Nearing the Finish Line

(Photo via ESPN)

Remember when the New England Patriots were embarrassed on Monday Night Football against the Kansas City Chiefs? Everyone thought the sky was falling and the Brady/Belichick era was ending. 

Now the Denver Broncos are in a similar situations. The Broncos have lost twice in the divisional round of the playoffs during Peyton Manning's three years in Denver. The one year Denver made it past the divisional round, they lost in the Super Bowl. 

Everyone wants to place the blame on Peyton Manning. Fans were booing Manning towards the end of the game. Manning was playing terribly the last five weeks of the season and apparently that is the result of a torn quad. The problem with Manning was not the lack of arm strength, but his accuracy. He could throw the ball well but was overthrowing way too many receivers. Also note, Manning has never been great in the postseason. 

The Denver Broncos are not ready to give up on Peyton Manning. The Broncos fired their head coach, and there is a good chance the offensive coordinator and/or defensive coordinator are out too. The Broncos have spent a lot on free agents, so they don't have much of an option to get out of their plan now. Odds are when Peyton Manning retires, players will go elsewhere, and the Broncos will be in rebuilding for awhile. The Broncos have no other option than to stick with Manning. However, does Peyton Manning want to come back. 

Peyton Manning is one of the best quarterbacks ever and is very intelligent. It is very unlikely Peyton Manning hangs up his cleats for good. Peyton Manning will look at this last season and see he still has a lot to give. Yes, Manning will never be as good as the 2013 season or his 2006 Super Bowl season, but he can still take this team to the playoffs and possibly the Super Bowl. 

Expect one, maybe two more season from Peyton Manning before he heads to Canton.