Peyton Manning is entering his 18th, and possibly FINAL, NFL season in 2015. Two years removed from the Best Season Ever for a QB, Manning is coming off a 2014 season in which he started the year on pace for a 6th MVP season (69.0% completion rate, 303 yards per game, 22 TDs 3 int 119.0 Passer Rating), only to succumb to quadriceps tears that hampered his already weak arm in addition to compromising his footwork which severly affected his accuracy and ability to throw under pressure. (76.8 Rating, 3 TDs 6 int the last 4 weeks, 51.7% accuracy vs pressure, his lowest since 2002) At soon to be 39 years old, Manning will be the oldest starting QB in the NFL for the 3rd straight season. Father Time is undefeated for a reason. However, here are five reasons I believe Peyton Manning can have a very successful 2015 season.
5. DeMaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders are both returning.
DeMaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders each had career years in 2014. DeMaryius Thomas set Franchise Records in receiving yards and 100 yard games in 2014. Emmanuel Sanders had over 100 receptions and over 1400 receiving yards in his 1st season w/ Peyton Manning, ranking 3rd to Thomas and Antonio Brown in 100 yard receiving games. Both players feature game-breaking speed and run-after-the-catch ability as well as reliable hands. Both players ranked in the Top 5 in the NFL in receptions, yards and 100 yard games. Sanders and Thomas are easily Manning's Best WR Duo since Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne in their prime (2004-2006). Having two WRs capable of taking over a game gives Peyton Manning plenty of options to attack defenses. While it's unlikely Thomas matches his production from a season ago (111 catches 1619 yards, 10 100 yard games) I'd say it's a safe bet that both Thomas and Sanders should have between 85-100 catches, 1200-1400 yards and 9-12 TDs each next season.
4. Better Coaching
Following a 24-13 loss to the Colts in the Divisional Playoffs to end the year, GM John Elway fired Head Coach John Fox and his entire Coaching Staff. This might've seemed harsh considering Fox's successful tenure as Head Coach (46-18 Regular Season Record, 3-4 Playoff Mark) yet when one delves into the team's playoff defeats (3 losses by two scores, 2 losses by 5 TDs) it's easy to see why Fox was let go. The Broncos clearly have enough talent to win a SB, to take the next step they must have a coach that is A) adaptable; B) puts his players in the best positions to succeed; C) tough-minded and disciplined; D) better at game-management; E) more aggressive. While E and D have yet to be determined, new Head Coach Gary Kubiak has proven to be adaptable throughout his time as an OC and a Head Coach while also instilling a disciplined mind-set in his players. Too often, Broncos teams in the past 3 seasons shot themselves in the foot w/ penalties, especially along the O-Line. Kubiak's balanced offensive approach and disciplined demeanor should hopefully correct these issues. Finally, he isn't afraid to adapt his schemes on offense/defense if it puts his players in a better position for success. He has shown he won't stubbornly stick to one game-plan as was often the case w/ Fox.
3. Better Defense
The Broncos posted a Top 5 defense in yards allowed, #2 against the run and 1st in passing yards per attempt allowed. Yet for all of its improvements over the 2013 unit, the 2014 Broncos still were 17th in pts allowed. As was often the case w/ Del-Rio's defenses in Denver, the 2014 Broncos often lacked in forced turnovers or constant pass rush pressure, instead opting for more bend-but-don't-break principles as well as having a knack for allowing garbage time points in blowouts. Wade Phillips switching the D to a 3-4 scheme should place Pass-Rushers Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware in better positions to rush the passer and expand the number of different ways that Phillips can use the two pass rushers to attack the QB. The biggest hope with the Defense to me, is that they either improve in how many points they're allowing or else create more turnovers. Having a D that ranked in the Top 5 in turnovers forced could off-set turnovers by our own offense as well as provide the offense w/ better field position opportunities during the course of a particular game.
2. Better Offensive-Line Play/Coaching
W/o question, the turning point in Peyton Manning's season was when Fox and Gase decided to switch up the starters along the O-Line at the half-way point before the Oakland game. While the moves helped the team transition better into a power running team, it also severely compromised Peyton Manning's pass protection by moving Louis Vasquez to Right Tackle. He often lacked the lateral movement/foot-work to be effective in pass protection and teams like the Rams and especially the Bengals took advantage. Upgrading the Center and Right Tackle positions while also ensuring a solid choice at Left Guard, be that Orlando Franklin or another player, would solidify the weaknesses in protection while also providing better personnel to run Kubiak's Zone Blocking Scheme in the running game.
1. CJ Anderson
Yes a 3rd year RB, who came on the last 6 weeks of the season as Denver's featured RB, is the key to Peyton Manning's 2015 season being a successful one. Anderson has all the tools needed to be an every down RB in Manning's offense. He can pass-protect, he can catch, he's got excellent vision, great balance and lateral movement, power and most importantly: is capable of being the workhorse. Peyton Manning hasn't had a workhorse RB since Edgerrin James back in 2005. That season James ran for over 1500 yards and averaged over 24 carries a game as the Colts went 14-2. Anderson's ability to take over the game as a runner should aid Manning tremendously: simplifying coverages and lessening the number of hits the 39 year old takes. It should also keep his arm fresh for the playoffs. Having a dangerous ground attack to complement Manning's psssing, much like in 2006, would go a long way to putting Manning in the Best Possible position to win a 2nd SB Title.
