Tonight as the two minute warning hit, the Broncos still in possession of the ball and up by eight points, we all stopped breathing for a minute as San Diego's Corey Liuget went below the knees and took Peyton Manning down. Manning having just completed a 9 yard pass to Demaryius Thomas was struggling to get up. If your heart didn't drop, and think, or scream GET UP, GET UP, I am not sure if you realize how serious this could be. The clock stopped, a time out was called and the medical personal ran out onto the field to check the damage on our QB. Just to clarify in the NFL rule book, Rule 12, Section 2, Article 9 (e) A rushing defender is prohibited from forcibly hitting in the knee area or below a passer who has one or both feet on the ground, even if the initial contact is above the knee. However in note 2 it also states: It is not a foul if the defender swipes, wraps, or grabs a passer in the knee area or below in an attempt to tackle him.
So the question was it legal? No penalty was called and it seems as if the refs went with the exception. I personally disagree.
If you have been following the Broncos this year, Manning has been on the injury report since week 7, and a lot of speculation went around as he and several other players were given a day off in week eight before our match-up with the Redskins. Much of the attention went to Manning missing practice for the first time since becoming the Broncos star QB, both Coach Fox and Manning stating ankle problems as the reason for the day off. Coming off the BYE, Manning stated he was feeling better, but as he was sacked twice in the lower area in tonight’s game, the much needed rest on his ankles may not be enough. Monday Manning will go in for his second MRI in as little as three weeks. With the big game against KC next week and an excellent shot at a Super Bowl win, the team, fans and Manning are hoping for nothing but a normal MRI.
So what does this mean for next week? It’s the game we have been waiting for all season, the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs. We will host the Chiefs at home and Manning is not looking to miss out on this game. Feeling sore, and right now our superstar QB has no intentions of being sidelined. Thinking positive and looking at this from an outside perspective, Manning stayed in the game, he is a fighter. After all he endured throughout his surgeries and has come through superseding his previous MVP years, proves he is a fighter. After the take down Manning did what needed to be done, he got that 1st down, keeping focus on the game and not his pain. That 1st down gave us our eighth win, ending the game at 28-20 and moving our record to 8-1.
As week 11 begins and news about the injuries from tonight game and the MRI results on Manning are released, Broncos fans - Keep the Faith! One thing going forward Manning needs to be better protected, in the last 3 games Manning took some hard sacks, no excuses he is our QB and his protection needs to be tightened up. We need Manning and our weapons healthy; the next 3 games (KC, NE, and KC) are important games and will challenge us at every level.
So for tonight, here’s to a win, a healthy report for our players and the game of the season next week! Keep that Mile High Pride shinning fellow Bronco Fans!
K@tes
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