The Possibility of a Manning vs. Manning Superbowl!

The quest for Superbowl XLIII begins today.  Twelve NFL Playoff teams will compete to have their names etched into the coveted Vince Lombardi Trophy, which is awarded to the team that wins the Superbowl.  If NFL history can repeat itself, maybe the last two Superbowl MVPs, who happen to be brothers, QB Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts and last season’s Superbowl MVP Eli Manning of the New York Giants will meet in this year’s Superbowl.  The NFL and the general public cannot dream of a better matchup than Manning vs. Manning for Superbowl XLIII; let us hope that it happens.

Interestingly enough, the last three Superbowl Champions entered the NFL Playoffs as Wild Card Weekend participants, the 2005-2006 Pittsburgh Steelers, the 2006-2007 Indianapolis Colts and the 2007-2008 NY Giants.  Therefore, no one should doubt that QB Peyton Manning can lead the 2008 Indianapolis Colts back to the Superbowl, even as a Wild Card team.  After all, Peyton has been named this season’s NFL MVP for the third time in his career, and the Colts are riding a nine game winning streak into the NFL Playoffs.

Eli Manning and the New York Giants may have an easier road to Superbowl XLIII than the Indianapolis Colts.  The Giants have earned a bye this weekend and home field advantage throughout the NFC Playoffs, which means no playoff road games for them!  The defending NFL Champion Giants could not ask for a better situation.

The NFL would gladly welcome a Manning vs. Manning Superbowl.  Can you imagine the NFL marketing campaign?  Honestly, the NFL should call it “The Manning vs. Manning Superbowl,” but I have no idea what the league’s marketing department would do.  But clearly, if the Manning brothers meet in this year’s Superbowl, then the game will be the highest watched Superbowl in NFL history.  Also, the amount of revenue that the NFL would generate from a Colts vs. Giants matchup should break all-time records because of the brothers’ popularity.  Regardless of the NFL’s desire to see the Colts and Giants in this year’s Superbowl, no one would be prouder than Peyton and Eli’s dad, former NFL QB Archie Manning.  Which team do you think Archie Manning will root for?

At present, we can only dream of the Manning vs. Manning Superbowl matchup.  Hopefully, it occurs this year because Peyton’s opportunities for another Superbowl win could be slipping away at age 32.  As true football fans, let us cheer for the Indianapolis Colts and New York Giants throughout this year’s NFL Playoffs.