I’ve never been a Peyton Manning fan. The Gators under Steve Spurrier beat him all the time, and I got the impression he was overhyped. In the pros, Manning usually lost the biggest games, though he did manage to beat my Bears (with Gator Rex Grossman) in the Super Bowl. Then the Broncos signed Manning and traded Tim Tebow, the greatest Gator, who had just led Denver to the playoffs.
But I have a confession to make. This year I started to like Manning. At age 37, he’s overcome four–count ’em, four–neck surgeries to lead the Broncos to the Super Bowl. He seems like a regular guy, a good guy, a fanatical worker, and I’ve decided to stop rooting against him.
That said, he faces a tough task today against a premier Seattle defense. The game is a toss-up, and a lot depends on whether Manning has time to throw and whether Seattle can run the ball. So the game will be won or lost, I believe, in the trenches.
The bottom line: I hope Manning plays well, but I expect the Seahawks defense to play just a little bit better. Seattle 26, Denver 23.
