#18 has famously struggled in the NFL's postseason tournament... Many, many times. He's lost, and lost big. NFL fans are all too familiar with the storyline that consists of Manning winning his division, earning a wildcard bye, and then falling flat on his face in the divisional round. 'One and done' must be the three most hated words in the Manning household. And make no mistake, this has a HUGE influence on his legacy.
So lets examine how winning (or losing ) one week from today in #SB50 can and will change how Peyton rides off into the sunset and how he is remembered.
First of all, we need to make some comparisons. Tom Brady is obviously the player who #18 will be measured against. In our all or nothing society it boils down to Super Bowl rings. Right now there is no comparison. Tom terrific has 4, Peyton has 1. Even though Brady has had the luxury of playing for Belichick his entire career, 4 to 1 is just too lopsided. It erases all of the other discussion and debate. BUT... what if Peyton wins next week? Now he's 2-2 in the big game. That sparks some discussion.
The most important part of the discussion would be who the Broncos beat in Super Bowl 50. The Panthers are the best team to show up in the Super Bowl in a very long time. Even if the win is mostly due to the Broncos dominate defense, Peyton will have a SB victory on his resume over the most well rounded team to emerge since the Cowboys of the early 90's. They have dominate run game led by maybe the best O-line in the NFL, they have a defense that is crawling with pro-bowlers and they also have the most dynamic QB we have ever seen behind center. AND, many of their key players are young. That's why I compare them to the Boys' from the Jimmy Johnson era.
I focus so much on Peyton's opponent this week because of his history in the Super Bowl. Starting with his most recent appearance, he faced a great young squad that not only destroyed the whole Broncos team, but specifically ate Peyton's lunch. From the first offensive play Peyton shrunk as opposed to rising to the occasion. It was all Seahawks, all day. This single game has done major damage to Peyton's legacy.
Previous to that was Super Bowl XLIV vs. the Saints. Peyton threw the game losing pick 6. The play was reminiscent of Brett Favre, who threw away countless post season games with rookie-like decisions. Very damaging to his legacy as well. Maybe the worst single play in his spotted post season resume.
Back up to 2006 and Super Bowl XLI. Peytons only victory in the big game. Without this win, Peyton is simply another Warren Moon or Dan Marino. He's not even in the discussion with Brady and Montana. But, he did get a ring and show he could reach the mountain top. There is one thing that must be considered however. He beat one of the worst teams to ever make it to the Super Bowl. If you had to list the 3 worst teams to ever stumble into the big game the 2006 Bears are definitely on that list, maybe #1. Their most valuable player was a kick returner. Rex Grossman was their QB. I'd say Trent Dilfer and Brad Johnson were worse overall QB's when discussing the bottom 3 QB's to ever play in a Super Bowl, but their teams won (in spite of them). So you could make an argument that Grossman is the worst QB to ever play on super Sunday, and that fact does soil Peyton's accomplishment a bit.
If Peyton is to be remembered as the greatest of all time, he can't lose this coming Sunday. It's that simple. Win or lose he's a first ballot HOF'er, his statistical records will stand for many years, he will probably move on to a huge TV career, and he will be a legend. But we aren't talking about being remembered as great. We are talking about the possibility of being known as the GOAT... greatest of all time.
Brady and Montana will always have their genius coaches casting a shadow over their legacies. But if Peyton wins, the discussion will go to the only QB to lead his team to the big game 4 times with 4 different coaches. The only guy to win the Lombardi with 2 different franchises. The oldest QB to ever win the big one, and most importantly, one of only a handful of legends to end his career with a SB win. Then the discussion continues on to his regular season accomplishments... and now he's a once in a life-time player. The GOAT.
If he loses, I see no way Denver brings him back in 2016. So he can go the Favre route and become a journeyman/ vagabond walking around with hat-in-hand desperately trying to continue playing. Or, the more likely option is that he retires. Finishing his career 1-3 in the big game, accompanied with a losing record in the post season.... including going 'one and done' a record 8 times.
All of this pushes him from #1 on that list of all time greats down to the to the Moon, Marino, Favre neighborhood. Now that's a pretty ritzy neighborhood... but it's not the same zip code as Brady and Montana. One game will decide how a 19 year career is remembered. All or nothing, exactly the way the NFL intended it to be.
As for me, I grew up in the 80's watching #16 in San Francisco. He will always be my hero. But one thing I can say about Peyton is that I realize now when I see NFL Films footage of him in that white & blue uniform, throwing the ball with more grace than any QB to ever play the game I've been a witness to greatness since Manning's rookie year. And for that, I'm grateful.
This Sunday I am excited to see a living legend take one last shot at the Lombardi.
-Jay Wagner
