The apprentice will take on the prodigy. The future will battle the past. Is it time to finally pass the torch? For those who didn’t know I was referring quarterbacks Andrew Luck and Peyton Manning. Manning was the face of the Colts franchise from 1998-2011. After suffering a season ending neck injury the Colts released the 5 time NFL MVP prior to the 2012 season. Indy happened to strike for gold landing the number one overall pick landing another once in a generation quarterback. Most teams would be grateful to land one franchise quarterback but owner Jim Irsay just had to add fuel to this fire saying some disrespectful words about his former quarterback. “My goal going into this new era was to have the opportunity to win more than one,” Irsay said.
“We love the excitement of offense, we love the 49 touchdown passes [that Manning threw in 2004] and those sorts of things, but in the end, what we love most is Lombardi trophies.”
You would think Irsay would be thankful for everything Manning brought to the organization but he wasn’t. In fact there are 13 franchises that have never won a Superbowl. Maybe Irsay should have chosen his words carefully, Manning will be very motivated to play today.
WHY THE COLTS WILL WIN
1. New is better than old
If there is one thing that has to concern bronco fans is that Peyton has not looked right over the past few weeks. The ball has not had the same sort of velocity it did earlier in the year. This has also been evident in the play calling. The Denver offense has leaned on half back C.J. Anderson to carry the load. This is the most involved a running back has been in a Manning led offense since Edgerrian James. Trust me Anderson is no comparison to the edge. Adam Gase, the offensive coordinator has done a great job of calling plays and will likely land a head job next year.
While Manning may not look right Andrew Luck has been a superstar. Former Giants head coach Jim Fassel has made the claim that he will go down as the greatest ever! Don’t take this as a joke either as I have often compared Luck to the legendary John Elway. To me this seems like the game that Luck finally surpasses Manning as the better present day quarterback. The “Bad Boys” Pistons did it to the Lakers in 1989. The Pistons then passed the torch to M.J. and the Bulls in 1991 after defeating them the prior year in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Andrew Luck resume is only beginning to build and he seems destined to reach a Superbowl sometime in the near future.
2. Indianapolis had the NFL’s best passing attack
The Colts lead the NFL in passing yards this season (309.5 per game). The Colts passing game is so deadly because there are simply to many targets for a defense to cover. T.Y. Hilton, Reggie Wayne, Dante Moncrief, Coby Fleener, Dwayne Allen, and Hakeem Nicks good luck putting covering all of them at the same time. Pep Hamilton doesn’t run to many trick plays or things to throw a defense off-balance. The Colts dare you to stop the pass because the entire world knows they would rather have Trent Richardson on the sidelines. Speedster T.Y. Hilton is the most concerning threat because of his deep threat ability. Chris Harris will draw the assignment in what could decide the game. Aqib Talib the team’s top corner will take on Reggie Wayne. Denver spent a boatload of cash on their secondary this offseason. Will they be able to shut down the Indy passing game? Maybe contain is a better word, nonetheless Luck will make his plays and put up a lot of points.
WHY THE BRONCOS WILL WIN
1. Manning is a man on a mission
Peyton Manning is a guy who just wants one more ring. Ray Lewis did this as recently as 2012. He simply would not let the Ravens lose no matter the cost. Manning will be looking to do the same going out on top. To do this he will have to beat his former team, something that has to be eating him alive. While Manning does not have the greatest postseason track record (11-12), he is the conversation for greatest ever. Every once in a while those story book ending come true in real life. Manning will be looking to hold off the up and coming Luck at least for one more year.
2. Vonn Miller and Demarcus Ware’s 1-2 Punch
When Peyton Manning was a member of the Colts his defense had a dangerous duo of pass rushers in Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis. Manning and built a new gang in Denver with Miller and Ware. If the Broncos win this game it will because the tag team sack artists are able to punish Andrew Luck. The Broncos will look to force Luck to get rid of the ball early creating mistakes. The key match up will be left tackle Anthony Castanzo’s ability to stonewall Vonn Miller. If Luck has time to throw the pendulum actually swings in Indy’s favor.
WHY YOU WILL REGRET PICKING THE BRONCOS
For those considering betting this game take the underdog and the points. Similar to the Ravens-Pats game either team had a legitimate shot to win and giving up 7 points is too much for either team to give up. My prediction is that the Colts win this game outright. While this may come to a shock to most maybe you should consider the following if you are still leaning on taking Denver. You forgot that the time to pass the torch to Mr. Luck is now. You forgot that Vontae Davis is a shut down corner and will give fits to Deymarius Thomas all game long. You forgot that the Colts have Adam Vinatieri who is the greatest playoff kicker ever. You forgot that the team that spends the most money in the offseason never wins the Superbowl. That team would be Denver. The game will likely be a close high scoring affair. Take the points and go with the over (55).
Prediction 38-31 Colts
