• April 24, 2024

Peyton Manning Is The LeBron James Of The NFL: A Choker In Big Games

All the Peyton Manning talk is over the top.  Whichever team gets him isn’t going to win a Super Bowl.  Manning isn’t a big game quarterback.  He plays his best football during the regular season, not in the playoffs.  Remember he has won only one Super Bowl and threw two interceptions in that game and was bailed out by his defense.

Both LeBron James and Manning may be the greatest players to ever play in the regular seasons of their respective sports. Manning is truly magnificent prior to the snap with the way he changes the play to run the best play against the defense.

I’ve seen him carve up defenses like it was a piece of cake.

Of course James has more career left than Manning, but both have underperformed in the post season.  I’ve seen Manning get destroyed by the Patriots numerous times.  I saw him play poorly against the Kansas City Chiefs in the year in which the Colts won the championship, but he was bailed out by the Indy defense.

The media’s over-hyping  this whole thing because he’s been a great regular season quarterback, but remember he’s won only one Super Bowl in 13 years of playing in the NFL.  Can you be the best ever going 1 for 13.

I could still understand Andy Reid being interested in Manning because he is a great quarterback and would be an improvement over Michael Vick, but like James, he doesn’t take his game to another level in the playoffs like All-Time greats like a Joe Montana or Michael Jordan.

Check out the stats, Manning has come up very small in the playoffs.

Even in the one Super Bowl which he won, Manning didn’t play well.  He beat a mediocre Chicago Bears team led by Rex Grossman, who threw an interception which was run back for a touchdown.  In the Super Bowl which the Colts lost, Manning came up very small by throwing an interception which was returned for a touchdown and cost the Colts the game.

GCOBB

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jott1972
jott1972
March 8, 2012 8:28 am

wow…I lost all respect for you G with this thread….Manning will go down as one of the best QBs of all time and is 100X better than Vick.

Bring Manning to Philly with Desean, Maclin and McCoy and we can win a Super Bowl.

jakedog
jakedog
March 8, 2012 8:58 am

Jott, g acknowledged manning is better than Vick, the question is whether manning is overr rated as one of the best ever, and based on his post season play, that is a resounding yes, but I would sign him if healthy

larrwd
larrwd
March 8, 2012 9:05 am

manning panics in playoffs

btc24
btc24
March 8, 2012 9:05 am

I gotta side with jott here. He has been to two superbowls and won one of them. I love how G says “has won only one Superbowl.” C’mon man. That sentence right there, although factually true, is asinine. I’m a firm believer that Peyton is one of the top 2-3 QBs of all time. A QB can’t win a superbowl on his own so I absolutely can’t stand when people compare QBs based on their championships. The Colts have historically had pretty bad defenses but I guess defenses don’t really mean much based on this article. Peyton has taken scrubs WRs and turned them into house hold names. This guy knows the game better than anyone in NFL history if you ask me.

Jon Hart
Jon Hart
March 8, 2012 9:10 am

G, I respect the heck out of you but your way off on this one… When I read the title i did not think you wrote this article, i thought it came from paulman or another one of these guys. But, it was you… You cannot compare the two guys. Lebron is a 26 year old basketball player with about 8 more years to play the game and has a long time to prove all you doubters wrong. And we cant argue that hes the best in the league (Him and Wade)… Peyton is a 36 year old QB, and with him winning the SB it killed your entire arguement… Along with all theHOF numbers the man put up each and every season. We can argue that he would have been first ballot HOF if he didnt win a SB..He has struggled in playoff games but Cmon G, leave these kind of articles to the other clowns.. I know all the peyton talk gets annoying but lets not get carried away… Lebron and Peyton do not compare to one another, unless your talking about how great they are in the regular season.. the rest is not applicable…

Marcus1128
Marcus1128
March 8, 2012 9:14 am

Jott don’t be blinded with your hatred for Vick, “I could still understand Andy Reid being interested in Manning because he is a great quarterback and would be an improvement over Michael Vick” simply states that G agrees with you. However, the way we rant and rave about how good Manning is, he’s only won one more superbowl than Vick, which is the measuring stick right? Not really, I like Manning, but it just proves that football is a team sport so no matter how accurate or intelligent your quarterback is, contributions have to come from all 4 sides (offense, defense, special teams, and coaching) of the ball. So for all of the Vick haters that say he will never win a Superbowl, that is a correct assessment, because no one man holds the key to a teams wins or losses.

