Must be a Stud No. 1 – Peyton Manning

Everything begins and ends with Peyton Manning. He’s finally healthy from the torn plantar fascia that hindered his performance during the early part of the season. He’s had a full season with Gary Kubiak to learn what works and what doesn’t in this offense. He knows the weaknesses of the offensive line and that he can no longer force throws or make hasty decisions like he did when the line was considered a “work in progress.”

The line is still the biggest weakness on this team and Manning has to overcome that somehow, some way. In the basest of terms, there are simply no more excuses for the veteran quarterback who is still tied with Brett Favre for all-time wins as a starting quarterback.

Chided as a perennial playoff underachiever, Manning now finds himself in the position of being a regular season underachiever as well. Despite Denver’s 7-2 record with him as the starter this year, Manning has thrown more interceptions than touchdowns for the first time since his rookie season and at a nearly 2:1 clip. While he is the starting quarterback for the AFC’s top seed, his 67.9 passer rating is the worst of his career and below players like Jimmy Clausen and Matt Cassel. In years past it was often said Manning’s teams won because of him; this year it could be argued the Broncos have won often in spite of him.

If he truly wants to be remembered as one of the best quarterbacks ever and not just the best “regular season” quarterback, Manning has to win it all. And he certainly can’t be the cause of his team’s undoing.

He can’t try to rescue the team with his arm or trust his initial read at the line of scrimmage. Those kinds of decisions will lead to more of the same that we saw this season – interceptions, not touchdowns. He has to trust his running backs, go through his progressions and have faith that his body will hold up even if his line breaks down.

Manning doesn’t have to do it all. He’s got a solid pair of running backs in C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman. He’s got a dynamic wide receiver duo in Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. And he has hands-down the best defense he’s ever had in his entire career on the other side of the ball.

Last year Russell Wilson was one questionable play call away from winning his second consecutive Super Bowl. His final line would have been 12-of-20 for 247 yards and two touchdowns. His opponent’s line read 37-of-50 for 328 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions.

Manning doesn’t have to do it all. But he does have to win it all to secure his legacy and deliver Denver’s third Lombardi Trophy. This year, the best way for Manning to be a stud may be to not try to be one at all.