We’ve covered the pros and cons for each team the Broncos could face, now it’s time to peer into the crystal ball, and objectively try to decipher who will be coming to Denver on Jan. 12.

How the Broncos match up against their three potential division round opponents >>>> 

6 Cincinnati at 3 Houston

To me this goes one of two ways, and both ways fully depend on what version of the Houston Texans shows up. In one instance, Houston gathers itself and pretty well trounces the Bengals. In the other, the Texans continue to underperform and encounter a result very similar to what they experienced against the Minnesota Vikings.

Ultimately, the Texans haven’t looked dominant since the team’s bye week. When the Texans have scored their opponents have too. Looking at the season as a whole suggests the real Texans are much more the team that lost its final two games than the team that looked solidly complete in the first five weeks of the season. If the Bengals’ strong defensive interior can win the trench battle the Texans’ offense will stall. Everything Houston does offensively stems from work along the line of scrimmage. If the Bengals frustrate that balance the whole system starts to crumble.

Prediction: Bengals

5 Indianapolis at 4 Baltimore

The case for the Colts is really simple: They’ve won unexpectedly all season so why stop now. Well, because it’s still difficult to beat the Ravens in Baltimore…especially in January…especially with team leader Ray Lewis announcing earlier this week he would retire at season’s end. Indianapolis’ great run this season kind of feels like it was bookended in Week 17. The Ravens’ defense certainly isn’t what it used to be, but is savvy enough to create some big headaches from Andrew Luck.

I think Baltimore makes it out of this one, but then again, I really didn’t expect the Colts to win 11 games so who knows what can happen.

Prediction: Ravens

These outcomes would also produce a pretty favorable result for the Broncos. The Bengals can’t be taken lightly, but the Broncos know they very likely absorbed Cincinnati’s best shot and still won. The same result should be possible especially with the Broncos having the added rest and preparation advantage. The Ravens have lost a lot of bodies since edging by the New England Patriots early in the season. It’s not realistic to think Baltimore could get past New England again, but the Ravens could at least give the Patriots a game.

In all likelihood, whatever the outcomes of Wild Card weekend, it appears we’re headed for a Brady vs. Manning showdown with a trip to the Super Bowl at stake.

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The last time the Denver Broncos grabbed the top seed in the AFC was the 1998-99 season.  That 14-2 Broncos squad drew the Dan Marino-led Miami Dolphins in the divisional round, beat the stuffing out of them, and then handled the New York Jets in the AFC title game, before beating the Atlanta Falcons in the Super Bowl.

It was a great outcome, especially as it also allowed the Broncos to wipe away the bad one-seed mojo of 1996 which saw a top-seeded Broncos team take one of the franchise’s worst losses in the divisional round.  The Denver Broncos organization knows all too well the top spot in the playoffs can be the blessing it’s intended, or a terrible curse. Like any other “win or go home” tournament, so much of the NFL playoffs is about matchups, and gaining a path of least resistance.

Being a top seed seemingly provides a team with that clearer path to the final round.  Seemingly.  The problem is that in the modern NFL, often the hottest team is one who has battled its way into the tournament and brings with it the momentum, focus, and confidence to keep grinding away.

As the top-seed, the Broncos can’t play the Houston Texans, leaving the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, and Indianapolis Colts as potential opponents.  Any team can win on a given day, and there certainly isn’t such a thing as a guaranteed victory in the NFL playoffs, but here are my cases for and against wanting to see each of the three come to Denver on Jan. 12.

Baltimore Ravens

Pros: The Broncos already beat the Ravens…soundly…in Baltimore. Ray Rice and the Ravens’ running attach was non-existent. The Denver defense kept Joe Flacco flustered throughout the game, and forced him into critical mistakes, one of which basically ended the game just before halftime.

Cons: The Ravens are getting slightly healthier with Ray Lewis expected back for the Wild Card game…though his retirement announcement earlier this week could motivate those around him to “keep winning to prolong Ray’s career.”  Offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell also has some, albeit still not a lot, more experience as the play caller than he did when the team’s met several weeks ago.  While the Broncos kept Rice at bay in the first meeting, he’s too good a player to assume he’d be just as ineffective if he had a second crack at Denver.  The Ravens also have a strong return game on special teams which can be an ultimate weapon in January road games.

