Peyton Manning Renders Bold Prediction on the Payton/Wilson Union

If anyone knows what it takes to win in the NFL, it's Peyton Manning.

Former Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning has laid down family roots in the Mile High City for over a decade now. 'The Sheriff' understands that, even when times are tough, the Broncos are the beating heart of the sports-obsessed city. 

The recent successful runs of both the Colorado Avalanche and Denver Nuggets have put them on an almost level footing with the traditionally dominant Broncos. Manning referenced the healthy landscape of the Colorado sports scene when he checked in with ESPN's Stephen A. Smith this week. 

During their brief chat, the former five-time NFL MVP made a few observations that came without a tinge of jealousy on how the Broncos have fallen behind in terms of competitive relevance ever since he won Super Bowl 50 and rode off into the sunset of retirement.

"I've been living in Denver for 11 years now," Manning told Smith. "Football town, hockey town and now a basketball town. It's been great and it's been a fun run to watch these guys."

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For the Broncos' losing narrative to change, much will depend on how well new head coach Sean Payton gets quarterback Russell Wilson back in a groove. Both Payton and Wilson visited with Manning courtside at the Nuggets' first game of the NBA Finals on Thursday.

Pleasantries were likely all that were exchanged this time around, but Manning has seen enough to believe that the pair can have a successful working partnership.

"Sean has brought some new juice here. He's going to get the best out of Russell," Manning said. "Russell feels rejuvenated as well. I like my Broncos."

The Broncos' push to climb out of the AFC West doldrums won't be easy, due to the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs still being the team to beat. Payton's no-nonsense, hard-working approach to the task at hand likely appeals to Manning, and if the Broncos are to catch up with the high-flying Chiefs, that relentless quest to improve will be crucial.

No interview with Manning would ever be complete without him bringing out his famously dry sense of humor. This time he used the Chiefs’ dominance to illicit a laugh when he said he wished "the Chiefs would get out of the division."

Wishful thinking indeed from the Hall-of-Famer, but the stubborn reality is that only hard work and perseverance will swing momentum back in the Broncos' favor.

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