American football player (born 1976)
American football player
Manning in 2021 | |
| Position: | Quarterback |
|---|---|
| Born: | (1976-03-24) March 24, 1976 (age 48) New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Height: | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| Weight: | 230 lb (104 kg) |
| High school: | Isidore Newman (New Orleans, Louisiana) |
| College: | Tennessee (1994–1997) |
| NFL draft: | 1998 / round: 1 / pick: 1 |
| |
Pro Football Hall of Fame | |
College Football Hall of Fame | |
Peyton Williams Manning (born March 24, 1976) is an American former professional footballquarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 18 seasons. Nicknamed "the Sheriff",[2] he spent 14 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and four with the Denver Broncos.[3] Manning is considered one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.[4][5][6][7][8][9] A member of the Manning football dynasty, he is the second son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning, older brother of former NFL quarterback Eli Manning, and uncle of Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning. He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers, winning the Maxwell, Davey O'Brien, and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm awards as a senior en route to victory in the 1997 SEC Championship Game.
Manning was selected first overall in the 1998 NFL draft by the Colts and served as their starting quarterback from 1998 to 2010. He helped transform the struggling Colts franchise into consistent playoff contenders, leading them to 11 playoff appearances, eight division titles, three AFC Championship Games, two Super Bowl appearances, and one championship title in Super Bowl XLI, the franchise's first in over three decades and first since relocating to Indianapolis.[10][11][12][13][14] Manning was also named Super Bowl MVP in the victory. After undergoing neck surgery that sidelined him for the 2011 season, Manning was released by the Colts and signed with the Broncos. Serving as the Broncos starting quarterback from 2012 to 2015, he helped them clinch their division each season and reach two Super Bowls. Manning's career ended with a victory in Super Bowl 50, making him the first starting quarterback to win the Super Bowl for more than one franchise.[15]
Manning holds many NFL records, including most MVP awards,[16] quarterback first-team All-Pro selections,[17] 4,000-yard passing seasons,[18][19] single-season passing yards,[20] and single-season passing touchdowns.[21] He is also third in career passing yards and career passing touchdowns.[22][23] Helping lead both the Colts and Broncos to two Super Bowls each, Manning is the only quarterback to have reached the Super Bowl with multiple franchises with multiple starts for each.[24] He was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2017 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021.[25]
Manning went to Isidore Newman School in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he led the Greenies football team to a 34–5 record during his three seasons as the starter.[26] He was named Gatorade Circle of Champions National Player-of-the-Year and Columbus (Ohio) Touchdown Club National Offensive Player-of-the-Year in 1993.[27] While at Newman, he began wearing the #18 jersey in honor of his older brother Cooper, who had to give up football due to spinal stenosis.[28] Younger brother Eli also wore the number when he became starting quarterback. Newman has since retired the #18 jersey and it can be seen hanging in the school gym.[29] Manning was among the most sought-after high school players in the country and was recruited by about 60 colleges, including Florida, Florida State, LSU, Michigan, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, and his father's alma materOle Miss.[30]
Manning chose to play college football for the University of TennesseeVolunteers under head coach Phillip Fulmer.[31] Many fans were surprised that he did not pick the Ole MissRebels, for whom his father Archie played, and his parents received many angry phone calls and letters.[32] He became Tennessee's all-time leading passer with 11,201 yards and 89 touchdowns and won 39 of 45 games as a starter, breaking the Southeastern Conference (SEC) record for career wins.[33][34]
See also: 1994 Tennessee Volunteers football team