Cincinnati Bengals

Pros: Like Baltimore, the Broncos know this team as Denver beat Cincinnati team during the regular season.  The Bengals have only one true offensive weapon in A.J. Green, and second-year quarterback Andy Dalton has played well, but has yet to emerge as an elite prospect.  The Bengals are strong up front, but the secondary didn’t fair well against the Broncos passing game, which by all accounts has gotten even sharper since that meeting.  Also, in the last meeting the Bengals were coming off a bye week which provided them extra time to prepare while this matchup would give Denver the rest and edge.

Cons: Unlike Baltimore, the Bengals gave Denver a game.  Cincinnati has played well against the run all season and has potentially the best interior pass rusher in the league in Geno Atkins.  While the Bengals offense is somewhat one dimensional with the Dalton to Green connection, it’s a dimension that still remains difficult to defend. The Bengals have been solidly good all season, and have the ability to get great if a few supplemental pieces can contribute more regularly.

Indianapolis Colts

Pros: This is the lone AFC playoff team the Broncos didn’t play in 2012.  The Colts are also the paradox team Denver was last season; obtaining a record far better than the team’s negative point differential would suggest.  Quarterback Andrew Luck has been impressive, but has also made the frequent hallmark mistakes of a rookie QB in a true pro-style offense. The Colts’ defense has been good enough when needed as late, but is far from an outfit that appears positioned to frustrate an elite quarterback like Manning.

Cons: Indianapolis could very well be that momentum team.  The Colts have fought all season, winning games they probably shouldn’t have, and uniting with a bona fide “nobody believes in us” cause.  Luck has proven he can find a way to win close games, and the team as a whole seems to find big plays when needed.  It’s difficult to explain exactly how the Colts win games, but they do.  Teams like that are difficult to scheme against.  While the Colts would be getting their first in-person look at Denver, the Broncos would also be getting there’s and there’s something to be said for going with the devil you know.

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With the NFL regular season wrapping up, here are a few thoughts on the individual honors yet to be handed out.

MVP

Barring an incredible performance that allows Adrian Peterson to break Eric Dickerson’s single season rushing record in the final game of the season, I think this one eventually goes to Peyton Manning.

MVP race: Peyton or Adrian? Adrian or Peyton? (courtesy Jeffrey Beall)

Peterson’s season has been breathtaking as he’s compiled a highlight reel of dazzling runs.  Still, barring a record and/or final game performance that lifts the Minnesota Vikings into the playoffs, it seems odd to say the most valuable player in the league was part of a team that missed the playoffs.  Should the Denver Broncos beat the  Kansas City Chiefs, the only other possible contender with a better record would be Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan. Ryan deserves more credit than he gets, but I think you’d be hard pressed to find voters willing to elevate him above Manning.

Comeback Player of the Year

This feels like the consolation prize for whomever doesn’t win MVP (assuming it’s either Manning or Peterson). Then again, both have equally impressive stories. Peterson returned better than ever after ripping his knee apart – an obviously damaging injury for someone who runs for a living. Manning is submitting one of his finest seasons after multiple neck surgeries that required him a rehabilitate a nerve that at one point left him virtually unable to throw a football – an obviously damaging injury for someone who throws a football for a living. It’s really a pick ‘em. Both are incredibly impressive feats, and both deserve commendation.

Defensive Player of the Year

Right now I still think Von Miller is on the outside looking in, but he’s making up ground and could potentially seal the honor with a big performance this Sunday. J.J. Watt is still riding the name recognition wave, and deservedly so.   However, should (read: when) the Texans Houston lose to the Indianapolis Colts, Watt’s case could take a big hit.

J.J. Watt of the Houston Texans is the front-runner for Defensive Player of the Year. (courtesy Jeffrey Beall)

At this point it’s apparent, at least to me, that Aldon Smith’s candidacy should really be a dual honor.  A vote for Aldon Smith is really a vote for Aldon and Justin Smith.  Since Justin Smith left the New England Patriots game with an injury, Aldon (and the rest of the Niners defense) hasn’t looked the same. This isn’t to say Aldon Smith is purely a beneficiary of Justin Smith’s hard work, but it’s probably fair to say his 19.5 sacks total to date drops quite a bit if Justin Smith isn’t on the team.