paulman
paulman
March 8, 2012 9:48 am

I stated this on another post but Manning did not play all that well down the stretch in of 2009 and even much of 2010 Season he was up and down..Of course his teammates were not as good either and his Coaching the last few seasons in Indy with Jim Caldwell, left a lot to be desired in my opinion..
His Playoff Stats were actually pretty poor by his standards, but you have to remember he was going up against some pretty tough defenses every Playoffs Season in AFC versus teams like the Ravens,Steelers,Patriots
He is definitely one of the Top QB’s of all time but at age 36, he is not the player he was 2-3-4 Years ago regardless of his neck/arm, strength.. He lost some mobilitiy and they way to beat him is to pressure him up the gut and make him move laterally and not allow him to step forward and survey the field, Put him on the move like most QB’s..

jbeeeee
jbeeeee
March 8, 2012 10:26 am

There have been alot of quarterbacks who have performed well in the regular season and get labeled as chokers in the playoffs.They used to say eli could not win the big one but they beat the patriots a few years ago not really because the play of eli but the defense.Big ben had one of the worst stattistics for a QB in the first superbowl they won.Then there a whole lot of other qbs right now who perform well during the regular season but do not win in the playoffs like rivers and romo.Most of the time though the qbs get too much credit for when the team wins and also when the team loses.Also to say manning is only 1 superbowl win in 13 seasons is a little harsh because i am sure he was not in the playoffs every year he played.

schiller
schiller
March 8, 2012 10:51 am

G. but “Can you be the best ever going 1 for 13.”…. ABSOLUTELY. Measuring a QB only by team stats tells you that Dan Marino was a terrible QB.

G, you have to put more time into editing, and reading over your posts… maybe ‘sleeping on it’ before you write stuff. You’re line of thinking here is understandable, but it’s kind of lazy to not qualify it with a lot more. The Colts didn’t lose in the playoffs because Manning tanked each time. You can’t compare it to Basketball because a single player, I don’t care HOW good, you can name any NFL player EVER….cannot take over a playoff game and win it. However, Michael Jordan, or LeBron (theoretically) CAN in basketball.

greenfan
greenfan
March 8, 2012 10:59 am

The fact that Manning has QB’d a team to a SuperBowl championship automatically puts him ahead of LeBraun. Yes, there are examples of teams winning the SB without a clutch QB 9most notably the 2000 Ravens), but to classify him as a choker after he has won the SB, I wouldn’t agree. You can say that he may be overrated based on his teams having only participated in (2) SB’s, but I wouldn’t say that he has been a choker as described.

The comparison doesn’t work on alot of levels G. I haven’t seen Manning pull some of the same stunts that LeBraun has done in his relatively short career. Manning has played as a professional, gone out of his way to work with his teamates to make them better as a team. LeBraun’s “Dream Team” act shouldn’t be compared to Mannings career in Indy, just doesn’t fit. I can see where you might feel that he is often treated like “Saint Peyton of the Gridiron”…the player who could do no wrong..and that would be a fair criticism. We all know that the media has it’s darlings, and Peyton has long been one of their favorites (much as McNabb often was even without winning a championship).

jakedog
jakedog
March 8, 2012 11:21 am

schiller, you have gonads the size of church bellls to call gcobb lazy, if it werent for gcobb, you wouldn’t have anything to do all day, who would you chastize, the man stated his opinion, many agree, if you disagree, state your opinion, back it up with facts, the facts are that manning has come up short in big games when others, including his brother, came up big, and for that reason it is legitimate to question whether peyton manning deserves the title of the best or one of the best of all time

schiller
schiller
March 8, 2012 11:26 am

To label a guy, or classify him “a choker” is silly and foolish in the first place. Labels are problematic in any case, and here it’s true as well. If you call a guy a “choker” – I don’t care how many times he’s choked or not, but that’s silly because while it accurately describes his past behaviior, it’s short sighted to assume that that means he will always choke. If Lebron and the Heat win the NBA title this year, and Lebron has a great game and hits a key late shot, he will no longer be a choker. If Manning wins another SB, then Garry’s comments here (or anyone else saying it) would be mute.