As a freshman, Manning began the season as the third-string quarterback.[35] In the season opener against UCLA, he was one of three quarterbacks to come off the bench after starter Jerry Colquitt suffered a season-ending injury on the seventh play of the game. However, he was not able to generate any offense, only handing the ball off three times, and was pulled from the game.[36] Two weeks later, in a 31–0 loss to the #1 Florida Gators, Manning completed his first collegiate pass. During the season's fourth game, against Mississippi State, starter Todd Helton got injured and he took over.[37] The Vols lost 24–21, but Manning threw his first two collegiate touchdowns in the game.[38] He was named the team's starter and remained so for the rest of his college career.[39] In his first start, the following week against Washington State, the Vols won 10–9. They won all but one of their remaining games, finishing the season 8–4 with a 45–23 victory over Virginia Tech in the 1994 Gator Bowl.[40][41] He finished his first collegiate season 89 of 144 for 1,141 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and six interceptions.[42]
See also: 1995 Tennessee Volunteers football team
Manning and the Vols opened the 1995 season with victories over East Carolina and SEC rivalGeorgia before heading off to Gainesville to face off against the rivalGators.[43] Against Florida, he threw 326 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Vols to a 30–21 halftime lead. However, the Gators outscored the Vols 41–7 in the second half, winning 62–37.[44] This was the Vols' only loss of the season, as they won their remaining eight regular season games, including a 41–14 win over rivalAlabama.[45] The Vols defeated Ohio State by a score of 20–14 in the Citrus Bowl.[46][47] The Vols ended the season ranked third, and he came in sixth place in Heisman Trophy voting.[48] He finished his sophomore season 244 of 380 for 2,954 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and four interceptions.[49]
See also: 1996 Tennessee Volunteers football team
The Vols opened the 1996 season ranked No. 2 behind Nebraska.[50] However, after winning their first two games against UNLV and UCLA, the Vols again lost to Florida by a score of 35–29, with Manning throwing four interceptions.[51] After winning their next four games, the Vols were defeated by Memphis, even though Manning threw 296 yards.[52] The Vols won the rest of their games, including a 48–28 win in the Citrus Bowl over Northwestern, a game in which Manning threw 408 yards and four touchdowns; he was named the game's MVP.[53][54] His 243 pass completions and 63.9% completion percentage led the SEC that year.[55] He finished the 1996 season with 3,287 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.[56] He also came in eighth place in Heisman Trophy voting.[57] Manning completed his degree in three years, a Bachelor of Arts in speech communication.[58][59] He was predicted to be the top overall pick in the NFL draft, but announced his decision to stay at Tennessee for his senior year in an event at Thompson-Boling Arena.[60][61]
In 1996, while attending the University of Tennessee, Manning was accused of sexual assault by trainer Jamie Ann Naughright after she alleged that he pressed his genitals against her face during a foot examination. Manning said that he was pulling a prank by "mooning" Malcolm Saxon, a cross country runner who was in the room as Naughright bent over to examine him.[62][63] Saxon initially supported Manning's story before stating in an affidavit and a written letter to Manning that Manning had intentionally exposed himself to Naughright, but did not mention witnessing any physical contact during the incident.[64][65] Naughright settled with the university for $300,000 for its alleged failure in four incidents and resigned from the school. She also made a list of 33 complaints about the school.[66] Naughright filed a defamation lawsuit against Manning and three other parties in 2002, claiming that Manning defamed her in a book he wrote with his father and author John Underwood in which he described her as having a "vulgar mouth".[64] The lawsuit was settled after the court ruled there was sufficient evidence for it to be heard by a jury. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed due to confidentiality terms.[67][68]
See also: 1997 Tennessee Volunteers football team
