The 43-8 Super Bowl loss to the Seahawks was absolutely demoralizing for Peyton Manning and the Broncos. But as free agency concludes and the 2014 NFL Draft draws nearer, Manning is looking forward to another chance at a championship.
The Broncos arguably had the best free agency in the NFL, adding to an already excellent team. The Broncos added cornerback Aqib Talib, defensive end DeMarcus Ware, safety T.J. Ward, and wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders. Their biggest loss was wide receiver Eric Decker, but Sanders should be a formidable replacement. Sanders has already started to develop some chemistry with Manning, as they recently worked out at Duke University together. Other minor losses, like guard Zane Beadles, will likely be replaced in the draft. Adding three Pro Bowl-caliber players to a team that already made it to the Super Bowl should give Peyton hope for the upcoming season.
The Broncos certainly won’t skate to the Super Bowl, though. The other major contender in the AFC right now is the New England Patriots. The Patriots had a solid free agency themselves. Most notably, they added corners Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner, along with wide receiver Brandon LaFell. With three-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady at the helm, the Patriots can never be counted out. They now also have arguably the best corner back in the game in Revis, who has the ability to lockdown most receivers in the NFL. Last season, the Patriots lost to the Broncos in the AFC Championship Game by a final score of 26-16, without dynamic playmaker Rob Gronkowski. With a healthy Gronkowski and the newly acquired additions, the Patriots will certainly give the Broncos a fight.
The legacy of Peyton Manning will be positive regardless of how he finishes his career. Manning will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. But ending it with one last Super Bowl championship could put Manning in most arguments as the greatest QB of all-time. Without another championship, that argument is extremely difficult. The most popular selection, Joe Montana, won four Super Bowls. Peyton’s contemporary rival, Tom Brady, has already won three Super Bowls. In order to compete against this success, Peyton must secure a second Super Bowl championship.
Anybody that evaluates the contenders for the 2015 Super Bowl acknowledges the Broncos as one of the biggest contenders. So in that way, certainly the Broncos can win the Super Bowl. The opportunity is there, but getting the job done remains a difficult task. Peyton’s 11-12 postseason record certainly doesn’t suggest that another Super Bowl win is likely. Ultimately, the Broncos were completely dominated and Manning played miserably in the last Super Bowl. The Seahawks were simply the better team. But every team has changed because of free agency and the draft will make teams even more different. In the extremely competitive NFC, odds are the Seahawks won’t even reach the Super Bowl again. The Broncos must seize their opportunity in a weaker AFC again and Peyton Manning must deliver in the Super Bowl.
Manning just turned 38, so his time is limited. Capitalizing on this season is critical for his legacy.
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