fan central: peyton manning as a bronco
2011 Season
Although Peyton was a member of The Colts during the 2011 season, he did not secure playing time during any of the 16 regular-season games due to a neck injury.
Peyton's Neck injury
Peyton sustained his initial neck injury while playing with The Colts in October of 2006 in a game against the Washington Redskins. He suffered two intense hits - first from Andre Carter and then Phillip Daniels. Although his helmet flew off from the hard impacts, the hits were legal and there was no penalty. However, Peyton's neck was wrenched. He took a brief break on the sideline but returned to the game shortly after and did not have many complaints about pain.
However, in 2010 Peyton suffered an additional neck injury that prompted his absence from the 2011 NFL season. He was injured prior to the starting week of the season, and suffered nerve damage to the disc in his neck. The 2010 season was rough on Peyton - he was in a lot of pain and ultimately needed two neck surgeries to correct the problem. |
two Neck Surgeries
The surgeries were non-invasive, attempting to prohibit the damaged disk from causing further nerve damage. It took three attempts for the fusion to be successful. Peyton was cleared by The Colt's neurosurgeon as well as two of the nation's leading neurosurgeons at the time, to play in the NFL following the surgeries. However, Peyton spent the entire 2011 season on the bench.
2012 Season
- Peyton's first season as a Bronco.
- Started all 16 games.
- The Broncos had 13 wins, 3 losses and were AFC West Division Champions.
- The Broncos scored 481 total points this season, but allowed 289 points scored on them.
- Peyton set single-season franchise records in almost all passing categories, including: 400 completions, 37 touch-down passes, a 68.6% overall completion rate and 4,659 passing yards.
- Peyton earned the title of NFL Comeback Player of the Year from the Associated Press.
- Peyton was runner-up for NFL Most Valuable Player award.
- Peyton was selected to play in the 2012 Pro Bowl, making his 12th Pro Bowl appearance.
- Peyton executed his 5000th career pass during the Oakland game (12/6/12).
- Peyton's health was not an issue this season and he did not suffer any major injuries.
A Tragic End to 2012Although Peyton had a successful first-season back to the NFL in Denver, the Broncos hopes for playoffs were tragically dismissed by the Baltimore Ravens. The Broncos ultimately lost 38-35 in double-overtime, as the Ravens capitalized on Bronco errors that were multiplying at an increasing rate towards the end of the game. Although countless players from the team made critical mistakes, Peyton threw three interceptions towards the end of the game.
This is not the first time Denver fans have been devastated with a seemingly-impossible loss during a critical game. Manning took some heat in the press but the upset cannot be blamed entirely on him. Needless to say, the Broncos were disheartened at the end of this game but it fueled their desire to win in the 2013 season. |
"It's very disappointing because of all the work we've put into this season. We had planned on playing next week. Losing by a field goal in overtime is disappointing." -Peyton Manning, December 2012
2013 Season
- Peyton's second season with the Broncos; current NFL season.
- The Broncos have a current record of 10 wins, 2 losses.
- Peyton started the season with 7 touch-down passes and 0 interceptions during the team's opening game against the Baltimore Ravens (9/5/2013).
- Peyton set a personal record and Broncos team record of 86.5% completion rate, in the game against the Oakland Raiders (9/23/2013).
- Head Coach John Fox was temporarily hospitalized at the end of November for heart problems but has since returned to the sidelines.
- Peyton's ankle has been an issue this season, however the Broncos press have stated it is simply "aggravated" and Peyton has been taking it easy or icing the ankle to keep the problem under control.
2013 Superbowl Prediction
Denver fans are ready for a Superbowl win and Peyton is ready to give it to them.
However, there are two main issues with becoming Superbowl Champions this year:
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