.jpg)
Peyton Manning (AP Photo)
The Top 10 . . .
-
- No. 8: Vikings, 2008
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning turned 33 last week. To commemorate the occasion, the NFL Network put together its Top 10 Manning Moments.
It was a good piece, covering the obvious, but over the coming days on Examiner, we'll discuss the Top 10 underrated Manning moments -- the ones that don't include Super Bowl XLI or the 2006 AFC Championship Game.
What were the Top 10 best Manning moments maybe a lot of people don't remember? Or don't appreciate as they should? What are the 10 that don't jump out as obvious?
Here's . . .
No. 8...
Colts 18, Vikings 15 . . .September 14, 2008
People might argue this game should be higher on the list, and they might be right.
Because this game was more than statistics and more than a victory.
This one was about guts.
After missing preseason and training camp after undergoing knee surgery just before training camp, Manning struggled in the 2008 season opener -- a 29-17 home loss to the Chicago Bears -- and the Colts entered a Week 2 road game at Minnesota 0-1.
If the Colts struggled against the Bears, it was worse at first against Minnesota. The offensive was ineffective for two and a half quarters, and with three-time Pro Bowl center Jeff Saturday out with a knee injury, Manning spent the entire game under duress with little time to throw. One of the Colts' few big plays was one of the most memorable, bizarre plays in recent Colts memory, with Manning throwing deep to second-year wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez, who then lateraled to wide receiver Reggie Wayne. Gonzalez later said the decision to lateral was a silly one, but the play set up a 1-yard touchdown run by running back Joseph Addai. That cut what had been a 15-0 lead to eight points.
With Manning taking mostly short drops and getting rid of the ball quickly, the Colts started to move effectively, and with 5:54 remaining, his 32-yard touchdown pass to Wayne pulled the Colts to within two. Running back Dominic Rhodes' two-point conversion on the ensuing play tied it, 15-15.
The Colts' defense continued to stuff an ineffective Vikings offense, and with :34 remaining, the Colts faced 3rd-and-9 from the Vikings 49. Again under duress, Manning threw a perfect pass to Wayne for a 20-yard gain. Manning spiked the ball on the ensuing play, and one play later, kicker Adam Vinatieri's 47-yard field goal gave the Colts the victory.
Manning has had bigger statistical games, and the Colts have had a few comebacks that were more dramatic. But given the circumstance surrounding the game, given the pressure of an intense Vikings pass rush, and considering his health, this one was special.
“I don’t believe in ugly wins,” said Manning, who completed 26 of 42 passes for 311 yards and a touchdown. “All wins are sweet. They’re hard to come by. I know the Vikings feel just as sick as we felt last week in that locker room. A couple of plays here or there and we’re feeling sick in this locker room. The game comes down to usually a few plays.
“It’s hard to rank them, I guess. We’ve had a lot of good games around here. But it feels good to get the win.”
Defensive end Robert Mathis put it more succinctly:
“This one’s monumental."
And it was about more than statistics, or even an early-season victory. It was about guts.
Up next . . .
For more on the Colts, please check out:
- Colts Owner Jim Irsay has put Baltimore days well in past.
- 2009 NFL Draft: Quarterback.
- 2009 NFL Draft: Running back.
- 2009 NFL Draft: Wide receiver.
- 2009 NFL Draft: tight end
- 2009 NFL Draft: Offensive tackle
- 2009 NFL Draft: Offensive guard
- Colts 2009 NFL Draft: Center
- Colts receive compensatory pick
- Will Manning be 2010 Madden Cover Athlete?
- Colts Sign Linebacker Adam Seward
- When will free agency pick up for ex-Colts?
- Why defensive tackle is a crucial offseason need.
- Why Jeff Saturday stayed in Indianapolis.
Comments