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Tag: Denver Broncos

  • NFL Jerseys: Seahawks Players Claim 3 Of The Top Ten Spots In Sales

    A few of the stars will not surprise anyone, but a couple other players may surprise some people in the list of the top ten highest-selling NFL jerseys.

    Five of the best quarterbacks that the NFL has seen in recent years remain at the top, but after that is where things get interesting.

    The top selling NFL jerseys belong to the two quarterbacks who will be seen in the upcoming Super Bowl, Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson, respectively. Three of the top ten spots also belong to members of the Seattle Seahawks.

    The Seattle Seahawks will be representing the NFC in the Super Bowl, and have had the best record in the league throughout the season.

    They defeated the San Francisco 49ers to get to the big game, while being led by Colin Kaepernick, who is also featured on the top ten list of NFL jerseys.

    After the two quarterbacks that advanced to the Super Bowl, the two that were eliminated last week come in third and fourth, with Colin Kaepernick at third and Tom Brady at fourth.

    Due to the great amount of attention that he has received as of recently in part thanks to his outrageous interview with Erin Andrews, and the recent fine that he received for taunting Michael Crabtree, Richard Sherman has also earned a spot in the top list of NFL jerseys.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcHfdhYITjQ

    Richard Sherman is a cornerback for the Seattle Seahawks, and is a likely candidate to win the defensive player of the year award. He is also the only defensive player on the top ten list for NFL jerseys, with the other nine players being quarterbacks and only two running backs.

    The total sales that account for the top ten sales of NFL jerseys is for the league’s fiscal year, which began on April 1, 2013.

    The full list can be seen here:

    1. Peyton Manning, Broncos
    2. Russell Wilson, Seahawks
    3. Colin Kaepernick, 49ers
    4. Tom Brady, Patriots
    5. Drew Brees, Saints
    6. Marshawn Lynch, Seahawks
    7. Adrian Peterson, Vikings
    8. Aaron Rodgers, Packers
    9. Ryan Tannehill, Dolphins
    10. Richard Sherman, Seahawks

    With the top ten players with NFL jerseys in sales over the past year, the Seahawks have three players with Russell Wilson, Marshawn Lynch, and Richard Sherman, coming in 2nd, 6th, and 10th place. They will meet the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl on February 2nd.

    Image via Youtube

  • Percy Harvin Returns To Seahawks Practice, Expected To Play In Super Bowl

    Since acquiring Percy Harvin from the Minnesota Vikings, the Seattle Seahawks have had the unfortunate situation of having him injured for the majority of the season.

    Harvin came back once earlier in the season, and then when returning again recently, he suffered a concussion and was prevented from playing in the NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers..

    He had only played in one game during the regular season after having the off-season surgery that he had on his hip, but was finally able to play again for their playoff game against the New Orleans.

    He suffered a concussion late in the first half, and the talented wide receiver has continued to have injury problems throughout his short career, including when he was in college at Florida. Before leaving the game, he caught three passes and had one 9-yard run on an end around.

    Percy Harvin has played in only two games all year, but was a full participant in practice on Wednesday. However, he has not officially been cleared to play in the Super Bowl yet, but the team is trying to be positive about his return for the big game.

    Coach Pete Carroll is keeping a positive outlook on the situation and said on Monday that Harvin “should be fine” for the big game against the Denver Broncos.

    Despite not having Percy Harvin for much of the season, the Seatle Seahawks have remained as the leader of the league, and have now earned a trip to the Super Bowl after defeating their rivals, the San Francisco 49ers.

    In related news, Knowshon Moreno of the Broncos was injured during the AFC Championship Game, and while his status is currently day to day, he is also expected to be ready in time for the Super Bowl.

    Percy Harvin could certainly be used in the Seattle Seahawks’ offense, as they have been relying on the running game for much of the time lately. Rusell Wilson, who is one of the top quarterbacks in the league, topped the 200-yard passing mark against the San Francisco 49ers for just the first time since Week 15.

    Whether Percy Harvin will be heatlhy in time to join them or not, the Seattle Seahawks will be facing off against the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII on February 2nd. The team also may want to play it safe and not have him injured again, although no player is going to want to miss out on a chance to play in the Super Bowl.

    Image via Youtube

  • Russell Wilson Attended Manning’s QB Camp as a Teen

    Over the next two weeks, we are sure to hear a ton of media stories stemming from Super Bowl XLVIII. Of course, the quarterback battle will dominate the headlines as veteran and future hall of famer Peyton Manning takes on second year standout Russell Wilson. Here’s an interesting twist to the story, Russell Wilson attended one of Peyton Manning’s passing camps as a sophomore in high school.

    During a press conference on Wednesday, Wilson was not shy about admitting that Manning is one of the best to ever play the game. The Seattle signal caller spoke of the example that Manning set, “There’s thousands of kids there and I was actually in his group. I think 12 or 15 other guys, and just how much he showed for the kids at the time and how much detail he always talked about and how much of a perfectionist he was, and I try to use that in my game. He added, “I have a long way to go, obviously, I just try to do all the little things, and that’s what he does.”