In his senior season, Manning and the Vols opened the season with victories against Texas Tech and UCLA, but for the third time in his career, Manning fell to Florida 33–20.[69][70][71] The Vols won the rest of their regular season games, finishing 10–1, and advanced to the SEC Championship game against Auburn.[72] Down 20–7 in the second quarter, Manning led the Vols to a 30–29 comeback victory. Throwing 373 yards and four touchdowns, he was named the game's MVP, but injured himself in the process.[73][74] The #3 Vols were matched-up with #2 Nebraska in the Orange Bowl; if Tennessee won and top-ranked Michigan lost to Washington State in the Rose Bowl, the Vols would have won the national championship. However, the Vols' defense could not stop Nebraska's rushing attack, giving up over 400 rushing yards in a 42–17 loss.[75][76]
As a senior, Manning won many awards; he was a consensus first-team All-American, the Maxwell Award winner, the Davey O'Brien Award winner, the Johnny Unitas Award winner, and the Best College PlayerESPY award winner, among others.[77] He finished as the runner-up to Charles Woodson in the 1997 Heisman Trophy voting.[78] He became the fourth player in school history to finish as the runner-up.[79] In 2005, Tennessee retired Manning's number (16).[80] One of the streets leading to Neyland Stadium was renamed to Peyton Manning Pass.[81] Manning finished his final season at Tennessee with 3,819 passing yards, 36 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.[82] While at the University of Tennessee, Manning excelled academically and was elected to the Omicron Delta Kappa[83] and Phi Beta Kappa Society in 1997.[58] He also received the National Football Foundation National Scholar-Athlete Award.[84]
Manning was inducted into the Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016.[85] He was also named the 2016 Tennessean of the Year by the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.[86] Manning was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2017, his first year of eligibility for the honor, and was inducted during a ceremony in December.[87][88] He joined his father Archie in the Hall of Fame, making them the first father and son duo to both be inducted as players.[89]
| Season | Team | Passing | Rushing | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cmp | Att | Yds | Pct | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | ||
| 1994 | Tennessee | 89 | 144 | 1,141 | 61.8 | 11 | 6 | 145.2 | 21 | −26 | −1.2 | 1 |
| 1995 | Tennessee | 244 | 380 | 2,954 | 64.2 | 22 | 4 | 146.5 | 41 | 6 | 0.1 | 5 |
| 1996 | Tennessee | 243 | 380 | 3,287 | 63.9 | 20 | 12 | 147.7 | 42 | −131 | −3.1 | 3 |
| 1997 | Tennessee | 287 | 477 | 3,819 | 60.2 | 36 | 11 | 147.7 | 49 | −30 | −0.6 | 3 |
| Career | 863 | 1,381 | 11,201 | 62.5 | 89 | 33 | 147.1 | 153 | –181 | –1.2 | 12 | |
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | Wonderlic | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 5+1⁄4 in (1.96 m) | 230 lb (104 kg) | 31+1⁄2 in (0.80 m) | 10+1⁄8 in (0.26 m) | 4.80 s | 28 | |||||||
| All values from NFL Combine[90][91] | ||||||||||||
Manning was selected by the Indianapolis Colts as the first overall pick in the 1998 NFL draft.[92] He became the second player in Tennessee's school history to be drafted #1 overall, the first since George Cafego in the 1940 NFL draft.[93] He started as a rookie and went on to play for the Colts for 13 full seasons before being sidelined by a neck injury, which cost him the entire 2011 season.[94] After recovering from the injury, he was released by the Colts and joined the Denver Broncos for whom he played from the 2012 season[95] to the 2015 season. Excluding the year lost to the neck injury, Manning played in 17 NFL seasons.[96]
Manning is considered to be one of the greatest NFL quarterbacks of all time.[97][98] He was named the NFL's most valuable player a record five times (four times with the Colts, once with the Broncos), was named to the Pro Bowl 14 times, and named a first-team All-Pro seven times. As a starter up until the end of the 2015 season, he had a career winning percentage of .702 in the regular season. He held the NFL record for career touchdown passes from 2014 to 2019 and the career passing yards record from 2015 to 2018. Manning is also the only quarterback in NFL history to appear in four Super Bowls with a different head coach each time, playing under Tony Dungy, Jim Caldwell, John Fox, and Gary Kubiak when he reached the league's championship.[99]