Right now it’s Watt, but Week 17 could change things.

Executive of the Year

What makes one an, “Executive of the Year?” In the absence of statistics its a difficult honor to quantify.  The two current front-runners have to be John Elway and Ryan Grigson of the Indianapolis Colts, although Bruce Allen of the Washington Redskins deserves an honorable mention, maybe.  Side note: as Mike Shanahan is also executive vice president of football operations it’s hard to say which moves were Shanahan, and which were Allen.

It’s a tough call. Elway’s resume is very different as he took a playoff team and made it legitimately better while Grigson had to essentially rebuild after the Colts blew up the roster.  Grigson had an optimal draft situation, and albeit drafted well, while Elway made his biggest splash in signing arguably the most valued free agent in league history.  Tough call.

I’m inclined to go with Elway though. Peyton Manning had options. Landing him was a combination of Elway effectively mixing both football and financial rationales into an offer too good to pass up.  Again, I have huge respect for what Grigson and the Colts have accomplished this season, but Grigson walked into a home run front office situation.  Most executives in the NFL spend years trying to make due while hoping that elite, franchise quarterback chip falls their way.  Grigson started with the most crucial personnel piece in place while Elway had to close the deal.

Oh, and add an extra degree of style points to Elway’s accomplishment as he managed to smoothly shutdown the biggest sports phenomena of the past year without a major amount of fan backlash.  No, Elway couldn’t have possibly planned for all of this to happen, but his ability to make the best moves possible when opportunities became available is the sign of a great leader, a strong executive, and Elway has done just that.

He wasn’t named to the Pro Bowl like RGIII, but Andrew Luck is my Rookie of the Year. (courtesy Mark Susina)

Coach of the Year

It’s not a stretch to throw John Fox’s name into this mix, but his chances of winning are probably a little less favorable than the above candidates.  Fox has continued to proved steady leadership, letting his coordinators and position coaches do their jobs, and allowing Peyton Manning the same level of input and seniority he enjoyed with the Colts.  Ultimately, despite the Broncos impressive season, it’s difficult to say Fox played a major role guiding the Broncos to this record.  Not to discredit the great job he’s done the past two seasons, but this one feels like it belongs to Bruce Arians/Chuck Pagano.

Rookie of the Year

No Broncos are in contention for this award, but I figured I’d throw in my two cents on it as it’s a good debate.  My selection would be Andrew Luck.  Of the three great rookie quarterbacks this year, Luck entered a situation with the fewest amount of pieces in place.  The Washington Redskins were bad last year, but not 2-14 blow-up-the-roster bad. Robert Griffin III has been a joy to watch, but Luck has been the difference in leading Indianapolis to a winning season.  He has the game-winning drive record to prove it.  Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson is probably best suited for a deep playoff run, and while he has thoroughly impressed, the “beneficiary” rule that applies to veteran quarterbacks should also apply to Wilson.  He’s displayed all the trappings of a future elite quarterback, but so did Joe Flacco and Mark Sanchez when their defenses were lights out. Wilson looks like a star in the making, but it doesn’t hurt that he has the most complete team of the three.  Luck’s done more with less, replaced a legend, and given Colts fans many reasons to embrace life without Manning.  That basically never happens for a rookie, and that makes Andrew Luck the best one this year.

Follow Denver Horse Force on Twitter at @DENHorseForce and Facebook at www.facebook.com/denverhorseforce.

Happy Election Day, America!

Good riddance to all those campaign ads…but brace yourselves; those Christmas ads are already in full swing.

Anyhoo…

The diagnosis is in, and it’s a severely sprained left ankle for Denver Broncos guard Chris Kuper.  With Kuper expected to be out up to a month, Manny Ramirez will likely get the nod at right guard.  He was Kuper’s replacement earlier this season.

As for the upside, well, the Broncos did win, and we’re still not entirely ready to move on just yet.  The mood Monday in and around Dove Valley was upbeat, positive, and a bit reflective.  And there’s something for everyone.

For those franchise history buffs, you have Trindon Holliday’s reaction to his Broncos’ record-setting touchdown – 105-yard kickoff return:

“When you come to a new team, you know it’s part of the business, but you really want to show your (new) teammates, you’re bringing something, that you can help.  I haven’t been in Denver that long, but it seemed like forever to make a big play.”

