While everyone throughout Denver has been thanking the defense for Sunday’s performance in the AFC Championship Game, some praise does in fact have to go to Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning. Manning made 17 completions on 32 attempts for a total of 176 yards. He threw for two touchdowns and zero interceptions, a perfect game in the eyes of some. And it he did all in the role of underdog for what seems like the first time in his life.
On Monday afternoon, Gil Whiteley welcomed Mark Cooper, a former Denver Bronco who started for the Broncos in the 1987 Super Bowl. Alongside Gil and Mark, David Ramsey of The Gazette in Colorado Springs, joined in on the discussion recapping of Sunday’s Championship game.
The stage had been set all week. Manning vs. Brady XVII. “I don’t know how many times in NFL history, you will get the chance to see two of the top five quarterbacks ever to play the game go at it for the chance for the chance to go to the Super Bowl,” Ramsey said. However, only one quarterback decided to show up yesterday. Manning threw his two touchdowns early, while Brady continued to just get sacked and hurried throw after throw.
To think that just three and a half weeks ago, Manning was sitting on the sidelines watching backup quarterback,Brock Osweiler take control of his team. “Every store in Colorado was selling Peyton Manning jerseys [at a discount] for $18, because it had an 18 on it. Brock jersey’s were going like crazy [at full price] off the shelves,” Gil said after mentioning that three and a half weeks ago even he thought Manning would never play again.
But flash forward to this past weekend, Manning is the starting quarterback and the stadium is filled with Manning jerseys as well as posters with Manning’s name and number on them. “Everybody loves Peyton. Everybody from six years old to 106 loves Peyton Manning,” Ramsey says.
The comeback Manning has made over the past few weeks is why so many people love him and root for him. “People love rooting for the underdog,” Cooper said.
Manning and the Broncos entered their AFC Championship tilt with New England as 3.5-point underdogs, if not more by some books; they’re already being listed as four-point underdogs to the Panthers.
A Super Bowl win would be the perfect ending for Manning’s career; there’s no debating that. Manning as an underdog? It’s an unlikely script to imagine, considering two years ago he was leading the league’s greatest offense ever, but it’s one that writers, radio hosts, fans and even former Broncos are excited to embrace.
For the full discussion between Gil Whiteley, Mark Cooper and David Ramsey, listen to the podcast below…
https://soundcloud.com/milehighsports/01-25-16-david-ramsey-joins-gil-and-mark-to-recap-and-react-to-the-afc-championship-game
Catch Gil Whiteley weekdays from 11a-1p on Mile High Sports AM 1340 or stream live any time for the best local coverage of what’s new and what’s next in Colorado sports.