Super Bowl XLVIII: Halftime Thoughts – Peyton Manning Looking Bad
By Jason Seibel
Feb 2, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Malcolm Smith (53) returns an interception for a touchdown against the Denver Broncos in the second quarter in Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Call me crazy, but I really think that Peyton Manning might be the greatest regular season quarterback of all time. Is he good? You damn skippy he is. Fans of the Kansas City Chiefs know all too well how good Manning is after facing him four times in the last two seasons. But tonight, this Seattle Seahawks defense is giving him fits. In fact, with as good as this defense is playing the 17 points the 49ers scored last season looks down right miraculous.
But, is Manning cursed? Is this 22-0 score his fault? Considering that the national media put the entire Broncos offensive success on him — see the fact that he won both Offensive Player of the Year and MVP — it’s safe to say that it’s more his fault than anyone else.
Yes, Manning’s offensive line is leaking like a sieve. Yes, he’s probably completely off his rhythm because the Seahawks have hogged the time of possession battle. But the bottom line is, if everyone wants to crown the Broncos aging quarterback the greatest of all time, he’s got to prove it.
Coming back from a 22 point halftime deficit would go a long way to cement that title as the GOAT. But Manning has never come back from being down more than 20 points in his entire career.
Perhaps somebody should shut off the power?
It almost worked for the 49ers last year.