For those number fanatics, Week 9 gave us some impressive figures.

And lastly, for those naysayers who believe there’s nothing more to the Broncos than Peyton Manning, the Denver Post’s Mark Kiszla begs to differ:

No. 1: Denver can be a championship contender without quarterback Peyton Manning acting like a football god every Sunday.

No. 2: Only a fool (like me) even thinks about calling Champ Bailey too old to play NFL cornerback at age 34.

Other game headlines:

• CBS Denver: Denver Broncos Week 9 report card
• Mile High Report: Broncos at Bengals game insights from inside Paul Brown Stadium.

Other headlines:

• Associated Press: Peyton Manning has been worth every penny for the Broncos.
• Bleacher Report: Linebacker Von Miller might be the best pass-rusher in the NFL.
• Denver Broncos: Sunday’s game in Carolina will be a homecoming of sorts for ex-Panthers head coach John Fox.
• Denver Post: Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio is quite the schemer…and it’s paying dividends.
• Examiner: They’ll always be connected; Andrew Luck and Peyton Manning, so let’s compare their seasons!

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This (sarcastically) just in: Indianapolis has not forgotten about Peyton Manning.

Thank you to my friends and family for the constant reminder.

I recently returned to Indiana – this time bringing my favorite Denver Broncos fan along for the adventure – for an extended weekend of all things family.  It was my second trip home since “The Signing.”  The first visit was back in May, some seven weeks after Manning held up his new No. 18 jersey with a gushing John Elway looking on.  Pre-training camp.  Pre-preseason.  Pre-Week 1.

Peyton Manning’s banner is gone from Lucas Oil Stadium, but Colts fans are still following his every move. (personal photo)

Obviously, this visit was different.

Admittedly, seeing Lucas Oil Stadium without Manning’s banner outside was surreal. (The banner was removed one day before the team drafted Manning’s successor, Andrew Luck, with the No. 1 overall pick in April’s NFL Draft.)  Manning’s likeness had long been a regular fixture around the city.  As I wrote back in March in my all-time favorite DHF post, Manning singlehandedly made the Indianapolis Colts relevant in the NFL; he turned the city into a football city, an amazing feat given our unabashed allegiance to basketball.

Manning’s banner is long gone, but his support in Colts Country is unwavering.

Who remains a regular home page feature on IndyStar.com?  Whose orange jersey is prominently displayed at sports merchandise stores?  Who was the topic of multiple discussions this week with family members?

You guessed it: Peyton Manning.

Until Manning retires, he will remain the fixation of Colts fans…even those fans that have embraced the Luck era.  (For the record, Luck does has the support of many, myself included.)

According to the Indianapolis Business Journal, nearly 310,000 central Indiana homes watched Manning’s Broncos debut against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1.  The central Indiana market had the highest rating of any market in the country for the Broncos’ Monday night game in Atlanta.  The 19.0 rating (which is almost 204,000 households) was slightly higher than Denver (18.9) and significantly higher than Atlanta (12.5).  Note: Because Monday Night Football airs on ESPN, the game is simulcast on local stations in the markets of the teams playing.  The above numbers, as best I understand, only pertain to cable viewership and exclude those who watched on Denver’s My20 or Atlanta’s equivalent.

