I think that it is clear that had Brock O. or any other competent QB started for the Broncos this last Sunday they would have still won the SB. However I can't believe how shortsighted and critical many people are being. 37 minutes into the game against the Chargers PM replaced BO who had not had a terrible day but could not find a groove for the offense, they had only scored 7 points. In the final 23 minutes of the game with Manning behind center the Broncos scored 20 points and secured the 1 seed. Had they not brought in Manning they would have been the 5 seed and would have been forced to win 3 road playoff games to even make it to the Super Bowl. A few weeks later at home (due to the previous win I mentioned) Peyton Manning put up a 90.1 QB rating including 2 touchdown passes in a 20-18 win over the Patriots. This is not a bad rating by any stretch, add to that his ability to see the field and I feel safe saying that they likely lose this game without him.

The defense was great all year and all through the playoffs as well, they certainly deserve the lions share of the credit for this SB title. However, I have never seen a team win the SB that failed to make it to that game. Without Peyton Manning I would put the odds very high they don't reach that game. It is time to give Manning credit where it is due. He helped this team make it to the SB which means he helped this team win the SB. Congrats to him for winning it twice even though it took him almost 2 decades to have an elite defense helping him out.