    Manning even remembered Wilson from their time together at camp. Well, at least, maybe he did. Wilson told reporters, “When I was getting drafted the Denver Broncos brought me to Denver and he was sitting there in the locker room, and I went up and talked to him.” Wilson continued, “He said, ‘Have I seen you before somewhere? I think I’ve seen you before somewhere.”

    Seattle defeated the 49ers at home last Sunday to earn the right to face Denver at the big game on February 2nd in New Jersey. The matchup will be the ultimate battle of offense versus defense. Manning’s Broncos are considered a total offensive Juggernaut while Wilson’s Seahawks are a defensive brick wall that will look to run Marshawn Lynch in a ball-control offense in an attempt to keep Manning off the field.

    The Seahawks are currently on the short-list of teams that have never won a Super Bowl. They went to the dance once back in 2006 but lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Meanwhile, Manning will look for his second title. He won a championship while with the Indianapolis Colts in 2006 against the Bears and was also named the Super Bowl MVP that year. Denver won back to back Super Bowls under John Elway in 1997 and 1998.

    Image via Twitter

  • Renee Fleming Has Been Chosen To Sing National Anthem At Super Bowl

    The singer of the national anthem for Super Bowl XLVIII has been selected. Opera singer Renee Fleming will sing her rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” for audiences watching the big game on February 2nd.

    The tradition of singing the national anthem before sporting events dates back many years, and a variety of famous musicians have been chosen to sing the celebratory song at the Super Bowl over the years.

    Renee Fleming will be carrying on the tradition that talented musicians such as Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Kathy Lee Gifford, and Whitney Houston have all participated in at the beginning of past Super Bowls.

    Fleming certainly has big shoes to fill, but according to Entertainment Weekly, she is undoubtedly one of the most competently trained singers to take on the National Anthem at the Super Bowl in some time.

    The upcoming Super Bowl will be host to the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos, the two teams that have remained at the top throughout the season and have rightfully earned a trip to this year’s Super Bowl.

    The Broncos defeated the Patriots in order to advance, and the Seahawks were able to handle their bitter rivals, the San Francisco 49ers, in a fierce battle in Seattle.

    Renee Fleming is an acclaimed opera singer who has picked up four Grammys over the course of her lengthy career. She was also one of the voices on the soundtrack for The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King, and performed the theme song for the animated film Rise Of The Guardians. She is also the first opera singer to sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl.

    Actor and former governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger was also recently added to the Super Bowl festivities, and is set to be the subject of a Bud Light commercial.

    Renee Fleming brings the musical performances of the evening full circle. She joins Bruno Mars and Red Hot Chili Peppers, who will be performing the halftime show, and U2 is also set to make a performance of some sort during the show, likely in the form of an ad in support of their new single “Invisible” and/or their upcoming new album.

    She has a tough job, and one that singers have been known to struggle with in the past – but her talent and experience should help her succeed at the big event.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Elway: On Manning’s Retirement Possibility

    Elway: On Manning’s Retirement Possibility

    John Elway, former Bronco’s quarterback and now the teams executive vice president, says Manning isn’t likely to retire anytime soon. Especially if he finishes his record-setting season with a second Super Bowl ring.

    Elway, who retired over 15 years ago was due for retirement – his body was breaking down after 15 years (1983-1998) as the Bronco’s QB. He went out with a bang though, having won their second Super Bowl in a row, the XXXIII Super Bowl against Atlanta. Elway endured almost double the career sacks as Manning at 516 times, 244 more than Manning.

    But about Manning retiring, Elway seems to think he’s got more years.

    ‘‘I still think he’s young and he’s playing well,’’ Elway said Thursday of his quarterback, who’s coming off his best statistical season just two years removed from neck problems that weakened his throwing arm. ‘‘That’s going to come down to Peyton. It’s going to come down to what he wants to do.’’

    Manning hasn’t hinted that he is thinking about calling it quits at age 37, but he has dropped phrases lately like ‘‘light at the end of the tunnel’’ when talking about his career and his neck injury.

    But he has said his career hinges on a physical exam in March that will determine how well the injury has healed.

    Elway plans to meet with Manning after the season to talk about his future. But Manning sure doesn’t appear to be broken or suffering after those Sunday games.

    After all, Manning, the 5-time MVP has thrown for 97 touchdowns in his two seasons in Denver, including an NFL-record 55 this season.

    ‘‘When you leave this game, you want to leave it on your last leg and try not to leave anything on the table. … I was just fortunate to be able to be on two great football teams and be able to win world championships when my ‘last leg’ broke,’’ said Elway.

    The two great quarterbacks are heading to Super Bowl XLVIII on Sunday, February 2, against the Seattle Seahawks.

    Image via YouTube

  • Knowshon Moreno Left AFC Championship Game With Injury, Status Is Unknown

    Knowshon Moreno went down with an injury during the game against the Patriots yesterday, and effectively scared all of the fans of the Denver Broncos that were watching the game.

    Moreno has been the leading rusher on a team that has consistently had the top offense throughout the league. He went down in the fourth quarter, and while it looked to be a very serious injury in the way he went down, it does not seem to be as bad as it could have been.

