Sunday Night Football Preview: Green Bay Packers vs. Denver Broncos

In years past, a matchup of this magnitude would have been considered a quarterback grudge match for the ages. In their primes, both of these passers have shown an innate ability to read defenses on the fly while being able to make pin point passes to their prolific receivers. While Aaron Rodgers hasn't shown any signs of regression, Peyton Manning hasn't looked like the legendary pocket passer that he used to be. Playing in his 18th season, Manning has seemingly succumbed to the inevitable proposition that father time cannot be evaded. Although Manning clearly makes the proper looks when targeting a receiver, the velocity and graceful touch that was once apart of Manning's passing repertoire has become a hinderance to the Denver Broncos. Despite Manning's frustrating shortcomings, the Broncos have developed into one of the best defensive teams in the league (have allowed only 17 points per game this year, 2nd in NFL).

However, despite the Broncos new found defensively charged identity, they have yet to be challenged by an offensive powerhouse. While the Broncos are currently undefeated on the season, their six victories have been won by eight point or less, and four of their six wins have come against teams with records currently below .500. Watching Manning and company narrowly cheat defeat has become a staple of how this team has stayed competitive despite the inconsistent performances of both the passing (240.8 passing yards per game, 18th in NFL) and running games (85 rushing yards per game, 31st in the NFL). Without a potent offense, the Broncos are simply a defensively inspired team that can only keep the listless Peyton Manning in tight games for so long.

For the Green Pay Packers, their primary mode of success will be predicated on the arm of the always reliable Aaron Rodgers. Not only is Aaron Rodgers a supremely accurate passer (68.1 completion percentage), he is also tenacious when it comes to launching the ball downfield for big gains (8.19 yards per pass attempt).

However, the most noticeable discrepancy between Manning and Rodgers is their margin for turnovers...and it's not even close. As usual, Rodgers has proven to be a superb talent when it comes to ball security as he has only thrown 2 INT's to Manning's 10 INT's. Worse for Manning still is the fact that he'll have to face the toughest defense in the league (16.8 points allowed in the league for Green Bay, 1st in NFL). Seeing how Manning has struggled against bottom tiered defenses such as the banged up Baltimore Ravens (26th in the league in points allowed) and the offensively scrappy albeit defensively challenged Oakland Raiders (21st in the league in points allowed), it's hard to imagine the Broncos having any type of success against a Packers team that is looking to make a run to the Super Bowl.

In the end, the legacy of Manning will likely take a turn for the worst in tonights matchup with the Packers. Although Manning is certainly a 1st ballot hall of fame inductee, his once reputable skill set has withered away noticeably, leaving the Broncos with a discouraged quarterback who simply doesn't have it anymore. Although Manning and company will keep the game somewhat respectable, the Broncos won't be able stifle a stacked Packers squad that will look to be 7-0 when all is said and done.

Final Verdict: Packers 28 Broncos 19