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Broncos Prove They Don’t Need Manning’s Best

By Ian St. Clair

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Dec 7, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) prepares to pass in the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Holy cow, Peyton Manning is terrible.

The Denver Broncos quarterback has lost his touch. He’s lost it. He has nothing left. He’s old.

The Broncos might as well put in back-up Brock Osweiler.

What is wrong with Manning? You’re going to say nothing is wrong with him when Denver calls a run play on third-and-16?

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Manning once again threw for under 200 yards, had no touchdowns for the first time in 51 games and had two interceptions to boot.

It’s nothing but dink-and-dunk. No deep passes. No killer instinct.

Yet despite all of that, the Broncos still beat the Buffalo Bills 24-17. They still improved to 10-3. Depending on what happens with the New England Patriots and San Diego Chargers, Denver can take the No. 1 seed.

The counter to that nonsense is this team no longer needs Manning to win.

The Broncos defense and the running game won this game. As it did against the Kansas City Chiefs. As it did against the Miami Dolphins. As it will the rest of the season and in the playoffs.

You mean to tell me Denver can still win when Manning is far from his best? What?

Dec 7, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson (22) carries the football in the second quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Yes, that is now the case. And had the Broncos defense not cashed in up 24-3, it wouldn’t have been as close on the scoreboard. The running game finished with 133 yards and three touchdowns from C.J. Anderson. The defense was awesome until the middle of the fourth quarter when it gave up garbage yards and points.

That’s the biggest concern for this team. When Denver gets up on people, it gives up. The play calling on both sides of the ball turns into “prevent” mode.

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    • Imagine all of those people saying all of those things stated earlier about Manning. Now think about what happens when he gets back on track.

    For three games now, Denver has not had Julius Thomas. Could that not be part of Manning’s and the passing game’s struggles?

    Demaryius Thomas was held to two catches. Could his ankle injury have been part of the problem?

    This isn’t gymnastics. It’s not figure skating. All that counts is wins. You get no style points for those wins. And if you look at the Broncos’ record, they have 10 of them.

    Some will say, “They have to play better next week.” This is a week-to-week league. It’s a division rival. But, how can you do better than a win?

    Let’s hold off that Manning talk until JT comes back and DT isn’t hobbled by an ankle injury.

    It bears repeating: Denver still won despite Manning not playing his best. Actually, far from it.

    Is that not reason enough to feel good about a win?

    Dec 7, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos defensive end Malik Jackson (97) reacts after making a sack in the second quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

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