Odds are -- no, for a variety of reasons. Now 38, Archie's boy would be the oldest QB in NFL history to win a Super Bowl. This is not to say the "man of a billion stupid commercials" is a geezer and has no chance. Indeed, he remains highly effective on the field and has a great team around him -- on both sides of the ball.
But to win another Super Bowl (Manning has only done it once) first you have to get there. And that's where the hard part comes in. The playoffs are quite the gauntlet/minefield where one misstep can spell disaster. The also-rans and patsies have been sent packing and only the cream of the crop teams remain. Besides, it's the NFL, and you know what they say about "on any given Sunday". Upsets happen. Even in the playoffs and Super Bowl. Who would have thought Eli Manning and the barely playoff-worthy NY Giants had a chance a few years back against Tom Brady and the mighty Patriots who had gone undefeated all season? Yet the Giants not only ran the playoff gauntlet, but pulled off a huge upset in the Super Bowl. Stuff happens.
[Idle weird stat. By virtue of knocking off the Carolina Panthers, the Seattle Seahawks became the first defending Super Bowl champions to win a SINGLE playoff game the following year since the Patriots did it in 2005 -- as in nine years worth. This post-season business is no cakewalk, especially when one has a target on their back. Throw in star free agents having jumped ship for more money and the complacency thing and being defending champions doesn't guarantee squat the following year]
As this is written, Manning and the Denver Broncos have yet to play the Indy Colts in the playoffs. Denver is favored at home, no surprise, and will likely prevail. As mentioned in a previous post, Indy QB Andrew Luck is a phenomenal talent and his day might come -- but it ain't gonna be this year. The old man in mile high still finds time between all the moronic endorsements to play some pretty damn good football. So let's assume the Broncos move on. What happens next?
They travel to New England where the BB boys and company await. In head-to-head match-ups over the years, Tom Brady has pretty much owned Peyton Manning. Gisele's man is 11-5 over Papa John's pizza buddy. That includes 8-4 during Manning's heyday with the Colts, and 3-1 since he joined the Broncos. The Patriots would certainly be favored, but let's further hypothesize that somehow Peyton and his crew find a way to defeat them. Could happen. After all, 11-5 is far different than 16-0, and even if it was the latter -- stranger things have happen. See the above mentioned Giants/Pats Super Bowl game.
Yes, this is getting way ahead of things, and Dallas still has to play at Green Bay. Both are excellent teams. Yet regardless of who wins, they have to visit the house of the Legion of Boom in the northwest in the NFC finals. Given the roll the defending champs have been on of late, does anybody really think the Pack or Da Boys can actually win there with a Super Bowl berth at stake? Not me.
So if all the above fairy tale came true, the Broncos would be off to face, drum roll please, the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl. Again.
What was the score last year? 43-8? A total beatdown. Given the same two teams, could we expect an entirely different result? Not likely.
In other words, Peyton Manning has some serious mountains yet to climb this year if he wants another Super Bowl ring. Is it possible? Sure. Joe Namath and the upstart Jets knocked off the mighty Baltimore Colts. A bunch of college kids defeated the invincible Soviet Red Army Team a few decades ago in Olympic hockey. Remember the Miracle Mets of 1969? Not counting the Cubs winning the World Series or the Detroit Lions hoisting the Vince Lombardi trophy, anything's theoretically possible. Even my ex someday returning my roto-tiller, which she took with her into a second story luxury apartment. Figure THAT one out.
But I wouldn't bet on it.
Nevertheless, here's wishing Peyton Manning all the best in his quest for a second ring. The dude's got money, Buicks and pizza coming out of his ears, and even Nationwide is on his side.
But the odds aren't, and his window of opportunity is rapidly closing. 38 is 38 and if he doesn't get it done this year things won't get easier in the future. That's assuming there IS a future beyond just hanging on in name value only to collect obscene paychecks. Perhaps a chat with Tiger Woods would prove enlightening. Just a thought.....
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