The Best Way to define Peyton's Career is by Appreciating It

After the Colts beat the Broncos on Sunday we witnessed another disappointing end to another great season for Peyton Manning. Manning finished another masterful season but many questioned if he had an injury when his numbers dipped in December. In December Manning threw just three touchdowns and six interceptions. In the Broncos playoff loss he missed with a ton of overthrows and had just one touchdown pass. We later learned that Manning had been playing with a torn quad. However many people still believe that Manning will not return next season. Personally I think he will be the Quarterback for the Broncos. I don't think he is finished but perhaps that me just being a fan. Manning has clearly has had his ups and downs and his playoff struggled. However Manning's career should be defined more by his success rather than his failures. Manning has had remarkable runs with both the Colts and the Broncos. Manning will always be a hero in Indianapolis and still wants another title regardless of where he plays. Manning is the single season passing touchdown leader and the all time touchdown leader.

     Peyton Manning was and always will be an Indianapolis Colt even though he is no longer there. 

Manning was the first pick of the 1998 draft. Manning played his College career with Tennessee a rival school of his dad Archie Manning's Ole Miss. Manning struggled his first year but we learned quickly he would become one of the all time greats. Manning had some monster seasons in Indianapolis. In just his second year he passed for 4,000 yards for the first time and in his third year he would throw for 30 touchdowns for the first time. In 2004 Peyton Manning broke the all time single season touchdown record held by Dan Marino at 48. During his career we would see how smart Peyton Manning was. We would see the way he was able to control a line of scrimmage and basically run his own offense. Manning has had remarkable seasons for both the Colts and Broncos. 

February 4th 2007 

Peyton Manning had never been to a Super Bowl up to this point. Manning had some great seasons in his career but was yet to show any playoff dominance. Manning led the Colts past the Patriots in the playoffs and would take on the Bears in the Super Bowl. It was raining and wet but that did not stop Peyton Manning. Manning was named Super Bowl MVP. It was his first and only title up to this 

point. 

2011 and 2012

Peyton Manning would undergo neck surgery and miss the entire 2011 season. Without Manning the 

Colts went 2-14 and would receive the first pick in the upcoming draft. In an emotional press 

conference Manning and the Colts parted ways. Manning would sign a contract with the Denver 

Broncos in 2012 and begin a new chapter in his career. Manning would comeback after neck surgeries and throw 37 touchdowns. 

2013 

Peyton Manning would have a legendary season in 2013. Manning would break the Tom Brady touchdown record of 50 touchdowns. Manning would throw 55 and he would also break the passing yards record. He passed for 5,477. Manning also beat Tom Brady in the AFC championship game. Manning had the best single season in NFL history.

The Let Downs 

Peyton Manning has been one and done in the playoffs nine times. The most ever. Manning has also  lost two Super Bowls. Manning and the Colts lost to the Saints when Peyton Manning threw a iconic interception to Tracey Porter for a pick six. In last years Super Bowl Manning was decimated by the Seattle Seahawks. Manning and the Broncos scored just 8 points and the Seahawks scored over 40. Then this year the Broncos lost to the Colts in their first playoff game. Manning played poor in the final month of the season and some speculate if the Manning error is officially over despite another great season. Some people rather define Manning's career by some of his disappointing loses rather 

than great wins. 

The Rivalries 

Peyton Manning and his brother Eli Manning have as great a relationship as brothers can have however people will still always compare the two future Hall of Famers careers. Peyton has always been regarded as the much better Quarterback however Eli has had much more playoff success as he is 2-0 in the Super Bowl and Peyton is 1-2. Head to head Peyton has defeated his brother every time. 

Perhaps the greatest rivalry however is the one between Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. 

Tom Brady holds the edge as he is 11-5 against Peyton Manning led teams. However in last years AFC championship Manning's Broncos bested Brady's Patriots. However Manning's best game against Brady happened in the AFC Championship. On January 21st , 2007 , Manning led the Colts from an 18 point deficit. The Colts won the game and eventually Manning would win his first Super Bowl. In 2009 Peyton Manning led a comeback down by 17 points to win another classic game 35-34. Manning hit Reggie Wayne on a one yard score. There match ups have been the most anticipated 

in the sport. 

The Record

Peyton Manning became the all time passing touchdown leader during the regular season in October in a rout of the 49ers. Manning broke Brett Favre's record and will go down as one of the best Quarterbacks of all time. Statistically no one compares to Manning.  

The Legacy 

Peyton Manning will go down as one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game of football. Manning will have his fair share of haters who will say he only won one Super Bowl, however there is so much more to the career of Manning. Manning was a field general and almost like having an offensive coordinator at the Quarterback position. There will always be mixed reviews and critics and fans of Peyton. One thing that can be disputed is that Manning has had a great impact on this game. To me Manning is one of the best ever and will be greatly missed when he calls it a career. I think Manning will be back next year but understand if he does not come back. Manning has nothing to prove despite what some say. The only thing I can say is , if we have see the last of Peyton Manning on the field thank you. Peyton won the Super Bowl in the 2007 season. It is one of the first Super Bowls I remember as I was only about ten years old at the time. Manning is a big part of why I love 

football despite being a Giants fan. I don't know football without him. I bet a lot of kids and young men would echo. Manning has done it right and been a true professional. If Manning comes back next year embrace it. Enjoy it and watch him. Watch a legend take as many snaps as he has left. Take in his presence , poise and passion on the field. Watch him go through the motions , watch him play if he comes back , whether it's one year , two or more. It's all speculation at this point but the fact of the matter is nothing lasts forever and sooner rather than later Manning will walk away. So if you get the privilege to watch number 18 walk out of the tunnel carve up a defense and continue to build on his hall of fame numbers enjoy it because there is only one Peyton Manning. He wasn't a perfect player nobody is , however he is near perfect to watch. 

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By Peter Vitella 

@Realpete13