The idea that a guy will never win anything becuase he’s performed poorly in the playoffs before is just stupid. People perform differently at different times in different circumstances. Period.

schiller
schiller
March 8, 2012 11:32 am

jakedog – uh, thanks…?

Garry was a very good LB. He’s an accomplished athelete and member of the media, and he created this site which I do enjoy for many reasons. But why does that mean that he’s untouchable or beyond criticism? He’s a person. Dude, most of his articles contain many grammatical, spelling, and content errors, and this is by no means a novel concept or something only I have pointed out. He puts out a great amount of content, and he certainly should be commended for that. But it is quite appearant that he does not take time to review, edit, and carefully consider what he posts on this site. That’s all I was saying.

It’s fine for you to want to stick up for the guy, but I stand by my comments.

Erock
Erock
March 8, 2012 11:38 am

And some wilt in big games and its obvious the pressure is either getting to them and or there nerves arent as steely in a HUGE moment.That is a absolute fact Shill.Manning is an All-timer…give me Steve Young,Joe Cool,Johnny U,Ken Stabler,and i could list a few others over him in a HUGE moment.

I wonder who knows more about pro athletes deamenor in a big moment one of us or a former Pro Sam LB?

schiller
schiller
March 8, 2012 11:41 am

I do not mean to disrespect Garry in any way shape or form. And I always take his commentary on LBs, and D very seriously. But I do not think that him being a former player means that everything he says about football, or anything else is perfect, 100% accurate, or the gospel.

He’s a human being, with particular (rare amongst anyone who puts any content on this site) experience.

RealTalk777
RealTalk777
March 8, 2012 11:58 am

– I feel you… I dont know how many games I watch through the course of a season where a former player/coach commenting on the game, says something that just doesn’t make sense or says something I just dont agree with…Just like many of you with your comments,G, also is not always on point with his articles….
However, I do agree with this article…Good job, G!

navyeaglefan
navyeaglefan
March 8, 2012 11:58 am

Jake – my balls are freakin huge – and I crack up every time I think of Rocko telling that guy the other day to relax them –

article is crap – every football game has two QBs, two coaches, two teams squaring off against each other – one wins – one ‘chokes’ – thats crap – you have to win a bunch of games to get to the big game – has Tom Brady ‘choked’ in his last two SBs? course I would be the one to point out the Patriots haven’t won a SB since Belicheck got caught cheating –

Brett Farve has a couple SB wins – his best seasons are when the Packers had a great ground game – is he a ‘choker’ becuase the Saints Vikes game he got all beat up? Manning ‘choked’ becuase the Saints DB did his homework, read the pattern, jumped the pass and made a great play – was it Manning ‘choking’ or the Saints DB making a great play?

Its much different in a best of seven series to say someone ‘choked’ becuase they have 4 games to lose – did Brady ‘choke’ becuase his rcvrs dropped the ball? Welker misses the great catch – MAnningham makes the great catch – Brady choked Eli is clutch – not buying it

and the 1 for 13 comment is just dumb – the reference to beating Rex Grossman is worthless – Big Ben should have sent a couple cases of fine wine to the ref crew for his first SB win against Seattle, and Eli Manning better have one of those life size posters of Tyree on his wall and give him a ‘hug’ every night (now he can add Manningham) – its a team game – for what purpose do you take a shot at Manning?

do I want the Eagles to pursue Manning – no, not at all – but why disrespect and take a cheap shot at the guy – and that’s what I view this article – a cheap shot – kind of reminds me of the comment Rush Limbaugh made about Donavan McNabb – was that the purpose – to stir up 140 comments on a string?