    It appeared to be a chest injury initially when he left the field, and had X-rays on his ribs today, and luckily for Moreno and the Broncos, they came back negative, and according to coach John Fox, his status is considered day to day.

    He was injured on a tackle from Patriots defender Jamie Collins midway through the fourth quarter, and was not able to return to the game. His status is still unknown, and is playing it day to day, but it is likely that he will be able to return for the Super Bowl, which is two weeks away.

    Despite losing Knowshon Moreno to injury, the Broncos were able to win the game, and defeated the Patriots 26-16. The Broncos led throughout the game, and built a defiicit for the Patriots that was too hard for even Tom Brady to come back from.

    Moreno finished with 14 carries for 59 yards and two receptions for 22 yards in the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots.

    In related news, Seahawks receiver Percy Harvin was forced to sit out of the NFC Championship Game due to a recent concussion, but he is likely to be back in time for the Super Bowl.

    The win sends them to the Super Bowl where they will meet the Seattle Seahawks in a battle of the two teams that have remained at the top throughout the season. The Seahawks defeated their bitter rivals, the San Francisco 49ers, in order to advance to the NFL’s big game.

    The upcoming Super Bowl will also pair up the league’s top offense (Broncos) with the league’s top defense (Seahawks) in what could possibly be one of the most hard fought games in years.

    After Knowshon Moreno left the game, he was replaced by rookie Montee Ball, a capable backup to replace Moreno,but with a two week break, their starting running back should be back in time to play, and help Peyton Manning win his third Super Bowl.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Denver Broncos Move Past Patriots And On To The Super Bowl

    After the spectacular season that the Denver Broncos have had, including the best season of Peyton Manning’s career, they are certainly deserving of a trip to the Super Bowl, which they earned yesterday.

    The Denver Broncos took an early lead during the AFC Championship Game, and perhaps surprised some people, although the Patriots were able to make a comeback at the end.

    However, the lead was too large, and even Tom Brady but could not win it for them in the end. The Broncos won the game 26-16, sending them to another Super Bowl.

    In what was hyped up as 15th meeting between Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, widely viewed as two of the top quarterbacks in the history of the NFL, Manning came away with the victory.

    Manning’s win yesterday puts Brady up 10-5 in the series, although Manning is now 2-1 in AFC Championship Games.

    After playing with the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos, Peyton Manning has had plenty of experience playing in the games.

    After the game, he said “Being in my 16th season, going to my third Super Bowl, I know how hard it is to get there.” Manning, more than anyone, knows what it is like to make a comeback.

    He has had multiple surgeries and suffered a tragic loss to the Ravens last year, while most people had already considered his career to be over before becoming a member of the Broncos.

    Following their win yesterday, the Broncos will move on to the Super Bowl where they will play against the Seattle Seahawks, coming off of a big win against their big rivals.

    The Seahawks secured their victory with a late interception in the end-zone with the help of Richard Sherman, who may end up getting the defensive player of the year award.

    The Broncos and the Seahawks have continually been the two dominant teams in the league throughout the year, and it is fitting for the two of them to meet in the Super Bowl.

    The game will feature the best offense in the NFL, the Denver Broncos, and the best defense in the league with the Seattle Seahawks, earning the nickname of the “Legion of Boom.” The Seahawks also have one of the top offenses behind Russell Wilson at quarterback and Marshawn Lynch at the running back position.

    Peyton Manning has taken the Denver Broncos to Super Bowl XLVIII where they will meet the Seahawks in an epic showdown between the two best teams in the NFL.

    If Manning is able to win, he will also be able to finally tie his brother’s record with two Super Bowl rings, after having a much better career overall.

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  • Patriots Lose to Broncos in AFC Championship Game

    Tom Brady and the New England Patriots lost the AFC championship game to the Broncos on Sunday in Denver. The final score of the game was 26-16, a disheartening loss for the Patriots after a season filled with turmoil.

    The Patriots fought hard to head to the Super Bowl next month, but were ultimately unable to grasp the win. The team managed to hold on until the loss of cornerback Aqib Talib, when his knee was injured early in the second quarter.

    Before the season even started, injuries and other incidents cost the Patriots several star players, including starters Rob Gronkowski, Armond Armstead, and Aaron Hernandez. (Gronkowski and Armstead were both injured, while Hernandez was lost to the team after being charged with murder.)

    However, 2013 wasn’t a complete failure for Brady and coach Bill Belichick, as they somehow managed 13 wins over the course of the season.

    Sunday’s game was filled with bad luck for the Patriots, as they were forced to play without any of their best defensive team members by the second quarter. (Two of which were unable to play at all.)

    Now, Peyton Manning and the Broncos are headed to the Super Bowl, awarding the eldest Manning son the opportunity to take home his second Super Bowl ring.

    Despite the loss, the Patriots did manage some decent plays, including a pass completed by Brady for a first down in the fourth quarter. However, two of the main reasons being attributed to the ultimate outcome were regretful coaching choices made by Belichick, as well as a failed attempt at a two-point conversion.

