Manning Bowl II - The Hype Has Begun!

by MonkeyBusiness on Nov 26, 2008 8:11 PM EST

From SI.com (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/lee_jenkins/11/26/mannings/index.html?eref=T1)

"Although hype is building mostly for a potential Giants-Jets Super Bowl, a Manning-Manning Super Bowl cannot be ruled out either.

Not only have the Colts won four games in a row, but also they've captured the unofficial title of "team no one in their right mind wants to face in the playoffs." The Colts have little chance of overtaking Tennessee in the AFC South, but at 7-4 they control their own destiny for a wild-card berth, owning tiebreakers over New England and Baltimore. As a wild-card entry, the Colts would almost certainly have to win three road games to get to the Super Bowl, but in the past four weeks they have already won at Pittsburgh, at San Diego and beaten the Patriots at home. The Titans and Jets, nouveau riche in the AFC, have nowhere near the postseason pedigree the Colts do.

The Colts have a history of peaking too early. In 2005, they started 13-0. In '06, they started 9-0. In '07, they started 7-0. But only one of those seasons ended at the Super Bowl. The Colts, by virtue of their torrid starts, were able to relax at the end of the regular season. Once they relaxed, their momentum waned. But this season, without their traditional margin for error, the Colts have proven they can play on an edge. Their four straight victories have come by a combined 16 points, proof that they are not as potent as they used to be, but perhaps more gutty. Against San Diego on Sunday night, the Colts offense practically refused to leave the field, converting an impressive 10 of 17 third downs and two fourth downs."

Now, as much as I'd like to win another Super Bowl, the hype on an all-Manning Super Bowl would completely bury the Pats 19-0 quest last season. You'd be talking about the last two Super Bowl MVPs, who also happen to be brothers.

Jenkins does make a good point though. The Jets and Titans aren't known for their playoff successes. Moreover, the Jets still have to win their division, which isn't assured yet. The Titans have the AFC South locked up, but that doesn't mean that Kerry Collins or Albert Haynesworth couldn't get hurt and set them adrift.

I'll tell you what though; whoever gets that 5th AFC seed is going to be greatful for a trip to Denver instead of New York or Pittsburgh.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors.

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The only bad thing about winning the SB is

We could lose alot of coaches through retirement. When the season ends anyway it is hard to face the facts that Tom Moore, Tony Dungy, and Howard Mudd all might retire. It would be a total lose for our coaching staff and our team. Also, rumor has it that Ron Meeks might be seeking a higher coaching job some where else. We can possibly save this season but the next decade of Colts football has me worried.

by colts9318rock on Nov 26, 2008 8:42 PM EST reply actions

Retirement is a natural part of the football process. As hard as it is to believe, someday Manning will retire. So will Wayne, Harrison, Saturday, and the rest of the crew. Dungy will probably retire soon. You just rely on the system that brought them all together in Indianapolis to fill their spots. Although honestly, sometimes change is a good thing. Remember that the Colts have been using a similar system for almost a decade now. Most of our opponents could probably draw our playbook. A new coach and coordinators means that you don’t know what we’re going to do, and that’s not a bad thing.

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by MonkeyBusiness on Nov 26, 2008 10:17 PM EST reply actions

I have been talking about a Manning-Manning superbowl since before the playoffs last year. The hype will undoubtedly take over the free world as we know it. All sports will stop and there will only be the hype. It will look like ESPN is doing the usual and just replaying shows….but no, no they are not. Show after show pitting brother against brother. Who’s the best Manning they will say, over and over and over and over again. “May the best Manning win” will echo through cbs from the lips of shannon sharpe. So many pictures of them side by side. The world is not ready.

by skywalker on Nov 27, 2008 10:14 AM EST reply actions