What does normal look like in the world of NFL football? It looks like fans of teams that win opening round games against the hottest young quarterback in the world, accepting the win for its value and not parsing it into the meaning of life. This is only football people, and WE Bronco fans won the game. In last years horse race, the Colt won by a nose. This season, the Bronco exacted revenge, but this rivalry is destined to produce a tight horse race every time, despite the lofty expectations created by so many off season free agent acquisitions in Denver.
In the end, the regular old drafted rookie that doesn't cost so many millions like a free agent, was the player who saved the day. In hindsight, rookie cornerback Bradley Roby was the key player in more ways than one final stop. Not only did Roby knock down a key fourth down pass intended for future Hall of Fame receiver Reggie Wayne, he made a third down, goal line, one on one tackle that lead to a fourth down, goal line stop as well. With vaunted cornerback Chris Harris Jr. operating on limited minutes as he returns to action from off season surgery, back up Tony Carter seemed ill-equipped to step up to the challenge of the large Colt receivers (Carter had just given up a touch down to the Colts on the previous series). The fact that the rookie Roby was placed one on one with Wayne in the first place is as impressive as the play he made against him.
Let ESPN's Sportscenter tell the story, Manning was the same stellar performer last night that lit up the stat sheets and the highlight reel most of last season. He certainly had his fair share of moments, but none were saved until the waning minutes of a this very close game. When the game was on the line, Andrew Luck, not Manning, made the more spectacular plays. For an athlete who's career has been defined by regular season greatness and post season meltdowns, late game departures should add to the negative knock against Manning. It feels like national journalist' often pre-write their expectation of an outcome and slightly deviate the transcript if game results demand. Since Denver held on for the victory that most anticipated, and Bradley Roby was not the expected hero in the pre-write, he becomes an added footnote in a story that deserves a deeper look beneath the surface.
These Broncos are better than last years Broncos, but not a whole lot better (yet). They have better talent but not better chemistry (yet). Creating chemistry is challenging for sure, because finding that proper chemical mix for maximum impact takes trial and error. In the first trial of the season, there were plenty of errors to point out. The Denver Broncos still do not insist on ball control when the quality of opposing quarterback clearly calls for time of possession versus speed of scoring connections. Was that part of the game plan or did the Colts force Denver to look just like they did the past two seasons?
Laser sharp passers will always be able to rise above imperfect offensive execution, but they can not change the primordial rules of football. Passing is predictably risky, so running the ball and great defense is the only reliable route to a championship. Running the ball and demanding yards against a defense that is committed to stopping the run is offensive domination. Passing your way up the field provides a lot of fanfare and hype, but, even when succesful, gives the ball back to the opponent way too quickly to be an effective approach against the best of quarterbacks.
Like Andrew Luck, for example.
It may not be this season, and probably not even next, but Luck will be called the best of them all one day. Whether that extends itself into the realm of all time greatness or just the greatest of this era is the story football fans are watching unfold before our eyes. During last nights game, the Bronco's best hits on Luck never made me wince in pain like I do every time Peyton takes another whack from the defense. Andrew Luck is the closest marriage I can imagine between the quarterback that we have now, and the one who wrote the Bronco legend, John Elway. He has the best physical and mental attributes of each of these great players and is destined to share in championship revelry along with the great QB's of NFL history.
Will Luck's championship journey begin this season?
In my eyes, the Broncos just played against the team that they will be forced to overcome in order to return to the big dance. Luck is a legend in the making, and ironically, Manning may need to ride the back of his old team and its new leading Colt to secure his own legendary QB status. What better way for Peyton to ride into the sunset than getting the best of a story book rivalry between the former Colt turned Bronco, and the Colt's new thoroughbred who is already sticking his nose into the race of all-time great quarterbacks?
Last nights game was another chapter in the lore of Luck .vs. Manning mania; players inextricably linked by their equestrian lineage, their quarterbacking journey's, and the race to be the greatest stallion of all-time. The Bronco's victory insured that we would not have a triple crown winner and added Manning to a list, along side Brett Favre, of quarterbacks who have beaten every team in the league. To Manning, that is only an accomplishment that speaks to how old you are, not how great. Yet, getting this victory was a lot bigger than simply growing old.Minus a couple significant plays from Roby, Luck might have kept his triple crown hopes alive since the two teams will likely see each other in the playoffs this year. Now, Luck must look forward to that playoff game for a chance at redemption. This Bronco fan is not excited about being the team that has to keep Luck from happening because it seems clear to me that he will be the last man standing.
The consistent end game heroics of Luck make his prospects much more than luck.
This is fate.
POSTSCRIPT; NO SHOWS = Vonn Miller, Derek Wolfe and the promised quarterback pressure that all of those expensive free agents were supposed to provide.
Demarcus Ware did show his immense talent, but seemed alone except for a few coordinated blitzes that brought linebacker pressure.
Congratulations to the much maligned Raheem Moore who set a goal to lead the NFL in interceptions and got two to start the year.
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