make a case that the team was winning in spite of him during the playoffs in which he had more interceptions than touchdowns. That isn’t completely true because Manning’s impact goes further than just the numbers, but it’s a thought.

     Now let’s think about this year. Manning stole Wes Welker, his archrival Tom Brady’s best offensive weapon. Welker played a huge part in the Championship game vs. the Patriots to send the Broncos past the Patriots by taking Aqib Talib out of the game (unintentionally). Coming into the playoffs, Manning’s kryptonite was said to be the San Diego Chargers. He put on an efficient performance to take care of business. He moved on to the Championship game where he faced the duo of Belichick and Brady, arguably the most consistent standard of greatness since their arrival. Manning out on a show and took care of business.

     Now Manning has just one thing left against him: his play in the cold weather. Well, this Super Bowl is being played in New York, where the temperatures will be frigid. He is going against the number one defense in the league in weather conditions that are not ideal for him. He started the playoffs by defeating his kryptonite and then beat the duo that eliminated him twice before in the playoffs. Now if he wins this Super Bowl, he will silence all the critics. Not to mention, in the home of his brother Eli, who two years ago went up to Indy and won a Super Bowl in Peyton’s home.

     Lastly, he is a Denver Bronco. There is a certain quarterback who was late in his career and won a couple of titles. Yes, that would be Peyton’s current President/CEO of the team, John Elway.

     This is something that could not be scripted any better. The chips have aligned perfectly for Peyton. It is all there for the taking this Sunday at MetLife Stadium.