We’ve made comparisons to Dan Marino and Tom Brady the last few weeks, we’ve praised their efforts on and off the field, and as we scrutinize them, we’ve also mentioned Peyton Manning in a short 2-3 sentence; So now, let’s focus on Peyton Manning. Again, we’ll try to focus on just Peyton Manning, so please forgive us if we happen to mention anyone else along the way.
Our dear Manning has been to 7 Pro Bowls, including 6 straight from 2002 to 2007, holds two MVP awards on 03-04, and also has many awards and honors that could fill several NFL history books. Now, how much does this matter to us writers and fans? We wonder what he had done to deserve such luck?
For years, Peyton had tried unsuccessfully to win the game, the great game! Tom Brady had already won three Super Bowls, injuring Manning and the Colts multiple times in the process. After years of reaching the postseason, but disappointing, many began to wonder if Manning would ever finish what Brady had already done three times.
In our stat book, he broke the mark for touchdown passes, passer rating, and back-to-back games with at least four touchdown passes in a single season in 2004, but none of that seemed to matter to those in most limits of the game. NFL (particularly fans). ..until he lifted the Lombardi Trophy.
In the early months of 2007, Peyton Manning led the Colts to Super Bowl XLI vs. the Chicago Bears. During the game, Chicago’s Devin Hester returned the kickoff 92 yards into the touchdown zone; Manning promptly threw an interception on the Colts’ first offensive drive. For those who witnessed that play and the game, aside, it seemed that fear was beginning to take over the quarterback’s shoulder pads. For those who know the game, this play has always been avoided in any type of division football, especially professional.
So for sports fans, article writers, and critics, Manning was missing another break for prominence. Why does Manning always suffocate in important situations? Was he going to waste his chance like every year before, was it a plan or a strategy?
As soon as he pitched the pick, Manning saw his mistake and immediately responded with a touchdown pass to Reggie Wayne after the Chicago secondary lost the receiver in coverage. The game looked close on both sides and the final score could have been much lower, but again Manning scored a brilliant 25 of 38 for 247 yards, two touchdown passes in the Colts’ 29-17 win. Manning was named MVP of the game, but even better was the supervised curse of the Super Bowl that was lifted.
The big, well-deserved smile couldn’t be better and after so long of being hit by critics, the Patriots and even the fans, Peyton Manning was finally a Super Bowl champion.
They say you can lose a single battle, but no one can take away the honor and for Peyton Manning, who is going to fight for the 08-09 season, this time it will point up and things will seem achievable, from a positive point of view. .
