Looking at the remaining schedule they should be more than capable of winning 3 of their last 5 games. The Titans, Texans and Raiders are all winnable games. But the games against the Chiefs at Arrowhead and a hot Chargers team at home are not going to be as easily won.
Despite that, I honestly don’t see any scenario
where the Broncos DO NOT make playoffs.
You’d think that’d be enough, just to
get to the 2nd level with the possibility of getting to the 3rd
which would be a Super Bowl but in my opinion as a long time diehard fan
it isn’t. Winning the whole thing is the only thing. Another playoff
appearance, another playoff win, another AFC Championship title just isn’t good
enough. Having another early playoff exit and calling it a “good season”, if
that’s what happens this year for many fans would be satisfying enough. Having
a “great season” and winning the whole thing is the only outcome that will be satisfying
for me.
So as I try to clear my head today and
attempt to be optimistic about the possible future outcome for the Broncos this
season it’s impossible to not look back at this game last night and relive the devastation.
The Montee Ball fumble swung the momentum to NE in the 2nd half. |
Despite all the miscues and with the help
of an amazing performance by Knowshon Moreno (A career high 224 rushing yards
and 1 TD) they did have a chance to win it in the 4th quarter.
But…the one key element to finishing
the game and winning it in the 2nd half was Peyton Manning and he
shrunk with the responsibility while Tom Brady rose to it.
Manning vs. Brady
I pointed out in a pregame blog
yesterday that Manning Must Master Brady and the COLD. In it I said despite
having a bum ankle, a 2-9 career record against Brady in Foxboro and a 2-8
record in games that were below freezing, NOW was the time for Manning to put
up or shut up. Unfortunately Brady put up and once again can say he shut up Manning
in a side by side QB comparison.
If you watched the game in full you
couldn’t help but notice that the cold was clearly bothering Manning. When the
cameras took close ups of his red face you could see it contort not just from the
cold but from his lack of confidence. On the sidelines he looked like the coldest player on the field.
The cold windy conditions affected his
ability to make pass plays both short and more noticeably long. His balls were
off target and had no zip when he delivered it. He threw too many balls into double
coverage and missed throwing to open Receivers.
Manning has never been a scrambler or
nifty on his feet and the bum right ankle adds to that deficiency but it can’t
excuse his poor play and decision making. The truth is Manning looked like a
really old man and a sometimes dead armed QB in this game.
Brady on the other hand didn't have any trouble with the chilly windy weather, looked 10 years
younger, moved well on his feet in the pocket, had zip on his throws and exhibited
the confidence in his abilities that he’s had from day one of his career.
Brady won this go around and maybe Manning
will get another shot at him, hopefully at home in the playoffs but now he and
the Broncos will have to regroup, leave this one behind and win this week in KC.
Their playoff destiny still lies in their own hands, if they can have a short
memory. It’ll be hard to forget this one but they will have to and so will the fans. So will I.
No comments:
Post a Comment