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| After breaking the record for the most touchdowns in a season, Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos eye another shot at a Super Bowl run. But, despite an unbelievable regular season, the bowels of playoff perception are still around. |
55 Touchdowns by 37 years old Peyton Manning, regardless of whether the range of the throws are short or intermediate is patently ridiculous. After four neck surgeries and questions about his arm strength, 2013 has been an amazing year for Peyton and the Denver Broncos. Once again, the venerable legend has qualified for his record 13th playoff berth. Last year, things didn't quite work out for Denver, as the Baltimore Ravens had other plans for them, like winning 38-35 (in Overtime) thanks to Jacoby Jones's heroics with a 70-yard throw from Joe Flacco with 0:31 seconds left in the 4th Quarter (Yeah, thanks Rahim Moore). Manning was possibly on his way to his 10th playoff victory until that moment put the game into overtime, which included an interception to Corey Graham, as Manning threw his body on 2nd & 6 for a pass meant for Brandon Stokley. That loss was about as painful as the one in Pittsburgh, when his Indianapolis Colts were a 1 seed that year, as well.
In his 20 playoff
starts, Manning is 9-11, with eight one-and-dones, but, here's
the thing when mentioning about such a stat like that when you say it
over-and-over for added gravitas: What does that mean, exactly? Because, people
seem to know that number while not looking into said performances of the
individual while not looking into the circumstances of the result; because, it’s
just hard to explain. In his 11 losses, his teams have averaged 16 points in
those defeats. So, of course, here's another blogger who'll lazily write or
opine on the perception that Peyton is indeed a choker, right? Well, simplicity
is hardly a good indicator for a straight answer, but the question was never an
easy one to answer, so, I pretty much don't respond to "he doesn't show up
in big games," unless, he loses said big game, yet plays well in big game, do it in the playoffs or Super Bowl. I can't really explain why
that's his output in those losses, and, there are fair questions to ask without
attaching the choker tag. Despite the running narrative, he played a lot better
than his record indicates, but things like tipped interceptions, dropped
catches or a right-guard forgetting what the hell a snap count is, when you
needed a crucial first-down, has dealt him that absurd tally.
Now, this isn't to say that he not without
blame, considering he was pretty bad against the Patriots in 2003 when he threw
for 4 interceptions (Ty Law nabbed 3 of them, that day) and the year he
eventually won in 2006, he wasn't exactly "special," as if the
playoffs required someone to be that for a maximum of 3 to 4 games. I can only
name 2 or three times when he "didn't show up" or "choked"
per se? 2003 AFC Championship, Super Bowl XLIV; and the Ravens loss last year,
but where else, really? See, it's hard to be exceptional in the playoff;
because, there are endless degrees that have to happen just like it's hard to
throw 7 interceptions and win a Super Bowl; but, of course when you're as
highly profiled athlete like Peyton, things like that will come up.
This playoff
year, the stakes for history are steep for this man, for a variety of reasons:
1.) If Manning were to lose to Cousin Eddie (Actually, Philip Rivers, but, man,
he looks like Randy Quaid from Christmas Vacation) and the San Diego Chargers,
and not play well this Sunday? The "choker" tag will reach to the
highest levels of banality ever. 2.) If the Denver defense lays an egg on
Sunday, yet Manning gives them a 4th quarter lead, in which, then, that Defense
blows again? "Choker" tag & "legacy" questions. 3)
Combination of both? you get the idea. So, once again, Peyton encounters a San
Diego team that's getting good at the right time and knows how to stop the high
powered offense by basically running the clock out and limiting Rivers attempts
at passing. It's a formula that San Diego has used against Manning and a
pattern that has been successful in the past. If Denver can limit that and,
perhaps, get a better flow on all sides of the field, this game won't be competitive
as advertised, but, you know, randomness is always around mess stuff up.
So, what must
Peyton do to change the narrative around him for this nonsense to end? Simple,
win (and be great). LeBron James was in this position before and was criticized
for playoff performances, for better or worse, and people were so close to
define him in the closing stages of game 6 of the NBA Finals against San
Antonio, where LeBron and company led his team back from a 12 point deficit to
take the lead in 4th Quarter. Then, the narrative monsters were
near, as LeBron committed three turnovers late in the period and everything seemed
set in stone for him to be considered a failure....again. By the way, the
Heat beat The Oklahoma City Thunder for the title in 2012, mind you; so, it was
very curious to see where the doubters or pundits were going to do if Miami
were to lose to San Antonio, but it didn’t happen. A couple of crazy bounces
and shots when Miami’s way as they won game 6 and LeBron had a superb Game 7
with 37 points and, of course, LeBron acquired another MVP and championship to
his already stacked mantle. My title has a bit of "Dark Knight"
symbolism here, as this Sunday’s game has the feeling of a harsh cliffhanger or
successful finality, so here’s my explanation: At the end of The Dark Knight,
Batman took the fall for the death of District Attorney Harvey Dent, because he
felt Gotham City wasn't ready for him to be its "watchful protector"
as Commissioner Gordon uttered to his young son. Batman unselfishly took the
fall for attorney for Dent to remain a “symbol” despite his criminal acts. When
Peyton won his only Super Bowl in Miami back in 2006, the doubters left for a
while, but came right back after that pick-6 in SB44 (2009) as some sort of
poetic justice, because he “always does that” in big games. It's been 4 years
since 18 won a playoff game, and, if he suffers another one here, narrative
will determine his place amongst the greatest ever to play the position of
Quarterback, not rationality. Every article that’s meant to explain his losses
won’t do enough for this legend.
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