Peyton Manning’s legacy

Super Bowl Sunday is finally here, so we can finally get to the game as opposed to the endless talk out there on the web and all the cable channels. The game has been analyzed from every possible angle, and while opinions vary greatly on who will win, many expect this to be a close game and a classic Super Bowl. You can be sure that bets are flowing into the sportsbooks in Las Vegas and betting enthusiasts all over the world are researching various bets, including the famous Super Bowl prop bets and a list of free bet offers.

The most interesting angle here involves Peyton Manning versus the Seattle defense. We’ve seen so many examples of high-powered offenses getting stuffed in the Super Bowl, with notable examples being Jim Kelly’s Buffalo Bills who seemed unstoppable untile they ran into the New York Giants defense and an offense that ground out the clock. We also saw a diffeent Giants defense stuff Tom Brady when he had some of his best offenses. Even though they won their Super Bowl, the “Greatest Show on Turf” Rams were definitely slowed down by the Titans, and then they ended up losing to the Patriots.

We’ve also seen plenty of offensive explosions, particularly in the 1980s when Joe Montana was racking up big numbers in the Super Bowls. But he faced some pretty weak defenses in those games.

So the big offense versus tough defense storyline is front and center here, and it’s magnified due to the involvement of Peyton Manning. Manning has gotten some grief for mediocre playoff and Super Bowl performances, and now he has another chance to enhance his legacy with this matchup. The important aspect of Manning’s game is that he’s an excellent tactician, so he won’t be afraid to use the running game if necessary to keep Seattle off balance, unlike Jim Kelly who seemed determined to win the game with his arm and then paid the price. On the other hand, we’ve seen Manning get frustrated by the great Patriot defenses in the past. Can that happen here?

Which then brings us to his legacy. If Manning loses, there will be those who hold that against him. That’s just the way these things go. He is one of the greatest QBs ever already. The question is how many people try to argue he belongs at the top of that list. If he wins today, he will be the only quarterback to win Super Bowls with more than one team, and that will certainly add to his legacy.

So be prepared to have this topic discussed endlessly after the game.

  

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Aaron Paul, Laura Prepon and Ashley Sky at Playboy Party

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NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 31: Actor Aaron Paul with Playboy Bunnies attend The Playboy Party at The Bud Light Hotel Lounge, on Friday, January 31, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Playboy)

All images couretsy of Buffalo David Bitton at the Playboy Party at the Bud Light Hotel

It’s been a good time to be Aaron Paul as the incomperable “Breaking Bad” wrapped up it’s final season. You can see he’s enjoying himself as he poses with some Playboy Bunnies at the Playboy Party at the Bud Light Hotel in New York City. The Super Bowl parties are in high gear. The lovely Laura Prepon was also there as well along with Nelly and other celebrities.

Beautiful and sexy Ashley Sky also caught our attention and we have some great pics in the slideshow above and also below. Ashley is a spokesperson for Buffalo David Bitton jeans, and stars in the Buffalo Pro Marketing Initiative with Houston Rocket’s small forward, Chandler Parsons.

The Playboy Party At The Bud Light Hotel Lounge - Inside

  

Duck hunting with Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Diet Dew

It’s time for Super Bowl commercials, and here’s the new one from Mountain Dew featuring Dale Earnhardt Jr.

  

UGG Australia launches first-ever mobile pop-up

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On Friday, January 31st and Saturday, February 1st, UGG Australia will launch its first mobile pop-up shop in New York City in front of Penn Station.

Dubbed the UGG Warming Truck, the igloo-themed truck will have a giant pair of UGG earmuffs attached to the top of the vehicle. UGG will be handing out free hot chocolate to passersby and also selling UGG Australia’s coveted cold weather accessories (hats, scarves, mittens, gloves) for men, women and kids to keep everyone warm during the lead up to the Big Game. The UGG Warming Truck will be located in front of Penn Station (7th Avenue between West 30th and 32nd Streets) on Friday, January 31st from 8am to 5pm and Saturday, February 1st from 9am to 6pm.

Along with the UGG Warming Truck, the four UGG Australia stores around New York City will run individual in-store contests for consumers to win a pair of tickets to the Big Game on February 2nd. Consumers can enter to win by visiting an UGG Australia store during business hours to fill out a contest entry (one entry per person, winner must be 18 or older, no purchase necessary) from January 23rd to January 31st. Four winners for the four pairs of tickets will be randomly selected from the valid entries and will be notified on Saturday, February 1st by 9am ET to claim their tickets. Official rules can be found here.

  

Terry Bradshaw talks Pepsi Halftime, the Super Bowl and the “Immaculate Reception”

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40 years ago this month, fifth-year NFL quarterback Terry Bradshaw came of age. The former #1 overall draft pick in 1970 had struggled in his first five regular seasons, averaging just 1,504 passing yards per season, while throwing 48 touchdowns and 81 interceptions.

But in the 1974 playoffs, something clicked. In wins over the Buffalo Bills, the Oakland Raiders, and finally, in the Super Bowl IX against the Minnesota Vikings, Bradshaw played the best football of his career, steadying himself long enough to let a powerful running game and legendary “Steel Curtain” defense dictate the tempo of games and slowly bleed out opponents.

In 1975, Bradshaw set a career high in passing yards, posted a 2-to-1 touchdown to interception ratio, was named to the Pro Bowl and guided the Steelers to a victory in Super Bowl X. Over the next four years, the Steelers won two more Super Bowls (XIII and XIV) because of Bradshaw and a ferocious defense, not in spite of him.

The evolution of Bradshaw as a quarterback can be neatly surmised via a casual glance at his statistics in each of the four Super Bowls which he participated in and won. From throwing just 14 passes for 96 yards and one touchdown in his first Super Bowl, to throwing 21 for 309 and two touchdowns and winning the MVP Award in his fourth, Bradshaw rebuilt himself and completely changed the trajectory of his career.

After a brutal first five years as a professional quarterback, Bradshaw was named NFL MVP in 1978 and was the first quarterback to win three, and then four Super Bowls, collecting two Super Bowl MVP awards in the process on his way to Canton, Ohio and a spot in the NFL Hall of Fame.

We spoke to Terry about his progression as a quarterback, the Super Bowl and the Steelers dynasty of the 1970s.

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