In hindsight not surprising. Why not surprising?
(A) Carolina was showing a severe lack of maturity even as they racked up the wins. They were a team with little PO experience acting like they were PO invincible.
(B) When Cam can't do some damage with his legs therefore is forced to be a 100% pocket passer, it should be surprising to no one the offense would suffer significantly. That simply isn't his forte.
(C) Considering what Denver's D did to the Patriots O (thanks again OL!) it isn't surprising to see them shut down the Panthers. Shutting down the Patriots = you are extremely capable of shutting down anyone.
Good news! Don't listen to the "we;ll see if he retires", this was the last time we will have to hear media fawn over Manning in a playoff or any other NFL game. He got **** lucky to go out with a SB win,. He's done and got lucky. Bottom line: Great career, absolute HOFer, gave us some excellent Brady v Manning game watching over the years, all in all a very distinct positive for the NFL. Congrats to Manning now he can go strap his feedbag full of hay on --- then go away