Here are 20 of those 50:
1. Peyton Manning is not invincible in the playoffs. Maybe he is during the regular season, but he was 1 and done in the playoffs 7 out of 11 appearances with the Colts. In fact, the last playoff game he played was a home loss to Mark Sanchez in 2010. In that game, the Colts came in red hot winners of 5 in a row, but lost 17-16 to the Jets in Indy. He also lost twice to Phillip Rivers and Norv Turner, two guys usually allergic to even getting into the playoffs.
2. Another Peyton Manning stat coming up. Look, I actually love the guy and watch him whenever possible, but I think this line is as high as it is because people think he is a machine. He has been this year, but all the guy has done in his career is win in the regular season. This should be of no surprise, but back to his playoff performances. In outdoor cold weather playoff games, he is 2-3 with 4 touchdowns and NINE INTERCEPTIONS. Good enough for a QB Rating of 60. He has never played well in cold weather and many thought Denver was not a possibile destination because of this. I believe his record is 1-3 when the temperature is under 40 degrees.
3. I think the Broncos dominating win over the Ravens is fresh in everyone's minds...again leading to an inflated price. Please throw that game out. Yes, the Broncos moved the ball up and down the field with Moreno, but the Ravens were without their two starting LB's...Lewis and Ellerbe (who is playing out of his mind right now). They were also without their starting safety Bernard Pollard (Pro Bowl replacement) and reigning defensive player of the year All Pro Suggs. Ngata was also playing at 30% maximum dealing with multiple injuries. Remember, that game also turned ugly on a pick 6 before half, but I won't look at that game for one second. Bynes and Ayanbadejo led the Ravens in tackling that game.
4. The Ravens new look offensive line. They finally decided to play with their 5 best offensive lineman last week. Oher at Right Tackle (can't play left) and Mckinnie played left. Mckinnie was outstanding last week and I am glad he is finally out of Harbaugh's doghouse. They were a mess at the time Denver came to Baltimore and you can't have an incohesive offensive line against that Denver pass rush.
5. Sticking with the offensive line theme, Marshall Yanda is back and fully healthy. Some may say who the darn is that? Well, he is an All Pro and you could argue he is the best guard in football. He was out for the Broncos game. Joe Flacco's passer ratings the last 3 games Yanda has played have all been over 110.
6. People will read Peyton Manning is 9-0 in his last 9 games against the Ravens. This is true, but misleading. He has never thrown for over 300 yards against the Ravens and only averaged 245 yards in those 9 games. To put that into perspective, he is averaging about 290 a game over the last 3 years. He actually threw for a season low 210 yards against the Ravens (blowout had something to do with that too). People need to understand that the Colts cover 2 defense and pass rush is what beat the Ravens all those years. The Ravens never had a QB who could throw over the middle to move the ball. See 15-6 home loss to Peyton in 2006 who threw for 0 TD's (Reed picked him twice).
7. The bye. You ask how is this a bad thing? Well, it is good for rest and to prevent injuries, but the Colts were rolling. Winners of 11 straight just smoking anyone in their way. I think this break could actually stop their momentum.
8. Did the Broncos peak too early? It is possible. It is very difficult to win 14 games in a row in the NFL which is what they will have to do to win the Super Bowl. How many times do we see a Wild Card team who gets hot toward the end of the year and then makes a run in the playoffs? See it in almost every sport.
9. The Short Week. People are going to point to the fact that the NFL fucked the Ravens again by giving them a 6 day week before heading out to the altitude in Denver (why isn't Houston playing Saturday?), but the Ravens have made this same short road trip 3 of the last 4 years in the playoffs. (lost a game they had a giant lead in at Pittsburgh in 2010, lost to the Colts in 2009, beat Tennessee in a game everyone picked them to lose in 2008). Exaggerated angle in my opinion.
10. Joe Flacco. Won't be rattled. There is a reason that he is not just the only QB to make the playoffs every year the last five, but he has won a game in each year. Highest QBR last week in the Wild Card round by a wide marging. People still want to fade him and I think that contributes to an inflated line here. Denver is a tough place to play, but one thing you can't argue about Flacco is his poise. Never gets flustered and has been clutch in the playoffs his whole career in places like Pittsburgh and New England. Also, he has never shown any signs of not liking the cold weather. I think his ball travels much better in cold windy air.
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