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Brandon Stokley shows Broncos he’s more than guide to Peyton Manning’s moves - There’s this idea out there, and it would be correct, that Brandon Stokley deserves some credit for helping the Broncos land quarterback Peyton Manning. But the reverse also is true.  Stokley said he was “95 percent retired” and content to move on with his life as a former NFL player when he decided to accept Manning’s invitation to work out at Duke University in late February. It was basketball that sold Stokley on the trip to North Carolina. That Stokley rediscovered he still could play football was a bonus.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Mark Kiszla: Maria Sharapova prefers tennis over Twitter; D.J. Williams should follow suit - In way less than 140 characters, I can explain why I love Maria Sharapova way more than Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams.  Stop. Get your mind out of the gutter.  Sharapova is a tennis champion.  Williams is a twittering fool.  Need I go on?  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Kickin’ It: Peyton Manning may be great, but I’d rather have Andrew Luck - Beaming in the Broncos.  I don’t think I’m the only Indianapolis Colts fan who recently installed satellite television at my house so I can watch the Broncos this autumn. I always appreciated John Elway’s accomplishments as a quarterback, but I did not follow the Broncos after he stopped playing. Since March, I have been reading The Denver Post online. Here’s what I’m sure of that Denver fans will soon also know: When the Broncos are down by nine points at the end of the third quarter, the fourth quarter will be the most fun you have had since Elway retired. Get ready. Dennis, resident of the Hoosier State.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Denver Broncos ‘Pay It Forward’ with community service - You’ve heard the term “Paying if Forward.” That’s exactly what the Denver Broncos did on Saturday.  It’s part of their inaugural “Be a Champion in the Community Week.”  They dedicated a full week starting last Saturday to community service. Players and staff visited with kids at the Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children, helped out at the Ronald McDonald House, volunteered at the Denver Rescue Mission and many other service things. They’re also helping Habitat for Humanity build four homes for four deserving families. The families live in Lakewood, Aurora and northeast Denver.  Read more from 9 News >>>>

Catching up with….the Broncos - Part of a continuing series that takes a look at what some of the Patriots’ biggest competition in the AFC is doing this offseason. We’ve already looked at the Jets,  Ravens and Steelers. Now, we turn our attention to the Broncos: The last time we saw the Broncos, they were getting curb-stomped by the Patriots in the divisional round of the AFC playoffs at Gillette Stadium, 45-10. That being said, it was a tremendous run for Denver in 2011 — buoyed by a great run from the defense, some clutch work from its special teamers and a little magic from the quarterback, they finished 8-8 and upset the Steelers in the first round of the playoffs.  Read more from WEEI.com >>>>

Denver Broncos Undrafted WR Eric Page Can Make An Impact - It seems like every year, the Denver Broncos have some undrafted free agent emerge from their rookie class and make the final roster. Perhaps that’s a result of the team not having great depth overall, but I like to think these guys really know how to bring it and show up when their time comes.  This year, that player could be former Toledo wide receiver Eric Page, a smaller wideout who comes to the Broncos as one of the most productive players in all of college football over the last three years. Page finished his collegiate career with three thousand yard seasons, and left after his junior year with virtually nothing left to do except risk injury.  Read more from With The First Pick >>>>

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You can even find Peyton Manning orange jerseys at Denver International Airport. (personal photo)

Fact: Peyton Manning jerseys are popular – whether it’s Colts blue (then) or Broncos orange (now).

Manning’s No. 18 Nike orange Broncos jersey is the league’s top-selling jersey in April and May on NFLShop.com.

Who’s No. 2?  Of course, it’s former Denver Broncos quarterback and current New York Jet Tim Tebow.

Quarterbacks also round out the top five with Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, and Eli Manning.  Broncos LB Von Miller ranks 21st in league jersey sales.

For the record, I haven’t bought a new orange jersey yet, but after careful consideration, I’m opting for No. 58.

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My name is Brenda, and I am an Indianapolis Colts fan.

Wait, what?

But this is a site about the Denver Broncos, so, again…what?

Before I go much further, let me address any Broncos fans out there thinking, “She’s not one of us.”

Au contraire.

Like my dozens of colleagues within the Aerys Sports network, we write because we want to.  These sites are maintained during our spare time.  When I joined Aerys Sports in Jan. 2011, I had my choice of which team to cover, and the Broncos – not the Colts – were my choice.  Believe me; there is no way I would spend my free time writing about just any team.

Behold my Peyton Manning Colts jersey. (personal photo)

Chargers?  Ugh.

Patriots?  Not a chance.  (No offense to The Foxhole.)

Cowboys?  Nah, I’ll pass.

I write about the Broncos because I genuinely care about the Broncos, and any insinuation to the contrary is outright silly.

This is a story about parallels, and boy, are there many.

Circling back to my opening statement, my Colts allegiance isn’t exactly a secret.  I’ve never shied away from referencing my suburban Indianapolis upbringing or my unabashed loyalty to Indiana University, the greatest institution on earth.  (You will never convince me otherwise.)

