I know it seems like he has more commercials than touchdown passes this season. And yes, maybe even the name Eli Manning has become more dependable and reliable than Peyton Manning when it comes to fantasy football this season. However, if we've learned anything over the years, it's that Peyton will always respond. He'll always have an answer for his critics and, of course, he'll always "cut that meat." Look, Peyton Manning has certainly done very few favors for his fantasy owners this season. He's been hobbling along like a drunk in a pickup basketball game for a good part of this season. He came to life against Houston in the final five minutes to arguably save the Colts', season and then he gave us a classic Manning performance in shredding the Ravens. Yet, he followed his prototypical game against the Ravens with a stinker last weekend in Green Bay.
Let's all take a deep breath and not panic just yet. I know it's been painful to watch, and, at times, brutal. However, we've just got to accept that consistency and health issues have plagued and will continue to plague Manning throughout the course of this year. As is the game of fantasy football, the thought process can change on a whim or, more importantly, on a week-to-week basis.
In this very space a few weeks ago I was preaching that Manning just wasn't going to be the factor he's been in the past and to brace for tough times. Well, I'm not completely flipping the opposite, but maybe I'm swaying my harsh evaluation ever-so-slightly. And it starts with Monday night's soon-to-be-epic battle in Tennessee against the undefeated Titans. While most fantasy
Look, Manning is getting dumped on all across this here internet. I've seen him ranked anywhere for 10th to 15th in Week 8 positional ranks. Really, there are going to be 14 better quarterbacks than Peyton Manning this weekend from a fantasy perspective? Forgive me for not buying it. I know it's the vaunted Tennessee defense and I know Manning looked like Scott Mitchell last weekend, but I'm still starting Manning with confidence this week.
Call me crazy, but I think not only do the Colts go into Tennessee and snag another season-saving victory, but Manning also delivers a vintage Manning performance. Of course, I know it's a stretch, and when it comes to fantasy football you should base your track record on recent weeks and not previous seasons. However, I refuse to believe that Manning doesn't respond to those subtle whispers that he's just not the same Peyton Manning anymore.
When the stakes get higher, Manning usually tends to rise. In a must-win game under the bright lights of Monday night football and the critics in his ear, Manning will deliver. That's right, start Manning with confidence despite what the naysayers are suggesting.
