Here's some late-breaking news - the Broncos win again - and Peyton Manning is fine! But, social media and sports columns are littered with fickle fans calling for the end of the Manning era in Denver.

Football fans are a fickle bunch. Sometimes they have extremely short memories while at other times they don't forget a single thing.

I get it. We live in a what-have-you-done-for- me- lately world. It doesn't matter what you did 10  years ago, or 3 years ago -- last year - or even last week! Peyton Manning has had a Hall of Fame career and has had three stellar seasons with the Denver Broncos.

But, for those that are hitting the panic button on Peyton Manning, it's time to shut up already. Manning is fine. And he still remains the Broncos' best hope to get them back to the Super Bowl.

On the Mile High Report, Peter Baron says "Peyton Manning is no longer a good QB." and "Peyton is officially a bad quarterback." Are you kidding me? Peter, are  you really an idiot, or are you just playing one for Halloween?

It's no secret that Peyton Manning isn't the same quarterback he used to be. The same could be said of any player in the NFL still playing at age 39. But, to suggest that he should be benched in favor of Brock Osweiler is the most absurd thing I have heard in the first five weeks of the season. Wait! No.It's the most absurd thing I have heard in over 40 years of watching the NFL.

Let's throw stats out the window and look at the facts - and results.

The Denver Broncos are 5-0 - which is the only stat  and result that really matters. Yes, the Broncos could have very well lost to the Ravens and the Chiefs and the Raiders. But, they didn't - partly because of big defensive plays and partly because the Peyton Manning-led offense did just enough to get the job done - and in the final analysis that's all they need to do.

The fact is, because the defense has been so good this year, the Broncos haven't needed Manning to throw for 300 yards and 4  touchdowns a game. That is a good thing.

One reason why Denver's scoring offense has struggled this season because they haven't been getting the job done in the red zone - which is largely due to play calling - and the absence of a legitimate running game.

Against the Raiders, the passing game of the Broncos got them a first down just inside the five-yard line. After two running plays, the Broncos were only at the 2, which is pathetic and unacceptable. On third down, Manning delivered a strike into the hands of Demaryius Thomas, who failed to latch on in the back of the end zone. Everyone who is whining about Manning not having any zip on his fastball should talk to Thomas about that because that pass  was flat out blazing.

By the way, there was another potential touchdown pass dropped when Ronnie Hillman couldn't hold on to a nicely thrown ball from Peyton. Peyton is fine!

The Broncos have absolutely no running game -- and it has essentially been that way since the last part of last season, when they suddenly decided they need to run the ball more, despite the fact that their offense was absolutely pulverizing opposing defenses up to that point.

(Ezra Shaw/Getty Images Sport)
(Ezra Shaw/Getty Images Sport)
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Coach Gary Kubiak says the Broncos need to be committed to the run, but it's hard to commit to something that's only getting a couple of yards a whack. The Denver running backs C.J. Anderson, Ronnie Hillman, and Juwan Thompson have had success in the past, so I doubt that it has anything to do with lack of talent or the way they are running. That leaves one explanation - the offensive line.

Yes, the fact is, the Broncos' struggles are rooted in the struggles of the offensive line, which has suffered from injury and free agent losses. We knew there could be issues there this season - and there is.

Manning has already been sacked 12 times this season. Yes, I realize that Manning is taking more sacks than he used to in an attempt to keep himself from getting hurt, but the fact is, the offensive line protection has been leaky at best. Actually, the protection was a little better on Sunday with Manning going down twice. But, the unusually high number of  quarterback sacks have made things difficult for this offense, putting it repeatedly in 2nd and long and 3rd and long situations.

Seven interceptions through 5 games are quite un-Peyton like, but you have to consider the fact that he's dealing with a number of new receivers, a new offensive system, along with a shaky offensive line. And, with the struggles of the running game, it's likely Manning has pressed more than usual in an effort to try and make a play. which has led to some turnovers?

No, his play has not been flawless - and he would be the first to admit it. But, there's no way on God's green earth that you can pin the Broncos offensive struggles on Peyton Manning. And to suggest he should be benched in favor of Brock Osweiler - who may or may not be the quarterback of the future is completely ridiculous.

So, to the Peyton Manning doubters and haters ------shhhhhhhhhhh!

 

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