On March 7, the Colts released Peyton Manning.  The move wasn’t all that surprising, though the Colts fan in me rooted for the implausible: Manning and Andrew Luck.  Mentor and protégé.  Legend and successor.

I knew better, but still, I couldn’t bring myself to watch the farewell press conference.  Maybe if I didn’t tune in, it wouldn’t happen.  Jim Irsay wouldn’t say those words I dreaded to hear, and Manning wouldn’t get choked up thanking Colts fans for their support.

On March 7, the Colts fan in me mourned the end of what would likely be the greatest era in Colts history – at least Indianapolis Colts history, because those Baltimore teams weren’t too shabby.

Three days before Manning’s release, I finally addressed what had been circulating throughout the Broncos blogosphere for weeks: Should the Broncos pursue Peyton Manning?   Assuming Indianapolis and Manning parted ways, and knowing the Broncos desire to add another quarterback (or two), a possible union was ripe with intrigue.

I, the Colts fan turned Broncos blogger, had my doubts, but the more I thought about the prospect, the more I embraced it.  If Manning can’t play for the Colts, there’s no place I’d rather see him play than Denver.  As greedy as this sounds, I win.

I like winning.  I like it a lot.

Apparently, so do the Broncos, because what unfolded the next ten days – cross-country flights, Dove Valley visit, and a throwing “audition” in North Carolina – was a public courtship of the greatest free agent quarterback ever.  Make no mistake, Denver, and notably John Elway, wanted Manning in orange in 2012.

I was giddy.  Cautiously giddy, mind you, but very, very excited about the ‘what if.’

What if Peyton Manning joined the Broncos?

My Peyton Manning Christmas ornament camps out between my Indiana Hoosiers and Indiana Pacers memorabilia, and yes, there's Broncos stuff, too. (personal photo)

‘What if’ became reality last week when the Denver Broncos won the Peyton Manning sweepstakes.  And that was a press conference I gladly watched, a surreal turn of events I still can’t adequately put into words.  I’ve always thought of Manning as my quarterback, and now here he is…in Denver.

The past two weeks, I’ve received Facebook messages, emails, and even text messages from friends and family now proclaiming themselves Broncos fans.  See, there are Colts fans and there are Manning fans, and the groups aren’t mutually exclusive.  Sounds familiar in comparison to Tim Tebow, doesn’t it?

The Broncos lost fans when Tebow was traded to the New York Jets, but most of those were likely the fans Tebow brought in, just like all those people I know in central Indiana who are now pulling for the Broncos because they put Manning ahead of the Colts.

So yes, Denver lost some fans, but they gained some, too.

(Note: Not all Colts fans I know are Broncos converts. In fact, many will continue to cheer for Indianapolis while “wishing Peyton the best.”  That’s fine, too.  I have the same sentiments as it pertains to Tebow.  I hope his next chapter is a successful one, but I’m not about to don Jets green.)

Perhaps it was sweet irony when I was hoping Denver would keep both Manning and Tebow.  I wanted the same for the Colts with Manning and Luck, though my football sensibilities knew better.  Tebow didn’t fit in the Broncos’ future plans, just as Manning didn’t fit in the Colts’.  I don’t doubt the Broncos’ brass and their decision to ship Tebow to New York.

I addressed repeatedly last season how my Tebow skepticism was morphed into unbridled optimism.  He changed my attitude.  Like many, I enjoyed Tebow as a college quarterback, but remained unconvinced on his NFL future, and I still do to an extent.  I will, however, never question his commitment, work ethic, and desire to win.  There are simply people you don’t bet against in life; for me, Tim Tebow epitomizes such.

And on the topic of people you shouldn’t bet against…Peyton Manning and John Elway.

In yet another parallel, Manning and Elway transformed their football cities.

Thanks for following me to Denver, Peyton. (courtesy Craig O'Neal)

I saw a lot of Broncos games on television growing up, maybe because so many Indianapolis Colts home games were blacked out, but I’m not from here, so I can’t speak firsthand about how John Elway changed the football climate in Denver.

But I know he did, because I hear about it all the time.  Elway did for you what Manning did for us.

