6 Interesting Facts About What Could Have Been Manning's Last Game
DENVER (CBS4) - Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning didn't put in a terribly impressive performance in Super Bowl 50. His offense had numerous three-and-outs throughout the game and stalled several times when they were in the red zone.
The following are some interesting facts about what could have been the 39-year-old veteran's final game in the NFL:
- Peyton Manning's last pass was a 2 point conversion.
The Broncos opted to go for two after their touchdown in the fourth quarter in order to make it so if the Panthers scored two touchdowns in the final minutes and converted two 2 point conversions, the game would have been tied. Manning completed a 16 yarder to receiver Bennie Fowler to get the 2 points they needed. But was it Manning's last pass ever in a pro game?
- His most important pass during the Super Bowl may have been an incompletion.
With 3:17 left in the game and Denver ahead 16-10, Manning attempted to throw to Demaryius Thomas in the endzone on third down. Instead of being forced to kick another field goal, Panthers cornerback Josh Miller was called for defensive holding and the Broncos got a fresh set of downs. That led to C.J. Anderson's touchdown run on the next play.
- His passer rating was 56.6, the fourth worst by the starting quarterback in a Super Bowl win.
That number alone tells you it's pretty clear Manning and the offense were not the stars of the show on Sunday. Von Miller deserved the game's Most Valuable Player award.
- He handed off 28 times.
Some of this was due to the fact that the Broncos were trying to milk time off the clock as the game wound down, but it's still interesting in light of the fact that he attempted 23 passes.
- He only targeted a tight end twice.
At one point in his lengthy career Manning relied on his tight ends nearly as much as his wide receivers. That was certainly not the case on Sunday. He attempted two passed to Owen Daniels in the Super Bowl and Daniels caught one of those for 18 yards.
- Kony Ealy sacked Manning three times, intercepted him and had a forced fumble of the quarterback.
If the Panthers had won the game, Ealy might have wound up the Super Bowl MVP. And if Manning happened to wake up rather sore on Monday morning, he has the Panthers defensive lineman to thank for that.
