[Originally published: Jan. 28, 2016 in The Ionian]

There are very few players who walk away from the game of football hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. Peyton Manning finds himself one win away from joining the likes of John Elway, Jerome Bettis, Ray Lewis and Michael Strahan, all of whom won the Super Bowl in their final NFL game.

Manning, who will play in his fourth Super Bowl, leads the Denver Broncos against the Carolina Panthers Feb. 7 in Santa Clara, Calif.

This season has been difficult for Manning, as he missed six games in the regular season due to injury. In the games that he did play, he showed obvious signs of decline.

He registered just nine touchdowns, which comes out to an average of less than one per game. His completion percentage (59.8) was his lowest since his rookie season. His total quarterback and passer ratings were significantly lower than any other year.

Furthermore, he did not connect on passes that he would have made previously. Two months shy of 40, Manning has had health issues in the past. He missed the entire 2011 season with a neck injury, and it was questionable at that time whether he would ever play again.

When he returned to playing the following year as a member of the Broncos, he showed that he had returned to form with 37 touchdowns and 4,659 yards.

He had the best year of his career in 2013 as he set NFL records with 55 touchdowns and 5,477 yards.

The Broncos’ prolific offense that season set numerous records and led the team to the Super Bowl. In a matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, the NFL’s best defense, Denver’s high-powered offense was stifled 43-8.

Manning and company remember the embarrassment they felt after the rout against the Seahawks and will use that as extra motivation for this year’s game.

In this year’s Super Bowl, the roles are reversed. Manning is on the team with one of the best defenses in the league, and the Broncos are facing the best offense in the NFL.

Furthermore, when you put one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time with an elite defense, it is a formula for success.

Think about when the New England Patriots won three Super Bowls in the span of four years (2001-2004). Granted, they had Tom Brady, but the core of those New England teams was the defense.

While Brady and Manning have established themselves as two of the greatest quarterbacks ever, they need to have a strong defense to complement them. Manning has that this year.

Denver’s defense is great at all three levels. DeMarcus Ware is a force to be reckoned with on the defensive line. At the linebacker position, Von Miller is outstanding. In the AFC championship game against the Patriots, he registered 2.5 sacks. Aqib Talib leads the secondary. Talib helped seal the conference title for Denver by batting Brady’s pass away from the intended receiver on New England’s two-point conversion attempt at the end of the game in the Broncos’ 20-18 win.

While the Broncos narrowly punched their ticket to the Super Bowl, the Panthers asserted themselves with a 49-15 win over the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC championship game. This domination comes after a season in which Carolina finished an impressive 15-1.

The Panthers are the fourth team to go at least 15-1 in the regular season and advance to the Super Bowl. But that does not necessitate that they will win; just ask the 2007 Patriots, who were undefeated and lost in the Super Bowl to finish 18-1.

As the Broncos gear up for their toughest opponent of the season in the Panthers, they have what it takes to stop Cam Newton and company.

Win or lose, Manning is still one of the greatest players of all time. He holds the record for the most career passing yards (71,940), career touchdowns (539) and MVP awards (five) in NFL history. A second Super Bowl title would enhance his legacy. Manning would achieve a status of immortality if he ends his career with a championship, and that is exactly what he is lined up to do.

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