Next season, the Colts will have a match-up against the Denver Broncos. This game would have already been billed as one of the most expected games of 2013, with the marquee match-up of Andrew Luck against Peyton Manning for the first time. This game looks even more interesting, due to the fact that fans in Indianapolis will now have to deal with their former quarterback throwing passes to one of their greatest rivals. Welker has always been a thorn in the side of the Colts franchise, and that sting will hurt even worse, to see him trying to score on passes from Peyton Manning.

The plot could thicken even further, if free agent defensive end/linebacker Dwight Freeney could ink a deal in Denver, as well. Freeney has been in talks with the Broncos, and could find himself joining Manning and Welker, as they all walk back into Lucas Oil Stadium to face the Colts.

January 27, 2013; Honolulu, HI, USA; AFC quarterback Peyton Manning of the Denver Broncos (18) and AFC quarterback Andrew Luck of the Indianapolis Colts (12) pass the ball during warm ups before the 2013 Pro Bowl against the NFC at Aloha Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Horseshoe Hero: Pro Bowl Addition

After last year’s embarrassing Pro Bowl, commissioner Roger Goodell threatened to rid the league of football’s historic All Star showcase game. But then again, Peyton Manning wasn’t in last year’s Pro Bowl. After missing the entire 2011-2012 season while recovering from a fourth next surgery, Manning returned to the NFL as a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback, earning more votes than any other player in the league. But unlike his 11 other Pro Bowl appearances, this time he earned the honor in a different uniform.

We all know the story. The Colts went a shocking 2-14 without Manning under center, and the team released him, drafted Andrew Luck, and cut several other notable Colts legends. The Colts overachieved and made it to the Wild Card round of the playoffs with the rookie Luck, and the Manning-led Broncos made it to the AFC divisional round after going 13-3 and locking up the AFC’s top seed. Both Luck and Manning made the Pro Bowl. Everyone seemingly won.

All week at the Pro Bowl, Manning has been advocating the game’s importance, encouraging his AFC teammates to play hard with hopes that Goodell would be convinced to keep the game in place. Manning believes that his Pro Bowl experiences helped him learn valuable lessons from the legends who played alongside him. He wanted to show how special the game was.

Mission accomplished.

Manning provided the best moments of the Pro Bowl by reuniting with two of his former Colts teammates. He threw 2 passes to Reggie Wayne – still a Colt – and it was a special sight to see the two hook up again on the field for old times sake. Manning and Wayne could probably run routes together in their sleep.

Later in the second quarter, something even more unprecedented occurred. Jeff Saturday, Manning’s longtime center with the Colts who signed with the Green Bay Packers of the NFC last offseason, took the field on the AFC side and lined up in front of Manning. He snapped Manning the ball, the crowd cheered, and my eyes teared up. Saturday, who has played 14 years in the NFL, will retire after the Pro Bowl. It was one of his very last snaps.

Manning did throw an impressive touchdown to AJ Green of the Cincinnati Bengals in the first quarter, but the scoring play paled in comparison to these others.

None of this would have been made possible had it not been for the Pro Bowl. These are the things that need to be kept in mind when evaluating the game’s importance in the future.

It’s hard to think that almost exactly a year ago, Manning had a teary-eyed press conference upon his exit from Indianapolis, thanking the fans and the franchise for letting him be their quarterback. For over a decade, there was little doubt that Manning would retire as an Indianapolis Colt. Not only was Manning the face of the franchise, he was one of the most iconic figures in the NFL. It took the perfect storm of odd occurrences to make the present situations possible for the Colts and the Denver Broncos.

Fast forward to present day, and Manning is preparing to lead the Broncos in a divisional playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens took down the upstart Colts in the wildcard playoff round last week, and now it’s up to the former Colts captain to retire Ray Lewis, and lead his new team to the AFC Championship game. Indianapolis fans should feel good that they still have a dog in the fight. Yes, if the Colts had beaten the Ravens, then this divisional game in Denver would have a much different feeling to it. As it stands now, fans of Manning and of the Colts can rest with the knowledge that at least they still have a chance for someone to defeat the Ravens, Houston Texans, and New England Patriots.

Perhaps Indianapolis fans weren’t quite ready to see the new Colts up against their former team captain. Fans will get that match-up next season, when Manning and the Broncos are scheduled to travel to play in Indianapolis. For now, even though it’s tough to see Peyton doing pizza commercials in a butt-ugly orange jersey, a victory for Manning is still a small victory for fans of the Indianapolis Colts.