Peyton Manning Surging Towards Super Bowl

Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE

Following multiple neck injuries, Peyton Manning’s skeptics were out in full force.  Those cynics have since been silenced as the four-time MVP is back on top again, directing one of the most explosive offenses in the league.

Manning has put together one of the more impressive seasons of his career, completing 68.5 percent of his passes for 1,619 yards and four touchdowns with one interception in the last five games.  In the span, he has accumulated five straight 300+ yard games and surpassed the 30-point mark in three of those contests to improve the Broncos record to 4-3.

Now, the Broncos are the frontrunners for the AFC-West title with little competition around them.  The San Diego Chargers (3-4) are almost offensively incompetent with Philip Rivers struggling to find his range with his receivers.  In fact, they lost a defensive battle against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday in a 7-6 contest.  Likewise, the Oakland Raiders (3-4) aren’t much better.  Running back Darren McFadden is the team’s only bright spot and he still struggles to find 100-yard games on a consistent basis.  Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs are ill-equipped to handle any defense in the league.  One week, it’s quarterback Matt Cassel under the center, the next week the team opts for Brady Quinn, neither of which know how to run an efficient offense.

So how have the Broncos been so successful?

Manning and the Broncos offense have almost exclusively utilized the no-huddle offense in recent weeks and its faired extremely well.  By operating at a quicker pace, it gives Manning full range of his offense, utilizing audibles and breaking down stagnant defenses in the flow of the game.

The Broncos have also utilized different offensive packages to create quick mismatches.  And as we’ve seen over the years, Manning thrives on going to his favorable matchups, making life for defensive coordinates almost unbearable.  In the 34-14 win versus the New Orleans Saints last Sunday, Manning instituted a good balance of run and pass plays that kept the Saints off-balance throughout the game.  Beating a team as tough as New Orleans just goes to show that the Broncos are set for the playoffs with Manning behind center and possible AFC Super Bowl contenders as the season approaches its half way point.