    The Patriots were also forced to head into the championship game without five of their starting players: Vince Wilfork, Jerod Mayo, Tommy Kelly, Sebastian Vollmer, and Brandon Spikes.

    Besides the substantial efforts made by Patriots quarterback, Tom Brady, wide receiver, Julian Edelman, also performed well.

    Commenting on the outcome of the game, Brady said, “I think this team is a very resilient, tough, hard-nosed team and I think we just got beat by a team today that played very well.”

    Belichick made a similar statement concerning Denver’s stellar performance, saying, “They were the better team today.”

    The Broncos will attempt to win the 2014 Super Bowl on February 2.

    Main image courtesy @Broncos via Twitter.

  • Marijuana Superbowl: It Really Could Happen

    With the Denver Broncos beating the New England Patriots 26-16, and making their way to this year’s Superbowl, some are hoping the team faces the Seattle Seahawks. And why? Because if the two teams meet, the game will be known as the Marijuana Superbowl, since Colorado and Washington have become the first two states to legalize recreational marijuana use.

    Some who champion the use of cannabis say a Marijuana Bowl would be the perfect message to send to the NFL, since the league has a strong reputation of linking itself to alcohol brands, namely beer.

    Mason Tvert, who’s the official spokesman for the Marijuana Project in Denver, says he’s dying to see a Superbowl between the Broncos and the Seahawks, and hopefully the NFL will replace some of the beer ads with pot ads, he says.

    “Hopefully there will be a break in the beer commercials for some discussion about marijuana laws,” he stated. In addition, Tvert says the tides in the U.S. are turning nowadays, to the point where most cities that have an NFL team will have legal marijuana use. “It won’t be long before it’s unique to have two teams in the Super Bowl that haven’t made marijuana legal,” he said.

    Steve Fox, a lawyer who works for a firm that deals in the pot industry, says some who are pro marijuana have been anticipating this type of match up for quite a while. “It’s something that those of us in the movement have had an eye on for a long time,” he said.

    Plus, Fox believes that the green stuff has something to do with other teams not playing well, like the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins. Although it’s hard to understand how he came up with this conclusion.

    “If you noticed, the more marijuana-friendly localities really kicked butt,” he said. “I don’t know what it really means in the grand scheme of things, but it’s a nice bit of karma if nothing else.”

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • New England Patriots Fall To Denver Broncos

    The AFC Championship was just decided in spectacular fashion at Denver. Spectacular, at least, if you were rooting for the Denver Broncos.

    Despite a massive win over the Indianapolis Colts at home, the New England Patriots could not take that momentum with them on the road. The Patriots spent much of the game trailing with a distant three points, the defense never threatening Peyton Manning.

    Tom Brady tried to get a bit of momentum going late in the second half, with the Patriots managing to put 13 points on the board in the fourth. Unfortunately for the New England team, the push would come too late as a determined Denver side would keep itself out of touching distance.

    In the end, it was never actually close.

    According to post-game stats, the Patriots only rushed for 67 yards, and the most of the 277 total yards by Brady came when the team was down by twenty points.

    As for the Broncos, Manning had 400 yards, threw two touchdowns and had no interceptions. It was for all intents and purposes a flawless performance.

    Manning is now 2-1 in AFC titles over rival Brady, and as these two accomplished quarterbacks continue to show that they have still more to give, it’s very possible that the New England quarterback will be back to challenge that lead in future seasons.

    It was clear almost from the beginning that this was the Denver Broncos’ game to lose, and they had no intention of doing so.

    The Broncos will feature in their first Super Bowl appearance since 1998, when the team bested the Atlanta Falcons for the Vince Lombardi trophy.

    If Peyton Manning were to win, he would be the first starting quarterback in NFL history to lead two separate franchises to the title.

    Now the Broncos wait to see whether they will have to best the San Francisco 49ers or Seattle Seahawks in what will likely be a thrilling Super Bowl match up.

    Image via Jordanems Network

  • Tim Tebow Trade a Huge Mistake for Tannenbaum’s Jets

    Everyone already knew this but it’s still refreshing to hear Mike Tannenbaum admit that he was wrong. The former New York Jets general manager confessed on CBS Sports Radio’s Damon Amenolara Show that trading for Tim Tebow was not good for the organization, “Obviously we made a couple mistakes, trading for Tim Tebow most notably. But I would say beyond that, but we (could have done a better job with the bottom of our roster), especially toward the end.”

    Tannenbaum was promoted to GM in 2006. He obviously made some great decisions as top dog of the Jets organization, the team did go to back to back AFC Championship games in 2009 and 2010. However, the team dropped to 6-10 in 2012 and that alone may have cost Tannenbaum his job.

    His decision to bring Tebowmania to New York in a backup role to quarterback Mark Sanchez was obviously not a popular decision. The scrambling quarterback with a noodle arm was hardly used by coach Rex Ryan. Tebow threw just eight passes in 2012 with six completions for a mere 39 yards.

    Tannenbaum didn’t blame it all on Tebow, however. He admitted that letting solid players get away had a major negative impact on the Jet organization as a whole. “I think some of the mistakes made were from the bottom end of our roster up. So when you lose guys like Jim Leonhard or Danny Woodhead or Jerricho Cotchery, it affects a lot of things, not just what they do on the field, but what they do in the locker room.”

