By Michael Nerantzis
Despite a surprisingly close 35-19 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in the sixth week of the NFL season, the Denver Broncos and their All-World quarterback Peyton Manning are deeply entrenched as the team to beat this year. Chiefs fans… I hear you back there…. I know you’re 6-0 but sorry, I’m still not sold. Peyton Manning is on pace to throw an NFL record 59 touchdowns and rack up 5,811 passing yards by the end of the regular season. However, it isn’t just the air attack that makes the Broncos so dangerous – running back Knowshon Moreno leads the league with seven rushing touchdowns, and the defense is ninth in the league in sacks even with Von Miller being suspended for the first six games.
This week beholds the game that we NFL fans have been waiting for since the day Manning left the Colts on March 8, 2012; Manning will make his return to Indianapolis, where he struck fear in the hearts of opposing defenses for 14 years. During this time, Manning won eight division titles, two AFC championships, and a Super Bowl with the help of his superstar supporting cast of Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark and Edgerrin James. This is such a satisfying blast from the past, isn’t it? After four neck surgeries, Peyton was forced to sit out the 2011 season for rehab, and the Colts slumped to a 2-14 record. With the number one pick in the 2012 draft, the Colts decided to draft the once-in-a-generation prospect Andrew Luck out of Stanford, prompting them to release Manning.
I’m getting chills just thinking about the amazing Peyton Manning moments I remember watching on TV as a kid. There was the 2007 AFC Championship game where he led the Colts to a last minute win after a 21-3 halftime deficit and set the all-time record for touchdown passes to a single receiver (Marvin Harrison). The emotion for this game will be at record levels not only for Manning but also the Colts fans. I expect nothing less than a several minute standing ovation for the quarterback who brought these classy fans so many cherished memories.
Picks
Redskins vs. Bears
Dallas @ Philadelphia
Baltimore @ Pittsburgh
Denver @ Indianapolis
Minnesota @ NYG
