So, here is a question for the Super Bowl. All signs appear to indicate that Peyton Manning will be calling it quits after the Super Bowl. Let’s face it: he is running on fumes at this point and has become a “game manager” type of QB vs. a real game changer. We all saw what happened a couple of years ago in the Meadowlands against Seattle and he was coming off a strong year back then.
Let’s suppose this year’s Super Bowl is reasonably close in the 3rd quarter but Manning is really struggling. Does Gary Kubiak give him the hook and bring in the QB of the future in Brock Osweiler? Or does he say that Manning has earned the chance to go out on his terms and maybe there is still some magic left in that arm?
SU says that very few NFL players ride off into the sunset. It just rarely works out that way. Actually, John Elway walked away after a championship (I believe) but the more typical scenario is watching players with diminished skills tail off (Brett Favre, Dan Marino). Peyton says all the right things and is a team guy first. But he has a lot of pride and will want to finish what he started. It may become a moot point if the game is a blowout in Carolina’s favor. We all know many Super Bowls go that way and no one is hotter than Cam Newton and the Panthers. SU says you need to win the game and Kubiak needs to make sure Osweiler is ready to relieve. He can’t worry about the 2nd guessing and it may be that a more mobile, faster and agile QB is needed to give the Broncos a chance.
What say you?
Sports Update Intergalactic 
There is no way Kubiak takes Peyton out of a “close game” (in the 3rd qtr) The harder question is what if it is 17-3 late in the third qtr? At that point, I would think it is possible..
If Peyton has as bad a 1st half like he did against Seattle, it is a possibility to see Brock start the second half but it would have to be an awkward blowout. I’d like the Broncos to have a good game and possibly win, but I’m not confident that they can put up enough points against a good Panthers D to match what their D will allow. This is likely a game to be decided by turnovers and Carolina is taking the ball away at a very high rate right now.
Also, the biggest non story is whether or not he will retire after the season – he is 99.9% gone. He hasn’t lasted a full season in years and there is no way he walks off the field under his own power next year if he even makes it to the field as the starter. If against all odds he decides to return it will be a sad ending to the story.
Cam and the Panthers are destined to win. Has any team had this much fun playing football, especially in these playoffs. I always said that Eli’s brother is a winner during the regular season but for some reason can’t finish in the BIG game. As much as I would like to see Eli’s brother go out as a Super Bowl champ, I think Carolina is unstoppable right now.
If its close in the third, he stays in to finish. If its looking bad by half time, you have to bring in number two. I mean it is the SUPER BOWL! You don’t get there to often and you go to win.
I think there is some magic left in that arm and he goes out a winner. Don’t forget that Denver’s coaches (especially ol’ Wade) have a chip on their shoulder after being they were told they were incompetant by the Texans a few years back. I just want to see a replay of the “Cut that meat!” commercial to go along with the five variations of the “Chicken Parm you taste so good” commercials we will experience during the Super Bowl.