    Tim Tebow won a Heisman Trophy playing with the University of Florida in 2007. He also won two BCS Championships in 2006 and 2008. He was drafted in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. When Tebow took over the quarterback position after an injury to Kyle Orton in game six of the 2011 season, the Broncos were an abysmal 1-4. Somehow, Tebow led the team to a roaring comeback and Denver won the AFC West that season. Tebow also defeated a heavily favored Pittsburgh Steelers team in overtime in the divisional round of the playoffs.

    However, John Elway was always down on Tebow. And when the opportunity to bring Peyton Manning over from the Colts presented itself for the 2012 season, the former Bronco great worked to trade Tebow to the Jets for a fourth and sixth round draft pick.

    Despite Tebow’s history of winning and his miraculous late-game heroics, the Jets never gave him much of a chance. He was released by the team in April of 2013. Tebow is currently a free agent and works for ESPN as a college football analyst. However, he has mentioned that he wants to get back into the NFL. Tannenbaum doesn’t doubt that Tebow could make a comeback, “I would never bet against Tim. We used to have an expression that Tim’s the type of guy who’s either going to be successful or die trying. His relentlessness and passion. I would think he’ll get another opportunity.”

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  • NFL Playoff Schedule Set and Ready to Go

    NFL Playoff Schedule Set and Ready to Go

    It’s down to the final four teams in the NFL. Two squads will earn the right to represent their respective divisions at Superbowl XLVIII on February 2nd in New Jersey. No one is surprised that the Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks are the last teams standing. All four have dominated in their division and each have strong quarterbacks with solid head coaches.

    Let’s take a look at the matchups for next Sunday.

    AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME:
    New England Patriots @ Denver Broncos
    Kick off: 3 pm
    Opening Vegas Line: Denver -4.5

    Here we go again, another Tom Brady versus Peyton Manning matchup. No doubt that the rivalry has become one of the best in all of sports. The two quarterbacks have squared off a total of 15 times in the regular and post season. This will be the third time that they have faced off in an AFC Championship Game. They each have one win.

    It’s been nine yeas since Brady won his third Super Bowl ring. He doesn’t have the key receivers he’s had in the past but Terrific Tom usually seems to find a way to make due. In the last Manning/Brady Bowl in November of this year, Brady pulled off a Houdini Act for the ages when he erased a 24 point half-time deficit over the Broncos in New England. Meanwhile, Manning has not played in a Super Bowl since 2007 when his Colts beat the Bears 29-17.

    NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME:
    San Francisco 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks
    Kickoff: 6:30 pm
    Opening Vegas Line: Seattle -3.5

    Two heated division rivals will go head to head on Sunday evening. San Francisco will have to find a way to score points against one of the best defenses in the league and the dreaded “12th man.” No doubt that Seattle holds one of the best homefield advantages in all of sports. The Seahawks only had one loss at home this year against the Arizona Cardinals, so the 49ers will certainly study that game to see how an average Cardinal team was able to come away with a victory.

    If Seattle wins, it will only be the second time in their franchise history that they’ve gone to the Superbowl. They lost in 2005 to the Steelers. The 49ers, on the other hand, will look for a return trip to the big game after losing a heart breaker to the Baltimore Ravens last year.

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  • NFL Playoff Schedule: Down To Four Teams With Two Epic Match-Ups

    NFL Playoff Schedule: Down To Four Teams With Two Epic Match-Ups

    The NFL playoff schedule have seen some exciting games so far, but the divisional round was a bit less than stellar, and did not see any surprises for the teams that advanced to the conference championships.

    After the divisional round has concluded, four teams remain, and each team is matched up with another team that they are painfully familiar with.

    The Seahawks will be playing their division rivals, the San Francisco 49ers, and the Patriots will face the Broncos, pairing Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, something that fans have seen in the AFC many times.

    The Super Bowl is just a few weeks away now, and as the NFL playoff schedule gets smaller by the week, by Sunday night, fans will know which two teams they will be seeing in the big game this year.

    Both games will be taking place on Sunday this week, with the AFC Championship Game surprisingly taking place first at 3 p.m. and the NFC Championship Game being shown at 6:30 p.m.

    This NFC Championship Game is an important match-up for a number of reasons in a rivalry that goes back several decades with the two teams that will battle to determine who is the best in the west.

    To advance to the NFC Championship Game, the Seahawks were able to handle the Saints easily at home and won 23-15, although they led throughout the game, forcing the Saints to make a miraculous comeback.

    The rivalry between the coaches dates back to the Pac-12 when Jim Harbaugh was coaching Stanford and Pete Carroll was at USC, and with everything else that surrounds these two teams, it should be an exciting game on Sunday night. It also boasts two of the best young quarterbacks who can both run and pass with Colin Kaepernick and Russell Wilson.

    As far as the AFC, everyone in the country had probably predicted the top two teams to advance, and fans will get to witness another meeting between two of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game.

    The Patriots stomped all over the Colts in a commanding fashion with LeGarrette Blount leading the way with four rushing touchdowns.