We are riding the Vick express this year – don;t see any way around it at this point – Vinnie the V makes many valid points about Vick – he is who he is – but he is our QB this year so lets hope he plays a little more like P Manning

btc24
btc24
March 8, 2012 12:23 pm

Gotta agree with schill here.

eagles0superbowls
eagles0superbowls
March 8, 2012 12:39 pm

Mike Vanderjact was the most successful kicker in NFL history playing in that Dome in Indianopolis — the first year Vanderjact played for another team he was exposed as just a normal everyday run of the mill kicker ——- Peyton Manning stats are equally similarly because of that dome, outide in real weather in the playoffs he is (2-6) – a first round wildcard win in his 2nd year of the playoffs and a Super Bowl win against Rex Grossman in Miami =========== the six loses he choked in real weather where his arm strength has difficulty cutting through northern cold weather

Rocko
Rocko
March 8, 2012 12:53 pm

navyeaglefan – I happen to check the site while doing some school work and checking emails; came to gcobb for a minute and had to lol! Sometimes you gotta relax em man…when things/life gets a little tight, you gotta relax them buddy! Trust me, it helps man!

jakedog
jakedog
March 8, 2012 12:58 pm

You can look for any rationalization, stat, weather, circumstance, cliche, “its a team game”, Peyton manning has not demonstrated that he’s the guy to win the the game come money time, ironic that his softer brother has, good reference erock, Ken the snake stabler, one of the all time greats not the last drive, seconds to play

btc24
btc24
March 8, 2012 12:58 pm

navy, my man, you are spot on with that post. We as fans are often so quick to label someone? Football is a team game and I feel like Peyton has more than done his part. If the entire team played at 75% of Peyton’s level, they would have multiple rings. Also, as I said above, the Colts haven’t exactly had a very stout defense while Peyton has been there. Hell, I remember the Colts giving up over 300 yards rushing to Jacksonville about a month before they won the Superbowl. If you ask me, Peyton put the Colts on his back for years. I’m amazed he only has 1 ring.

greenfan
greenfan
March 8, 2012 1:01 pm

@E0SB….I would agree that Peyton has played better in the dome….I would have to believe that he will look to play in a warmer place or another dome if possible…..there is all this talk about the Jets, but I can’t believe that he would play in a Northeast city because of the weather….I think that old KK’s days may be numbered on ARZ, Peyton would be a good fit there

navyeaglefan
navyeaglefan
March 8, 2012 1:04 pm

EoS – lot of variables when you start looking at domes, weather, field type, does this make you respect a guy like Farve, Brady or E Manning more? Would Kurt Warner have been as successful playing in a cold wet place instead of a dome or Arizona?

I think when the eagles got the kicker from Nebraska – one of the comments was he was used to kicking outside – large crowds – bad weather –

greenfan
greenfan
March 8, 2012 1:05 pm

I would also believe that whatever team signs Manning, they will also look to sign Reggie Wayne, and possibly also Pierre Garcon. It would make sense to a team that already has a strong defense but needs some “automatic offense”…of course, that would only be a short term fix with a short window of opportunity

atra1781
March 8, 2012 1:11 pm

I actually agree with G on his article.

Eli Manning has won two Super Bowls and is 2-0 in the big dance.
Peyton is 1-1 i believe in the big game and has played poorly.

Statistically he is great and should be with Wayne, Harrison, Faulk.

I will say this. He runs a very complicated offense and does it well.

Obviously looking at this year they lacked a true playmaker and they were getting old. Irsay was right for moving on. Luck is possibly another playmaker.

If i rated the Top 5 Qbs of all time my picks would be.

1. Joe Montana
2. John Elway
3. Bart Starr
4. Brett Favre as much as i hate him.
5. Joe Namath,Tom Brady

Manning would be 7-8 possibly.

jakedog
jakedog
March 8, 2012 1:19 pm

Brett Farve, no way a top five NFL quarterback, one superbowl, how many pics in championship games, he’s more overrated than Peyton

schiller
schiller
March 8, 2012 1:21 pm

atra – it’s a Team game – do you not get that? Eli Manning has won 0 superbowls. The Giants have won 2 with Eli as QBs. Players don’t win superbowls, teams do.

greenfan
greenfan
March 8, 2012 1:35 pm

@atra…..Do you really mean to say that Manning is a product of those players that played with him? Did you see how the team did this past year when he didn’t play? Do you really think that they would have finished with the worst record in the league if he had played?

