I Want To See Peyton Throw One More Touchdown

      2015 has not been the best year for Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning. Actually, it's been the worst statistically. 2,180 yards passing (6.8 avg) nine touchdowns, 17 interceptions and a quarterback rating (QBR) of 67.6. All of that came through just nine games this season. In his last game played this season, against the Kansas City Chiefs, Manning was 5/20 pass completions (25 percent) with no touchdowns and four interceptions - Manning was pulled from the game and was later diagnoses with a torn planter fascia in his left foot - in that game, Manning passed Brett Favre for most all-time passing yards. He [Manning] has been rehabbing and getting treatment on his foot to try and come back from the injury. However, with Brock Osweiler playing so well, it's hard to tell if Manning will see the field again.

Manning, 39, was having the worst season of his 18-year career, since his rookie season. Not only could you see it in the numbers but watching him you could tell that something was different about him. His deep ball didn't look the same, his decision making and reaction time seemed to be a bit slower and he didn't seem to have much  "touch" on his sideline passes as he did in the past.

Growing up, I remember watching games of Peyton Manning and I knew that he was going to tear a defense apart with his arm. I felt that Manning was going to be the greatest of all-time or at least in the top three. I saw him good players into hall-of-fame players and mediocre into very good. It seemed like every season you could count on at least 11 wins from Manning and the Colts.

After going through neck surgery in 2010-11 I didn't know if Manning would ever play again ... or if he would be the same player, had he returned to the field ... but I knew how I would remember him. He was released by the Indianapolis Colts because they didn't think he was going to return to his old form and I guess they didn't want to invest in the unknown, making Manning one of the most sought after free agents in NFL history. Manning would choose to play for John Elway in Denver with the Broncos in the 2012 season - after being out for the entire 2011 season recovering from neck surgery - and we saw Peyton Manning return to his old form, passing for 4,600 yards, 37 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. In 2013 Manning would lead the Broncos to their first Super Bowl appearance since 1998. However, they would be devoured by the formidable defense of the Seattle Seahawks.

2015 is a year that sports has shown me that I am getting older. Not only me, though, but the great players that I watched growing up. Kobe Bryant announced this season would be his last, The New York Yankees played their first season with no Derek Jeter on the roster in nearly 20 years, Peyton Manning looks worse than some of the average quarterbacks around the league.

The Broncos announced that Brock Osweiler will continue to be the starting quarterback. Understandably so, Manning is still in a walking boot but he's been said to have been making great progress. The Broncos (10-3) look to be on pace to make the playoffs and win their division. However, if Osweiler continues to win games, what could this mean for Manning when he's cleared to play? Will he play another game this, in what could be his final, season?

Peyton Manning is the all-time leader in passing touchdowns (539), passing yards (71, 871), and second in completions (6,120). 

When I think of the way that Michael Jordan left the game, on the last shot for the championship (I don't acknowledge his year with the Wizards), or when John Elway retired on top after winning the Super Bowl in 1998. If Peyton has played his last game as an NFL quarterback it'll be on 5/20 passing for less than 50 yards with four interceptions. I don't want to see one of the greatest athletes of all-time leave the game in that fashion, sorry. I just want to see Peyton line-up in the shotgun formation and throw one more touchdown pass. I don't care if it's a five-yard pass or 55 yards, I just need to see it happen one last time.