By the time he is finished playing Peyton Manning will hold just about every major passing record in the NFL. Currently he sits second in career passing yards and touchdowns, two statistics he should eventually own. This year he obliterated most of the league’s single season passing records. He is about to be named the year’s Most Valuable Player, an award he already has received four times. There is little question he will someday be elected to the Hall of Fame, most likely on the first ballot.
Peyton’s place in NFL history is legendary. He has proven to be the most intelligent and most accurate passers to have ever played the game. He has an incredible pocket presence which allows him to feel pressure and adjust. He has an ability to look off defenders and releases the ball so quickly it is difficult for most secondary’s to adapt. Throughout his career he has put up unprecedented statistical numbers which may never be duplicated.
At present he is coming off what was unquestionably the greatest single season any quarterback has ever put together. And after soundly defeating his longtime nemesis, Tom Brady, in the AFL Championship game it would seem obvious that Peyton’s legacy as the greatest of all time was secure. But unless Peyton comes out on top and wins Super Bowl XLVIII a major blot will remain on his resume. Peyton could not win the big game. And unfair as that may seem it could be true.
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Before this season Peyton’s record in playoff games was 9 – 11. In his twelve previous trips to the playoff he has won the Championship only one time. On eight occasions he was eliminate after the first playoff game.
Another knock against him has been that he plays poorly in cold weather. A look at how Peyton has performed in cold temperatures between 30 and 40 degrees, what is expected for Sunday’s Super Bowl game, reveals that he is 8 – 6 with a 87.7 passer rating. When the temperature drops below 30 degrees, as it may on Sunday, Peyton’s won/loss record falls to 2 – 5 and his passer rating drops to 76.7. Peyton’s lifetime passer rating is 97.2.
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So what does all this mean? Win or lose on Sunday, Peyton’s place in NFL lore should be secure. A win however would decisively stamp him as the greatest to ever play the game. He would have all the records plus a second Super Bowl Crown. But fair or unfair as it may be, if he loses …
