Simply uttering Peyton Manning’s name is enough to induce nightmares for NFL defensive coordinators. Manning has been as close to unstoppable as one can be in the 2013 season: as of Week 5, he’d racked up 1,884 passing yards, 20 passing touchdowns and only one interception. Suffice to say, he leads the NFL in all those categories; the league average is 1,200 yards, just seven touchdowns and four interceptions.
The statistics show Manning is on a tear for the ages, and opposing defenses have yet to come close to slowing him down. How do you stop the man? While he seems an immovable force, Manning is only human, after all.
Win on first down
A win for the defense on first down would encompass limiting the Denver offense to as much as one yard on the play. Manning is arguably the most cerebral quarterback of all-time: when Manning sees a run defense, he opts out to a pass play and vice versa, giving him unlimited options. Stuffing a first down play limits Manning’s options, making his offense more predictable.
A second and long play is generally a passing down in order to make third down more manageable, which allows the defense to prepare for the pass by bringing in an extra defensive back. Manning doesn’t have to pass on second down, as a run play is still very much available, but it still does limit his options, ever so slightly.
Third downs have been no issue for Manning, as the Broncos rank first in third-down conversion percentage, but constantly putting Manning in a precarious position applies more pressure on the offense throughout the game.
Eat the clock
The best defense is a great offense, and the best defense against Manning is to keep him on the bench. Dallas provided a strategy in their Week 5 tilt with Denver, owning possession for much of the first quarter and jumping out to a 14-point lead.
Successful runs, short passes and third down conversions are keys to sustaining six, even seven-minute long drives, which often end in seven points. These are the types of drives an opposing offense must produce in order to be successful against the Broncos. Denver is still able to score in lightning quick fashion, so this is by no means foolproof strategy, but it might go a long way in beating the Broncos over the course of a 60-minute game.
Apply pressure, quickly!
It is no secret that Peyton Manning is not the fleetest of foot; he sits in the pocket and conducts his aerial assault without much movement. The conundrum is that, while a defense can’t let Manning sit in the pocket unpressured, he is also able to get rid of the ball quickly. Pressure must be applied, but it’s got to get to him fast.
A defense can’t allow Manning to get his feet set, or else, say good night. Quick pressure won’t happen every play; it requires a good rush move inside or to blow past the blocker. The blitz doesn’t even have to end in a sack. It can be just enough to get in Manning’s kitchen to disrupt his timing. A rushed Manning may even force a bad enough throw to result in a turnover.
Say a Little Prayer
Sometimes greatness doesn’t slow down, and it sure seems that way each time Peyton Manning has stepped onto an NFL field this year. Maybe the best way to stop the man is a perfect game, or perhaps, just a little luck.