    This will be the 15th meeting between Manning and Brady, and the last time the two teams played, the Patriots won in overtime. Both teams handled their competition fairly easily to make it to the AFC Championship, showing that they were clearly the two best teams.

    Who will win the battle between the two best AFC quarterbacks, and is it possible for an opponent to win in Seattle? Tune in this Sunday and watch both games to find out.

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  • Tom Brady Defeats Luck, Next Up Manning

    Tom Brady Defeats Luck, Next Up Manning

    The New England Patriots beat up the Indianapolis Colts last night in the AFC Championship Game. The offensively charged Patriots won 43-22, but surprisingly the victory had very little to do with quarterback Tom Brady. In fact, the future Hall of Famer, three time Super Bowl Champ and perennial top-ranked passer only threw for 198 yards with no touchdowns.

    The Patriots passing game has been limited. No Aaron Hernandez, no Danny Woodhead, no Wes Welker, no Rob Gronkowski. Coach Bill Belichick needed to find a better way to defeat the Colts. And he did, on the ground. The Patriots typically use a running back by committee approach. Last night, however, most of the heavy lifting was accomplished by LeGarrette Blount who ran for 166 yards and four touchdowns.

    On the other side of the ball, Andrew Luck made some great plays. He was somehow able to survive last week’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs by staging a miraculous comeback even though he threw three interceptions. Belichick’s defense was not going to let the same thing happen. Luck threw four interceptions last night, including one pick on his first possession that got ran back for a defensive touchdown. Not a great way for the young signal caller to start the game against the number two ranked team in the AFC .

    It’s hard to believe that it’s been nine years since Brady won his third and last Super Bowl. In order for the 36-year-old quarterback to tie his childhood idol Joe Montana’s four rings, he’ll need to get through the Denver Broncos next week in the AFC Championship Game in Denver. It will be another Brady versus Manning meeting. The match up between two of the game’s elites has easily become one of the greatest rivalry in all of sports.

    The two quarterbacks have faced each other a total of 12 times. Brady has the edge at 8-4, however, seven of those wins were ultimately decided by a touchdown. The winner of Sunday’s game will earn the right to represent the AFC at Superbowl XLVIII on February 2nd.

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  • Denver Broncos – Is Manning Leaving?

    Denver Broncos – Is Manning Leaving?

    As the top seeded Denver Broncos battle their way through the AFC Championships, beating the San Diego Chargers today could land them facing the New England Patriots next week in Denver, on Sunday, January 19th.

    The problem is the Chargers aren’t going to be that easily defeated. In the recent season meetings they share an even split (one win one loss each) with the Dec 12th game breaking Denver’s perfect record at Mile High Stadium.

    But if Denver loses today, it could mean the end of Hall of Fame QB Peyton Manning’s football career.

    Manning injured his neck in a game against the Washington Redskins on Oct. 22, 2006. Dungy recalled that ” Manning’s neck was wrenched and his helmet ripped off when he took a hit by Andre Carter followed by a hit from Phillip Daniels”.

    That injury kept him out of the entire 2011 season and was a big part of the Indianapolis Colts, who he gave his entire career, letting him go. He signed with Denver in 2012 and has set league records for single season touchdowns and passing yards.

    In March, Manning will undergo a required physical exam to check the status of his neck injury in an effort to determine the extent of the nerve damage he suffered, and if it is healing. Manning had trouble with is throwing arm after the injury due to nerve problems.

    If his March physical shows a chance that the neck could be injured again, Manning has said that he will strongly consider leaving the Denver Broncos and retiring from the NFL.

    The 37-year-old Manning raised speculation about his future this past week when he said, “The light is at the end of the tunnel for me, no question.”

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • John Elway Or Peyton Manning – Who’s The Better QB

    Not many can match John Elway in stamina, or thrills. Elway participated in nine Pro Bowl selections and appeared in five Super Bowls for the Denver Broncos, winning two of them.

    Elway entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004, and was eventually named executive vice president of football operations for the Broncos in 2011.

    His stamina is legendary – known as the 4th quarter QB – and famous for his “cannon arm” there wasn’t anyone better to watch. He did get a reputation for getting to Super Bowls, and losing, a rep he tried hard to overturn, but he did. He eventually won 2 Super Bowls, consecutively – first against the Packers in Super Bowl XXXII – then the Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII.

    “I couldn’t be happier about my career. I don’t know that Joe Montana could have enjoyed his four Super Bowl wins as much as I enjoyed my two because he never lost. The Super Bowl is the ultimate win, but it’s also the ultimate loss. The high was higher because I felt the lowest of the low.”
    – John Elway

    Now, with similar drive, talent and 4th quarter tenacity, along comes Peyton Manning. Manning has contributed to the Denver Broncos being on top again – with a 2013 record of 12 wins 3 losses and the division leaders.

    Manning’s style is more reserved than Elway’s but the Denver Post said about him: Manning, deservedly, is the man of the moment. His precision passing, intense leadership and narrow-eyed intensity on the field, combined with his aw-shucks demeanor off the field have made him Denver’s darling.