Like I posted earlier, I think that Peyton has been a favorite of the media for some time know, and much of the critism is probably due to that. Just like when Farve was playing and we would have to listen to Madden gush over every throw…there is a backlash. That being said, the guy has been solid throughout his career, has a SB ring…so I so NO to the choker handle.

dawkplex1221
dawkplex1221
March 8, 2012 1:50 pm

I disagree with this to G, i couldnt disagree more. I have looked at all his playoff stats from years past. I even watched something they did on tv about his playoff stats. They are not nearly as bad as advertised. And for you to say they beat a mediocore chicago team is even more silly. As much as grossman was garbage. Chicago had the best defense’s and special teams that year. They plowed through everyone in the nfc that year in the playoffs. It is what it is. And the year they lost to the saints manning carried them through the playoffs by himself! Reggie was suppose to undercutt that route in the sb he already admitted that so the blam wasnt even on manning. If you want my honest opionion i think manning has TO MUCH responsibilty. Imagine if they gave him a legit run game, or a solid defense like baltimores. This guy would have one more championship games. Lets not forget football is a team game with 21 other guys out there that have to do there jobs. As far as a choker i disagree, and lebron dominated the chicago bulls by himself in the semi finals last year, i dont know how much less of a stage that is then the championship, but those are big stage games also regarless.

Shadynasty
Shadynasty
March 8, 2012 1:59 pm

Here is why G’s line of thinking is ridiculous (it’s not just G, by the way). Why does Peyton get ridiculed for not showing up ‘when it counts’ but Tom Brady gets a free pass? How has Tom Brady done in the playoffs the past few years (yes, I know he’s had some decent statistical games)? Has he not thrown costly interceptions? There are times in the regular season where Tom Brady (much like Manning) look absolutely unstoppable. Brady didn’t look that way against the Giants.

Yes, Tom Brady has won more championships than Peyton but I’d definitely argue he’s had better teams behind him.

btc24
btc24
March 8, 2012 2:06 pm

Shady, good point. Lets not forget how Tom Brady was outplayed this year in the AFC Championship game by Joe Flacco; at home nonetheless. Also, lets not forget how the Patriots got destroyed by the Ravens at home a few years ago where Tom Brady didn’t do much to help them win.

jakedog
jakedog
March 8, 2012 2:42 pm

you guys must have watched different playoff games than I did, for in the games I watched peyton manning did not play nearly as well as he did in the regular season, and that was a big reason why the colts did not advance, schiller, it is a quarterback driven league, the qb gets the kudos or gets killed for losing

schiller
schiller
March 8, 2012 2:59 pm

jakedog – yes, often the QB gets the blame or credit – doesn’t mean that that isn’t stupid bullshit.

cluelesseaglesfan
cluelesseaglesfan
March 8, 2012 3:02 pm

When I read the headline, I thought who’s the dick that wrote this article? Then I noticed it was G who was the dick. Some of you dudes need to layoff the crack, if you can honestley watch football and be around football all your life and say P. Manning is overrated your an idiot. Let’s not forget the fact that he’s basically been the Qb and the offensive C. Brady missed a season and NE went 11 and 5, Manning misses a season and the colts go 2 and 14. Anyone that would take B Farve over Manning or Brady is a Super Doushe. I would’nt rank Manning as the best ever but in my time of watching football, it’s Montana, Brady, Elway, and Aikman, Then He’s right there with some of the other greats. Not taking age into account there’s only one Qb in the league you would take before Manning and thats Brady, hard to call that being over rated. Shit G if winning a super bowl was so easy we should have won atleast a couple when you were on the team.

lewdoggie20
lewdoggie20
March 8, 2012 3:10 pm

G’s account got hacked.

eagles0superbowls
eagles0superbowls
March 8, 2012 3:18 pm

Navy — Peyton Manning is a winner just not a 4 time MVP out of that Dome — If Peyton Manning played at Arrowhead stadium instead of the old RCA Dome he would have career numbers like Ben Roethlisberger and Eli Manning not career all time great numbers

schiller
schiller
March 8, 2012 3:20 pm

lewdog- ha, wouldn’t be the first time hacking/viruses/spam were part of this website.

btc24
btc24
March 8, 2012 3:23 pm

Well said clueless. I think Manning and Brady are really close. I think Brady gets put up there more for titles than his actual play itself. I don’t have much of a problem with people saying Peyton is better than Brady.

jakedog
jakedog
March 8, 2012 3:23 pm

all this support for manning, for what, who cares, gcobb just making the very valid point that he has come up small in the big games, unlike his brother, it aint that difficult to win a superbowl, ask the giants, cowboys, redskins, 12 among them, its more difficult to not have won one in thirteen years with some of the talent this team had

drummerwinslow
March 8, 2012 3:38 pm

GCobb, I’ve been posting this same stuff for weeks.

