It’s been a long 6 months. Sure, we’ve had the “Summer of Soccer”, baseball and the NBA. Fun, but not enough. I’m ready for some football!
The offseason has been interesting. Everyone knows about “DeflateGate” and how my Niners had The Worst Offseason In Professional Sports History. You’ve heard how Geno Smith‘s jaw was broken by linebacker IK Enemkpali and might have deserved it; and that Rex Ryan snatched up Enemkpali the day after he was released by the Jets.
Then there’s the standard New Head Coach optimism. Jack Del Rio is hopeful for his young, fresh faced Raiders. John Fox believes he can get Jay Cutler to play good football and maybe even care about it. Jim Tomsula is still holding out hope for Aldon Smith.
Now, finally, the offseason is over. It’s officially preseason. The NFL Network is in full swing, broadcasting every preseason game it possibly can. And I am watching. Yes, it’s preseason. Yes, it’s sloppy and boring. But it’s football.
More importantly, the beginning of preseason starts a very short countdown to September 10, when the Patriots take on the Steelers in the first regular season game. So yeah, I am pretty happy.
Here’s my big prediction for the 2015-2016 NFL Season:
The Denver Broncos win the Super Bowl. Yes, you read it here first. Ok, I know. The Seahawks, Patriots and Packers (among others) have great teams. Just hear me out:
This could (maybe should) be Peyton Manning‘s final season and he must go out on top. There is no better field general in the sport. Maybe never has been. Brady is more mobile (my desk is more mobile) and a great quarterback. Aaron Rodgers is at the top of his game and a force to be reckoned with. But Peyton is the man.
He’s arguably the smartest quarterback ever. That goes a long way when your team is in the trenches. He is the consummate problem solver under pressure. Totally unflappable. I have never seen Peyton panic under pressure. I can’t say that about any other QB in the league.
His team goes to war for him. Peyton is liked and respected by his coaches and teammates. That’s not necessarily the case in some of the other top-tier franchises. They trust him to call the right plays at the right time. His histrionics at the line (Omaha!) are less to confuse the defense than to adjust his play to what he sees on the other side of the ball.
The Broncos are solid. Sure, their secondary has been weak but Kubiak is working on it. Every other part of the team is rock steady. This team is ready to go head-to-head with the toughest competition the league can throw at them.
Lastly, and most importantly, there is no way Peyton can retire with only one ring. Eli has two. It’s just not right. This gross inequity can’t stand. I don’t see much danger in Eli adding to his two Super Bowl rings, so Peyton can level that score with a win.
I can’t wait to see him hoist the Lombardi trophy over his head.
I love football!
