Pressure on Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning is the most beloved Colt to ever play the game. Last year he was cut by the Colts for a much younger quarterback in Andrew Luck. Sunday night Peyton will return to his old stadium where he once reigned as Captain of the Colts but this time as the enemy.

Many people are writing that this is a battle between quarterbacks but is it? Do Manning and Luck actually vs each other? No, is the simple answer. It is Manning vs the Colts defense and Luck vs the Broncos defense. Currently, the Broncos have the 32nd ranked passing defense and 1st ranked rushing defense. On the other hand, you have the Colts with the 5th ranked passing defense and 29th ranked rushing defense.

If you ask most people this will be a shootout but I believe it will be on one side of the field. Andrew Luck will have a field day with the Broncos defense who have already given up 2,026 passing yards this year. Andrew Luck is no stranger to pressure situations and is ready for this situation. If you ask him, he would probably tell you that this is what he has been waiting for.

Photo taken by Jeffrey Beall

On the other hand, you have Peyton Manning. Yes, Manning is arguably one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game. He is also known for breaking under pressure. He made the playoffs 11 times, has been eliminates 7 times in the first round, and only has one Superbowl. This is not good for the Broncos because all of the pressure is on Peyton to win this game. Do not look for Manning to make record numbers but more of an average performance Sunday.

All in all, I have this game going to the Broncos.  This game will be won by the Broncos with the running and short passing game to Knowshon Moreno. This is a much needed game for Manning to help him overcome pressure moments but they shouldn't undefeated this year. If they go undefeated in the regular season, look for them to lose in the playoffs.