NFL: 5 Teams Peyton Manning Could Vault into Immediate Superbowl Contention

For the first time in his fourteen-year career, Peyton Manning missed the entire season, and the Indianapolis Colts finished the season 2-14.  The Colts hold the number-one pick in the 2012 NFL draft, and most experts believe they will draft Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck.  Although it’s not guaranteed at this point, there is a possibility that Manning will not be wearing a Colts uniform next season.

Manning and the Colts haven’t missed the playoffs since the 2002 season.  Manning has maintained excellent health throughout his career and has missed few games due to injury.  However, there are rumors circulating the Internet that Manning may not be able to recover from three neck surgeries, and will be forced into early retirement.

If Manning is able to continue his career and is traded by the Colts, it’s likely he will be able to choose the franchise he would like to end his career with.  Which team could he revive and turn into an immediate Superbowl contender?

Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins haven’t had a Pro Bowl quarterback under center since Dan Marino retired following the 1999 season.  The franchise hasn’t made the playoffs since 2008, when the wildcat offense surprised defenses around the league.  The Dolphins have an array of talent on their current roster that Manning could elevate.

Running back Reggie Bush had his best career as a pro, eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his career.  Manning would also have a huge target in wide receiver Brandon Marshall, who had 86 catches for over 1,000 yards this season.  Tight end Anthony Fasano would also be a valuable asset blocking and assisting Manning in short yardage situations.

The Dolphins defense is stingy, giving up only 313 points this season, which is less than any team in the AFC East and ranked fifth in the AFC.  Miami also ranked third in the league in run defense, averaging only 95.6 rush yards per game.

Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals had their best playoff run in franchise history when quarterback Kurt Warner led the team to the Superbowl in the 2008-2009 season.  The Cardinals finished the 2011 season 8-8 with inconsistency at quarterback.  Quarterback Kevin Kolb failed to meet expectations, and John Skelton filled in with Kolb being injured for a portion of the season.

Manning would have one of the best wide receivers in the game to target in Arizona with Larry Fitzgerald.  Fitzgerald is a six-time Pro Bowler with nearly 10,000 yards receiving in his career.  Two-time Pro Bowl tight end Todd Heap would give Manning a strong weapon blocking and receiving, and wide receiver Early Doucet could complement Larry Fitzgerald on the outside.  Running back Beanie Wells, who rushed for over 1,000 yards this season, would give Manning a strong presence in the back field.

Arizona’s defense is in the middle of the pack in the league, but they are formidable enough with Manning at quarterback to make a Superbowl run.  All-Pro defensive end Darnell Dockett leads a strong defensive line pressuring the opposing quarterback, and corner back Patrick Peterson is an emerging defensive star.

Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears had playoff hopes in the 2011 season until quarterback Jay Cutler was lost for the season.  Cutler, who has had his toughness questioned and has been highly inconsistent in his NFL career, was finally piecing together a good season.  Chicago boasts one of the top defenses in the league and has talent on offense that Manning could succeed with.

The Bears have one of the top running backs in the NFL with Matt Forte.  Forte missed the final four games of the season, but still gained nearly 1,000 yards on the ground, averaging 4.9 yards per rush behind an improved Bears offensive line.  Wide receiver Johnny Knox provides speed, and Roy Williams has the talent to be a Pro-Bowl caliber receiver with Manning passing him the ball.  Chicago also has the best return man in the league with Devin Hester.

The Bears have been one of the best defensive teams in the league under head coach Lovie Smith.  The defensive unit is lead by future hall-of-famer Brian Urlacher, defensive end Julius Peppers and corner back Charles Tillman.  The Bears' defense was fifth in the NFL in rushing yards allowed with 96.4 yards per game.  Manning has never had a top defense in Indianapolis, and, with a defense like Chicago has, Manning would be relieved of some of the pressure to score on every drive.

Minnesota Vikings

Although the Minnesota Vikings have a young rookie quarterback in Christian Ponder, there is no doubt the team would trade for Peyton Manning if he’s available.  The Vikings have already proven they are willing to win in the present, as they picked up Brett Favre for two seasons in 2009 and 2010.

The Vikings have the best running back in the league in Adrian Peterson.  Before Peterson tore his ACL, he rushed for 970 yards and twelve touchdowns, and the Vikings ranked fourth in the NFL in rushing.  Talented wide receiver Percy Harvin can spread the field with his speed, and receiver Devin Aromashodu is a valuable second receiver.  Veteran tight end Visanthe Shiacno has proven he can play at an elite level, having his best seasons with Brett Favre under center a couple of seasons ago.

The Vikings' defense was porous in the 2011 season, surrendering 449 points.  However, the defense was put in tough situations by the offense, which turned the ball over 22 times.  Defensive end Jared Allen continued to play at an elite level, recording 22 sacks.  The defense would fare better with Manning at quarterback, as they could be playing with leads and not being forced to defend a short field.

Dallas Cowboys

I know many will say that the Cowboys already have an elite quarterback with Tony Romo.  However, Dallas has had arguably the most talented team in the league since 2006 and has failed to make deep playoff runs.  Romo has choked repeatedly in big game situations, and although he had his best season as a pro in 2011, the Cowboys finished 8-8 and failed to make the playoffs.

The Cowboys have two talented wide receivers in Miles Austin and Dez Bryant.  Bryant is proving to be an unstoppable force in the NFL, receiving nearly 1,000 yards this season.  All-pro tight end Jason Witten is an elite tight end year in and year out and averaged 11.9 yards per catch and caught five touchdowns this season.  Dallas also discovered a gem with running back Demarco Murray.  Murray didn’t see full action until October 23^rd in St. Louis, and recorded 897 yards averaging 5.5 yards per rush.

The Dallas defense struggled throughout the season under first-year defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.  The defensive unit has proven it can play at an elite level as it did under head coach Wade Phillips.  With the offensive talent that the Cowboys possess, with Peyton Manning at quarterback the potential to be elite is limitless.  Manning could lead the Cowboys to NFC East dominance for the next three or four years, putting Dallas into immediate Superbowl contention.