New England Patriots fans have long held grudges against Peyton and Eli Manning, former star quarterbacks for the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos, and New York Giants, respectively. These two brothers represented significant hurdles for the Patriots during the storied Brady/Belichick era. But with both brothers now retired, the tides have turned, and Patriots fans can now root for one of the Mannings in the name of profit. Enter FanDuel’s Kick of Destiny.
So, what exactly is Kick of Destiny? This highly anticipated event is set to be broadcast live on Fox during the Super Bowl pregame show on February 9 at 3 p.m. ET, featuring the Manning brothers going head-to-head in a 25-yard field goal kicking competition. Each brother will take turns attempting the kick; if the first contestant makes it, the second has the chance to tie. But if the first brother misses, then the second will kick for the win! Should the match remain undecided after three rounds, the winner will be the Manning who kicked closest to the center target during the last round—a fitting tiebreaker for this competitive sibling duo.
Fans may recall the last two years, where Rob Gronkowski attempted the kick and unfortunately missed twice. Now, the spotlight shifts to the Mannings, offering fans fresh excitement as they gear up for the biggest game of the NFL season.
Participated interested fans can join the fun through the FanDuel Sportsbook app. Here’s how it works: After downloading or logging in to the app, users simply click on the Kick of Destiny icon on the homepage and make their picks on which brother they believe will win. But here’s the kicker—those who submit the right pick can share in $10 million worth of bonus bets, all to be distributed the Monday following the Super Bowl.
Participation is open from now until the matchup begins at 3 p.m. ET on Super Bowl Sunday. This new setup offers Patriots fans, and NFL enthusiasts alike, not only the thrill of watching the competition but also the chance to win substantial rewards.
For years, many Patriots fans viewed the Mannings predominantly as adversaries. With the launch of the Kick of Destiny competition, there’s now at least something fun for them to engage with amid the Super Bowl celebrations. This pivot to seeing the Mannings as entertaining figures, rather than mere rivals, surely adds another layer to the upcoming event, pivoting perceptions and energizing fandom.
While previous Super Bowls may have felt increasingly distant to the Patriots fanbase who’ve grown used to AFC domination, this twist makes it all about possible winnings and rooting for the veteran players. The chance to profit from the Manning brothers’ feats may be precisely what these fans have been searching for—not just with remote hope, but with active engagement.
With the Kick of Destiny, the NFL’s rich playoff tradition takes on fresh meaning. Fans will surely be excited to see how this fun narrative plays out on Super Bowl Sunday, all stemming from the competitive spirit and camaraderie of the Manning brothers as they paint yet another chapter onto the canvas of Super Bowl lore. The event promises to be as thrilling as the game itself, merging the past glories of quarterback prowess with modern fan engagement.
So, whether you’re cheering for Eli or Peyton, don’t forget to place your bet. After all, this newfound rivalry may be just the spark needed to rekindle excitement during the Super Bowl season, bringing even the most ardent Patriots fans on board with the legacy introduced by the Mannings.