The Sublime and Shortfall of Peyton Manning

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The Denver Broncos are one of the favorites, among ESPN writers, to win the big prize on February 2nd 2014. After last night's drubbing of the defending champion Baltimore Ravens, the Broncos are clearly on their way.

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Peyton Manning was 27/42 passing against the Ravens, with a passer rating of 141.1. What a way to inaugurate the new NFL season, with the future Hall of Famer on national TV, playing so sublime with his 7-TD aerial show.

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The thing is, Manning has always played a stellar regular season.  Note his career record:  154 - 70 (.688) and 95.7 passer rating. But the question is, How well does he show up in the post-season?  To wit, his career playoff record:  9 - 11 (.450) and 86.2 passer rating.  Positively mediocre, for a superstar and inveterate competitor.  

Clearly something happens (or doesn't happen) for him and his team (Colts, previously), and except for one Super Bowl against our Chicago Bears in 2007, he has repeatedly fallen short of the big prize.  He was none too pleased to talk about the last heartbreak earlier this year, when interviewed a few days ago - Testy Peyton Manning won't talk about playoff loss.

Thank you for reading, and let me know what you think!

Ron Villejo, PhD