Can Broncos QB Peyton Manning Win in the Cold?

Dec 1, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) throws a pass during the second half of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Denver won 35-28. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

After last season’s debacle against the Baltimore Ravens in the playoffs, as well as Peyton Manning’s struggles against the New England Patriots a couple of weeks ago, questions have again been raised about the Broncos’ signal caller’s ability to play football in the cold.

The code was cracked by someone at ESPN that Manning is 3-7 in games played in a temperature of 32 degrees or colder, and he’s thrown 11 touchdowns compared to 12 interceptions while completing less than 60 percent of his passes in such games.

In other words, in 10 career games with freezing temperatures, Manning has been human.

The article’s headline poses the question, “Can Peyton Manning win in the cold?” and the answer is YES. Manning has won three games from that ridiculous stat I just quoted you, which Titans coach Mike Munchak, who pretty much summed it up perfectly.

“Those are people who have a lot of time on their hands that go back and figure those things out,” said Munchak. “He’s a great football player, I don’t think we’ll be caught up worrying about that just because it’s a certain amount of degrees he may not play well … He’s special to watch and we know first-hand from seeing this offense what he can do on a football field, no matter what the weather is.” (h/t to ESPN for the quote)

There are a lot of factors that play into this regardless of whether or not the game is cold, and of course no quarterback or football player in general probably LIKES playing in cold weather, but it’s part of the game.

Speaking of, why is the Super Bowl in New York again? Play the game in a dome every year, where the elements aren’t a factor for anyone. Just my opinion.

Either way, it’s ridiculous to think that Peyton Manning can’t play in cold weather games. He’s obviously struggled in freezing temperatures or below, but what about 35 degrees or lower? 36? 40? Those numbers can be skewed to look however some author or Manning/Broncos detractor wants them to look.

The point is, Manning is 3-7 in such games, which means he’s not completely useless (hint, sarcasm). Does Manning himself think he’s a different player in the cold?

“I don’t.”

That’s all you need to hear.