    Manning tends to stay in the pocket, but his precision is unmistakable. He’s a pro at putting that ball where it needs to go, remember that 50th TD pass to Eric Decker this season.

    But Elway threw caution to the wind – Denver Post called him, a gambler and an improviser.

    “John Elway,” the late Pat Summerall once said, “is the master of the inconceivable pass thrown to the unreachable spot.”

    Elway’s arm strength, running ability and intuitiveness, with some recklessness thrown in made him the one to watch. He was exciting and forever surprising fans.

    But when it comes to stats – Manning has Elway beat. Elway’s numbers in passing are nothing compared to Manning’s. Elway threw 51,475 career yards, and achieved 300 touchdowns – as well as running 3,407 yards.

    Manning, on the other hand, has thrown 64,698 yards – 487 touchdowns with a record breaking season 51 touchdown passes. The record set by the Patriots QB – Brady, in 2007.

    But really, it all comes down to style – and when it comes to style and heart throbbing intense games, Elway was definitely the one to watch.

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  • NFL Playoff Scenarios: Week 16 Is Over, And Playoff Picture Is Wide Open?

    It does not normally come to this point, but after 16 weeks of the season, several teams still have a chance to make the playoffs. In a number of possible NFL playoff scenarios, the NFC is especially wide open with only two teams that have clinched the playoffs.

    Meanwhile, the AFC is slightly more clear with five teams that have clinched, although three teams are 8-7, and will battle it out in week 17 for the sixth spot.

    The NFL has seen a number of teams go up and down throughout the year, but the two teams that have remained at the top throughout the season have remained to be the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks.

    Several playoff scenarios are possible still, and fans will have to wait until the end of next week in order to find out the fate of a number of teams still.

    For at least the second year in a row, the NFC East’s final game between the Eagles and Cowboys will ultimately determine which team will win the division, and go to the playoffs.

    The NFC North is also host to a similar situation in which the Green Bay Packers will be playing the Chicago Bears with the winner taking the division. It is a bit of an odd year for the NFC North, a division that saw the Detroit Lions have a record of 6-3, only to see their season crumbling down after losses in five of their past six games, and losing the opportunity to play in the post-season.

    Things have changed somewhat since the scenarios were released at the end of week 15, with the AFC getting the four teams other than the Broncos in, and the Panthers have also clinched since then, becoming the only other NFC team to receive a berth other than the Seahawks.

    This was certainly the year for Detroit to win, since the Bears and Packers have been playing without their starting quarterbacks for much of the season, but continued to beat themselves with turnovers throughout the second half of the season.

    Turning to the NFC West, things get really interesting as the Seattle Seahawks are the only team to have clinched a playoff spot in the division, and were the first in the league to do it, but two other teams have playoff-worthy records.

    The 49ers and Cardinals both have playoff-worthy records, and if the 49ers are to win tonight, then they would already clinch a spot, although if they win next week, along with the Panthers and Seahawks losing, then they have a chance to earn the top spot in the playoffs. However, if the 49ers were to lose, both teams would have a record of 10-5, before playing each other in week 17.

    The New Orleans Saints are also fighting for the second wild card spot in the NFC, and are likely to get it with their final game being against the Buccaneers.

    Things are shaping up a lot easier with the NFL playoff scenarios in the AFC, as five of the spots are already secured, but the sixth could go to one of four different teams- Miami Dolphins, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, and San Diego Chargers. The scenarios for each of those teams getting in can get very complicated, and while the Miami Dolphins currently sit in the sixth position, a win will not be enough to get them in.

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  • Peyton Manning Breaks TD Record – Now at 51

    Who would have thought any quarterback for the Denver Broncos could ever measure up to the Hall of Fame great, John Elway? After all – it was Elway that led the Broncos to two Superbowl wins. They won Super Bowl XXXII and Super Bowl XXXIII in their 1997 and 1998 seasons.

    But it looks as if the Broncos have scored, big, with Peyton Manning.

    Not only have the Bronco’s clinched their playoff birth at the top of the AFC West – they’ve broken some other records as well. But, the important highlight of the day against the Texans – was Peyton topping Tom Brady’s former single-season record of 50 touchdown passes, set in 2007. Tom Brady is the quarter back for New England Patriots.

    Although Manning had previously established the record by throwing 49 TD passes in 2004, he’s gotten back on top again. Manning did it on a 25-yard pass to Julius Thomas with only 4:28 remaining. Just 2½ minutes earlier, he tied the mark with a 20-yard pass to Eric Decker.

    The Broncos already had a spot in the playoffs, but their victory today against The Houston Texans, combined with Kansas City’s loss to Indianapolis, gave them the division crown. They could secure home-field advantage throughout the playoffs if New England doesn’t win its late game at Baltimore.

    Manning made the record-setting throw to Thomas and walked toward the end zone, where his teammates celebrated the record-breaking victory with him.

    Decker got the ball after the touchdown and tucked it in the side of his jersey, where it remained as he walked off the field. Manning will keep that record-breaking football.

