Alstein
1601
Panthers losing Thomas Davis for the SB is huge though. AJ Klein is a very good backup but Davis was a Pro Bowler and the heart of that defense.
CraigM
1602
If that was supposed to excite me in ways I am not entirely comfortable talking about, it did.
The Panthers are the epitome of a team which seems to be peaking at the right time; they look absolutely unstoppable now. As a Bronco’s hater I can only hope that the 2 week break until the Superbowl doesn’t take them off the boil. Denver’s D can only hope to contain them right now and I have no faith in Manning.
The Panthers did look good (and make the Cardinals look poor), but hardly ‘peaking at the right time’. That would be more like the 2011 NY Giants (9-7). Carolina has been dominant all year.
It was really amusing seeing all the Raiders and Chiefs fans in the Reddit game thread cheering for the Broncos. The Patriots really know how to bring a division together.
Yeah, but they were cruising after a while. Then the unexpected loss to Atl. Then they ramped it up again until they coasted second half against Seahawks. I don’t think they’ll happen again; it’ll be peak efficiency now.
New data. Most since 2006. Any other QB and they’d be dead. Romo broke a collar bone just watching.
CraigM
1608
Jay Cutler and Mathew Stafford have already called him with home remedies for dealing with the injuries from a protracted siege.
Be interesting to see what the Pats do in the off season. Looks like they need o-line help and maybe a new WR. Edelman and Amendola are sort of the same guy. Neither one is really a deep threat or a guy who is going to win a lot of 50-50 balls. Brady will also be 39 and while I know he has some crazy shelf-extending regimen he does, he’s getting up there in age.
I expect the Panthers to win, but I can see a good defensive effort by Denver perhaps tipping the game their way. Newton threw a ball or two that could have been picked yesterday. Manning is limited now, but he can still throw the short and intermediate passes pretty well. They will need a better effort from their run game, though.
The Patriots could maybe use a new running back too. Late in the 4th they kept throwing it to White with the mismatch on the edge but he couldn’t come up with it. Then they said to hell with it and passed to Gronkowski in double coverage.
Brady looks like he has a couple more seasons left. Manning looks like he’s ready for a wheelchair. He will surely retire after this season, right??
RickH
1611
Nice call. Looked like Arizona left its game back in the Green Bay overtime.
I’d think this is it for Manning. He doesn’t have feelings in his fingertips, from what I’ve read. That neck injury really did a number on him. Also, the Broncos need to sign Osweiler if they think he can be the guy, and since they are drafting 30 or 31 this year, there probably won’t be a top QB prospect available. Signing Osweiler likely means they have to cut Manning, who is owed a lot of money next year.
So yeah, Manning is probably gone unless he really wants to play another year and the Broncos believe enough in him to prefer him over Osweiler. Neither seems likely.
I think Brady can play a couple more years. His arm still looks good and mobility has never been his game anyway.
Timex
1613
It’d be nice to see Manning get another Superbowl ring, and retire on top.
Yeah, that’s pretty much how I feel. Might be his last shot, and I’m betting we’ll see Newton and his team back at least once more.
Zuwadza
1615
I think Brady could very easily drop off next season. Old QBs drop off very suddenly and very steeply, sometimes after great seasons.
CraigM
1616
Case in point: Manning. Last year he was still one of the 5 best QBs in the league.
This year…
Timex
1617
This year he’s in the Superbowl.
CraigM
1618
Oh, sure, but not because he got them there.
I’m a big fan of Manning. I’d argue he’s the best QB to ever play the game, but even I’ll admit he’s fallen off a ton this year.
Because of their best in the league defense.
Roethlisberger laughs at taking the most hits in one game since 2006. Try taking the most hits of any starting QB cumulatively since 2006 and still being one of the game’s best.