For years, Manning was known as the QB who couldn’t win the big one because of his season-ending interceptions. He finally won one SB (with two picks), and then went back to throwing picks to end the season.

Cobb, don’t go messing with people’s superheros.

cluelesseaglesfan
cluelesseaglesfan
March 8, 2012 3:40 pm

It’s not about supporting Manning to me, It’s about G’s credibility as a football guy. When you make statements like that you lose cred. I want to know that the dude that I look to for information knows what he’s looking at.

schiller
schiller
March 8, 2012 3:47 pm

wait, Jakedog- you ACTUALLY think that any superbowl winner will tell you that it “aint that difficult to win a superbowl”? Your crazy.

drummerwinslow
March 8, 2012 3:52 pm

I agree with Jake. Eli Manning has proven me wrong. He’s a much better quarterback than I originally thought. I felt his first SB win was a fluke, but after last season, I must admit I’m wrong. He was great all season.

Here’s the hit, though. Eli threw 25 picks two seasons ago, shattering the interception record.

drummerwinslow
March 8, 2012 3:54 pm

G’s not the first to say this:

Sun Feb 07 10:52pm EST

Peyton Manning: Back to being a choker?
By MJD

Forgive the provocative headline, but I’m sure that’s a thought running through the heads of many right now. It’s worth addressing.

Once upon a time, the Indianapolis Colts’ Peyton Manning(notes) had a reputation as a guy who gagged in big games. After years of great quarterbacking with no ring, he eventually broke through and won Super Bowl XLI against the Chicago Bears, and it seemed that the choke-artist reputation was put to bed.

What about now, though? He just played in one of the two biggest games of his life, and not only did he not win, but it was an interception that came out of his hand that turned the game. If he makes a better decision or a better throw there, we might have an entirely different story right now.

drummerwinslow
March 8, 2012 3:57 pm

FACE IT – PEYTON CAN’T WIN THE BIG ONE

Colts QB always blows it because of questionable decisions, poor passion

Brent Smith / Reuters
Colts quarterback Peyton Manning sits on the bench. After losing to the Steelers on Sunday, it’s clear that Manning can’t win a game that matters, writes NBCSports.com’s Bob Cook.
COMMENTARYNBCSports.com contributorupdated 12:08 p.m. ET Jan. 16, 2006

Bob Cook

If Peyton Manning is considered such a great decision-maker at quarterback, then how come he left Sunday’s playoff game on the lap of his idiot kicker?
Because it’s the playoffs.

It turns out Manning can’t only blame Tom Brady for his inability to win in the postseason, or at least against a team that puts up a rumor of a defense. As Sunday’s 21-18 loss to Pittsburgh proved, Manning just can’t put together a consistently good game when the season gets to one-and-done. This loss was the worst of them all — not only because it erases the glory of the Colts’ 13-0 start, but also because the Steelers (and the replay official) in the fourth quarter did about everything they could to give the game to Manning, and he wouldn’t take it.

You might say, wasn’t it Manning who rallied the Colts to a near-victory? Wasn’t it Mike Vanderjagt — whom Manning called not only an “idiot kicker,” but also a “liquored-up” idiot kicker, at the 2003 Pro Bowl after Vanderjagt ripped Manning (and Colts coach Tony Dungy) as too unemotional — who missed a game-tying 46-yard field-goal with 21 seconds to go?

Well, yes. But Manning, starting in college at Tennessee, has made a habit out of digging a huge hole early in big games, then rallying just enough to lose respectably and stay title-free.

(It’s been often noted that Tennessee won a national title the year after he left, under the comparatively ordinary Tee Martin, who has played all of three NFL games.)