    Today was a great game for Manning with 296 passing yards in the first half, and the record-setting performance tops an excellent season for Manning. The big question facing him, and the Denver Bronco fans now is whether he can also win his second Super Bowl ring, perhaps this season?

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  • Broncos Game Stabbings Might Not Be Game-Related

    Some people may have taken the Broncos at home defeat to the Chargers too personally in a bizarre turn of events. As fans were leaving the stadium, several of men became mixed up in a confrontation that resulted in multiple stabbings. Denver police have confirmed three individuals were hospitalized due to stab wounds. One of the men was said to be in critical condition. There are also reports of a possible fourth victim, but no one has been identified as of yet. The three men thought to be responsible for the attack are in police custody.

    The incident was first reported a few minutes before 10:00PM. The authorities are continuing to interview witnesses in an attempt to figure out exactly what lead to the bloody encounter.

    Says Denver police spokesman Sgt. Steve Warneke, “Detectives will be interviewing people throughout the night, trying to sort out who did what.” Stadium officials had promised in an official statement that they will work with authorities to “gather more information” regarding the incident.

    Even though the mystery surrounding the confrontation has yet to be revealed, there is good reason to assume it’s crazy sports fans acting out.

    In September at a 49ers game, a man was hospitalized following a fight that allegedly stemmed from his having urinated on another man’s car. During the same game a woman claimed to have been attacked by a rival female fan. One of the more memorably chilling fan encounters occurred about a decade ago, where a man was shot and killed over a disagreement involving baseball teams.

    In fact, fan violence over sports is increasingly the norm these days. There are few things that bring passions higher than sports, but at some point, one has to take a step back. Is a favorite team really worth spilling the blood of a total stranger? Is it worth spending the rest of your life in jail?

    These are likely questions the apprehended are asking themselves right now, if it turns out to have been yet another pointless fan confrontation. The truth of the matter should be revealed in the coming days.

    Image: Denver Broncos Official Facebook

  • Wes Welker Injured In Broncos Win, Unlikely To Play Thursday

    Wes Welker left yesterday’s game with a concussion, and it looks like it may be serious enough to keep him out of their next game. Welker is playing in his first season for the Broncos after enjoying great success with Tom Brady and the Patriots for several years.

    During the Broncos game that was played on Sunday, Wes Welker was forced to leave before halftime, due to a hard hit that he suffered, which lead to a concussion. This is the second concussion that he has suffered in the past four weeks, after suffering the same injury against the Kansas City Chiefs on November 17.

    In yesterday’s game, Welker appeared dazed following the hit that was delivered from Titans’ safety Bernard Pollard. He went low in an attempt to make a catch late in the second quarter, and received a hit in the head as Pollard tried to break up the pass.

    Luckily for the Broncos, they have been able to win both games that he has been injured in, but Welker is one of the top receivers in the league, and certainly Peyton Manning’s favorite target on the field, just as he was for Brady. Despite losing Welker, the Broncos beat the Titans 51-28, and clinched a spot in the playoffs with a record of 11-2.

    Wes Welker is now subject to the NFL’s concussion protocol, which baseline testing on Monday. Le’Veon Bell of the Pittsburgh Steelers also suffered a concussion recently in an NFL league that seems to leave players injured more often than in the past.

    Unfortunately for Broncos fans, even if he were cleared to play this week through the test, he would still be unable to play in Thursday’s game against the San Diego Chargers.

    The protocol states that a player who is cleared for activity the day after a concussion is only able to participate in the non-contact parts of practice on Thursday, and with this week’s game being on a Thursday, that does not allow him to play.

    Along with Peyton Manning, Wes Welker has been an important part of the Broncos offense that has been destroying its opponents throughout the season, especially in the first half of the season.

    Before leaving the game with his injury, Wes Welker was able to catch five passes for 61 yards and 1 touchdown. In the 2013 season, Welker has 73 receptions for 778 yards and 10 touchdowns.

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  • Arrowhead Homicide: Three Arrested after Man Dies

    Kansas City Police Chief Darryl Forte announced that a death that occurred in the parking lot of Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs, is being investigated.

    There is no official update from police at this time, but KCTV reports that a man and his son returned to their Jeep in Parking Lot A during the game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday to find someone sitting in their SUV, “rifling through the vehicle.” A struggle then ensued between the two men.

    As the man and the Jeep owner began to fight, the owner’s young son ran for help. The man found in the Jeep, described as in his mid 20s, collapsed onto the pavement during the fight and was rushed to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

    Police officers were called to the scene at 5:20, arresting three persons of interest.

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    Kansas City police Officer Darrin Snapp said an autopsy will be vital in determining the cause of death since the man wasn’t stabbed or shot.

    “The main thing we’re trying to figure out now is exactly how this person died. The hospital says there’s no obvious signs of how he passed away, so we’re still waiting on that. We’re going to investigate it as a homicide until we find out exactly how the person died,” Snapp said.

    “Everyone was very cooperative when we got here,” Snapp said. “Everyone that we believed was involved is still here and we’re talking to them. Right now they’re persons of interest. Like I said, until we find out exactly how this person passed away, we’re going to investigate it as a homicide. They’re not suspects right now until we find out exactly what happened.”

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