The Broncos have sold out every home game since 1970, and Elway didn’t arrive until 1983, so there was already a loyal football base in Denver.  Yet, Elway put the franchise on the map.  It’s probably safe to assume the Denver Broncos wouldn’t have appeared in five Super Bowls from 1983-99 if Elway wasn’t at the helm.  That kind of competitive significance made the Broncos’ the unchallenged “biggest show in town.”  With Elway, every season had the possibility of ending with a Super Bowl.  That kind of product has an easy time finding a passionate, attentive audience.

Manning also singlehandedly changed the football landscape in Indianapolis. Remember, we’re basketball people.  That’s not to suggest we didn’t care about the NFL prior to his arrival, because I certainly did, but Manning made the Indianapolis Colts matter.  The Colts weren’t regular features on nationally televised Sunday night or Monday night games.  Not too many people wore Colts hats, sweatshirts, or jerseys aside from game day.  There was little rush to replace the quickly aging RCA Dome, and to the best of my recollection, there were no ‘Blue Fridays,’ a weekly downtown celebration during the NFL season.

All that changed with Peyton Manning.  He, not a basketball hero or iconic coach, became the biggest name in Indiana.  That’s huge where I’m from.  Huge.

So now here we are: John Elway is a Broncos executive, Peyton Manning is the Broncos quarterback, and Denver’s favorite franchise is immensely relevant again.  As the team has mentioned, there is credit due to Tebow.  His efforts last season energized a team that had spent more than a decade being either not-quite-good-enough, or simply an afterthought in the minds of many.  He energized a fan base along with it.  Now the stewardship of the Broncos is in the hands of two men who are the most literal definition of game-changers in every sense of the word.

Indianapolis and Colts fans will always remember Peyton Manning.  His number will soon hang for Lucas Oil Stadium, and fans will sport his replica jersey for decades to come.  I’m excited to see just how good Andrew Luck can be at the next level, especially with the seemingly starting-from-scratch Colts.  However, I have a hunch the partnership of Elway and Manning could be something quite special to witness.

I can’t wait.

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See you in New Orleans?

MGM Grand Las Vegas is already out with the early odds to win Super Bowl XLVII and the Denver Broncos are in a logjam at 50-1 with Buffalo, Carolina, Kansas City, Miami, Seattle, and St. Louis.

'Cause the giant lion at MGM Grand Las Vegas said so! (personal photo)

Fellow AFC Rival San Diego comes in at 12-1 with Oakland – now with ex-Broncos defensive coordinator Dennis Allen as head coach – is 60-1.

Inexplicably, the New England Patriots are favorites at 5-1.  I really don’t understand the generous odds, but I say this right around this time each and every year.  (In fact, here’s my post from Feb. 8, 2011 on Super Bowl XLVI odds.)

Green Bay (11-2), Pittsburgh (6-1), Philadelphia (6-1 – see below), and the Giants (8-1) round out the top five.

Some other odds anomalies:

The Indianapolis Colts – the 2-14 in 2011 Indianapolis Colts – are 25-1 favorites to win Super Bowl XLVII.  Huh?  Is this under the assumption Peyton Manning is QB in 2012?  What about Andrew Luck?  Are the odds the same?  Talk about generous odds…

And staying with generous odds…the Philadelphia Eagles are 6-1 favorites, better than the 8-1 Super Bowl champion New York Giants.  When it comes to Philadelphia, color me unimpressed.  They have yet to make a believer out of me.

The Jacksonville Jaguars (150-0) are the biggest long shots to win it all in New Orleans.

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INJURY NEWS – Broncos RB Willis McGahee is listed as probable for Sunday’s game in Oakland.  TE Virgil Green and CB Cassius Vaughn are out for Denver.  Meanwhile, Raiders RB Darren McFadden is out with a foot injury.

The Denver Post: The Broncos’ game plan for Sunday – run.

The Denver Post: Going in-depth with the top college quarterbacks in the country (because there are other QBs not named Andrew Luck).  DHF did something on this earlier in the week..and let me get this out there now; I’m not sold on Oklahoma’s Landry Jones.  Just sayin’.

Los Angeles Times: The pros and cons of Tim Tebow.

NewsOK.com: Broncos star Elvis Dumervil endures another season of injuries.

Forbes: Broncos owner Pat Bowlen cracks a not-so-great top ten list.

Standard-Examiner: Comparing Tim Tebow to Jimmer Fredette.

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