And near game’s end against Pittsburgh, Manning, famous for getting the final say on play-calls at the line, made a dubious decision that nearly killed the Colts and also put Vanderjagt in the position of doing what only Adam Vinatieri seems able to do — make a 40-plus-yard field goal late in a tight game. (Ask Herman Edwards, Marv Levy and Marty Schottenheimer about that one.)

This is a good time to point out that for all the abuse the Indianapolis defense has taken over the years, in the playoffs it generally improves while Manning struggles. Look at some playoff scores: a 19-16 home loss to Tennessee in 1999; a 23-17 loss at Miami in 2000; a 24-14 loss at New England in 2003, and a 20-3 loss at New England last year. The defense had its troubles, particularly in stopping the run, but all things considered, it at least kept the score low enough to give Manning some help, which he hasn’t taken.

Steelers hold on to shock Colts
Cook: Manning can’t win when it matters
Another poor playoff effort dooms Colts
Cowher, Steelers loosen up vs. Colts
Dungy ponders retirement
Commentary: Dungy remains stoic
Vote: Should pick have been overturned?
Expert: Super pressure on Cowher
Colts CB’s wife says she accidentally cut him
Mailbag: Sound off on 2nd-round games
Playoff matchups, schedules, predictions
Manning is 3-6 in the playoffs; in the three wins, the Colts averaged nearly 43 points, and in the six losses, they averaged about 13. Manning makes it worse by not adjusting his play-calling to find ways to sustain long drives when it’s clear the defense is wheezing.
Maybe part of Manning’s problem is that he seems to treat playoff games with the same intensity as regular-season games. He only brings the level of urgency in a win-or-out situation when it’s late — such as when he waved the punting unit off the field near the end of the third quarter on a fourth-and-2 in Colts territory. Manning completed a pass to Brandon Stokely to get the first down. Yet where was that fire earlier in the game?

Maybe Vanderjagt is right that Manning — and Dungy — lack intensity. You mean Dungy really was going to punt on fourth-and-short, from anywhere, with his team down 21-3 late? (Lest you think I’m being heartless for going after Dungy and the Colts after the recent suicide of Dungy’s oldest son, I repeat: this tendency is not new.)

Perhaps that lack of intensity explains why Manning fails against a defense with some level of talent.

Super Bowl bound
Top images from the NFL’s divisional playoff round.
Or maybe it’s more of a lack of confidence, in himself, and his teammates.
For all of Manning’s famed improvisational skills in play-calling before the snap, Manning loses all composure if the play doesn’t develop as planned after the snap. It’s not just that Manning is not very mobile.

It’s that the offense is based on timing, and any disruption of timing sends Manning into a panic. It also turns him against his teammates.

Rather than try to inspire his Colts when they’re behind, Manning tends to go into a shell and wonder why everybody else is screwing up.

drummerwinslow
March 8, 2012 3:58 pm

Let’s not be revisionists here, people.

Peyton did a whole lot of choking.

tjp2033
tjp2033
March 8, 2012 4:02 pm

Peyton has won a Super Bowl. You can’t discount that. He may have a losing record in the playoffs, but when has he ever had a defense better than ordinary? The guy had to do everything on his own. He was the offensive coordinator and field general. Plus he would create drives to try and keep his own defense off the field.

Its like saying Dan Marino isn’t a great QB. He has 0 rings. But is still considered a top 5 QB of all time. A QB can’t win a championship on his own. He needs the defense to step up. Eli has 2 rings. Put him on Indy and he probably doesn’t win his division most years, let alone win 2 rings.

Id welcome Peyton here any day. He would sure up a lot of things for this team. Red zone success, time management, 2 minute drill, etc…

schiller
schiller
March 8, 2012 4:06 pm

Drummerwinslow, don’t you realize that you just posted an article, that given what we know post 2006, is garbage? Peyton “can’t win the big one”. Well he did, so, that’s garbage.

So you just used something that is garbage to back your point.

Yeah, there have been several times when Peyton Manning had bad games or made mistakes in crunch time. But he’s also one of the best QBs ever, a Superbowl Champion, and a Superbowl MVP.