Legendary Vol Peyton Manning Goes For Glory
Recently, Peyton Manning helped guide the Denver Broncos to the AFC divisional championship. Shortly after, Manning announced that he will likely return for the 2014 football season, a decision that left much of Vol Nation in sheer joy.
The legendary quarterback and former Tennessee Volunteer is currently in New Jersey, prepping for his third Super Bowl appearance. He and the rest of the Denver Broncos arrived at the team hotel on Sunday afternoon. They were greeted by a throng of reporters and faithful Broncos fans, anxiously awaiting their team’s tilt in MetLife Stadium with the Seattle Seahawks.
In his first two Super Bowls, Manning has a 1-1 record. Both prior appearances were with the Indianapolis Colts organization. In 2007, the Colts defeated the Chicago Bears by a score of 29-17. Manning was the MVP, completing 25 of 38 passes for 247 yards and a touchdown. In 2010, Manning completed 31 of 45 passes for 333 yards and a touchdown, but it was not enough for the Colts to overcome the New Orleans Saints. They lost the game by a score of 31-17.
Peyton Manning is regarded by most as one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever step on the gridiron. Statistically, this football season has been the best of Manning’s career, and the best of any quarterback in NFL history.
He shattered the record for single-season touchdown passes, with 55. Also, his 5,477 passing yards are the most of any player in NFL history. To put this in perspective, Manning averaged 342.3 passing yards, and 3.4 touchdowns per game in the regular season (1.4 more touchdowns than his combined total in previous Super Bowl’s).The Broncos also racked up 606 total points in the regular season, another league record.
While these numbers are astonishing, Manning will have his work cut out for him when his Broncos meet their Super Bowl XLVIII foe. The Seattle Seahawks lead the NFL in scoring defense, total yardage allowed, passing yardage allowed, and turnovers forced. Statistically speaking, the game will truly feature the NFL’s best offense against the NFL’s best defense.
Weather could be a potential factor in the game. Recent snow has accumulated at the venue in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and the forecast projects cold temperatures throughout the coming week. Temperatures for the game are projected to range between 25-35 degrees, with a chance of snow or rain less than 40%. It is expected to be one of the coldest Super Bowls in the history of the game.
As Manning and the Denver Broncos prepare to play in the big game, many Tennesseans prepare to watch. In college, Manning broke nearly every known passing record in school history, and was a runner-up for the Heisman trophy, college football’s most renowned individual award.
As proven by his retired jersey and the street that bears his name, Peyton Manning is one of Tennessee’s favorite heroes. He has had a remarkable season, and after this Sunday, he may have another championship ring to show off.
Super Bowl XLVIII is set for Sunday, February 2, at 6:30 PM (EST) on FOX.
Edited by Will Lomas
Sports Editor, Cody McClure, has been with TNJN since January 2014. He is passionate about SEC football and basketball. To him, there's nothing better in life than game day in Neyland Stadium. Cody covers the SEC for Athlon Sports. Additionally, he co-hosts Rock Solid Sports for WUTK 90.3 FM on Fridays from 7-8 p.m. ET. Cody is also interning at Sports Radio WNML working under Jimmy Hyams. In his spare time, he plays golf, travels the country, and plays guitar, badly. Follow him on Twitter @CodyMcClureCFB.