The most commonly cited criticism of Manning's professional career is that despite great success and impressive statistics during the regular season, he did not have similar levels of success in the postseason.[100] His career postseason record as a starter was a more modest 14–13 compared to his 186–79 regular season record. However, Manning won two Super Bowls in Super Bowl XLI and Super Bowl 50 and was named MVP in the former. During the early part of Manning's career, commentators noted that "his record-breaking stats were written off because of the Colts' postseason failures." Conversely, Manning's final season in 2015 was statistically his weakest, but saw him end his career with a Super Bowl victory through the assistance of the Broncos' No Fly Zone defense.[101][102]
See also: 1998 Indianapolis Colts season
Despite concerns about his arm strength and mobility,[103] Manning was selected first overall in the 1998 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts.[104] Although many considered Washington State quarterback Ryan Leaf to be his rival for the first selection in the draft, as Leaf had a higher quarterback rating, all six experts Sports Illustrated consulted believed that Manning was superior.[105][106] Five said that they would take him first in the draft; Sid Gillman said about Manning, "this is a pro quarterback."[105]
The Colts' scouts initially favored Leaf, but the team's management and coaches liked Manning's attitude, particularly as Manning showed up prepared to a scheduled interview meeting with the Colts' staff while Leaf arrived late.[107] Colts general manager Bill Polian, who had the final say on the draft selection, recalled Manning saying "I'll leave you with this thought. If you take me, I promise you we will win a championship. If you don't, I promise I'll come back and kick your ass."[108][109] Contrary to what he heard about their athletic ability, Polian said that Manning "far and away had the stronger arm, threw a tighter ball" than Leaf.[110]
In Manning's rookie season under head coach Jim Mora, he threw 3,739 yards and 26 touchdowns, set five different NFL rookie records including most touchdown passes in a season and most interceptions in a rookie year, and was named to the NFL All-Rookie First Team.[111][112][113] In his NFL debut, Manning was 21-of-37 for 302 passing yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions. He threw his first career touchdown, a six-yard pass to Marvin Harrison, in the fourth quarter of the 24–15 loss to the Miami Dolphins.[114] Manning's first win came against fellow rookie Leaf, 17–12 over the San Diego Chargers in week 5.[115] Two weeks later, Manning faced off against Steve Young; he threw three touchdowns, tying a Colts rookie record, but the San Francisco 49ers kicked a late field goal to win 34–31.[116] In November against the New York Jets, Manning threw three touchdowns in a 24–23 win; he was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for this performance.[117] It was the first game-winning drive of Manning's career, as he threw the game-winning touchdown pass to Marcus Pollard.[111][118] Manning was certainly a bright spot in 1998 for the Colts with 3,739 passing yards and 26 passing touchdowns, but also threw a league high 28 interceptions as the team struggled to a 3–13 record with a defense that gave up more than 27 points per game.[103][119][120][121] The Colts lost many close games, including five games where they led by double digits at some point.[120]
See also: 1999 Indianapolis Colts season
Manning and the Colts started the 1999 season splitting the first two games with the Buffalo Bills (31–14 win) and New England Patriots (31–28 loss).[122][123] In week 3, against the San Diego Chargers, Manning threw over 404 yards, scored his first professional rushing touchdown, and was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his effort in the 27–19 victory.[111][124][125] The Colts responded by winning 11 of their remaining 12 games, finishing 13–3 and the AFC East division.[126] In week 11, against the Philadelphia Eagles, Manning threw a then career-high 80-yard touchdown pass to Terrence Wilkins in the 44–17 victory.[127] The ten-game turnaround from the previous year set an NFL record.[128] His seven game-winning drives were tied for the most in NFL history until Matthew Stafford had eight in the 2016 season.[129][130] Manning finished the year with 4,135 passing yards and 26 passing touchdowns, and was named both Second-team All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl, both firsts for him.[131] He finished third in the NFL in pass completions, passing yards, and passing touchdowns.[132] As the second seed in the AFC, the Colts earned a first round bye and faced the Tennessee Titans in the Divisional Round of the playoffs.[133] The Colts lost 19–16 to the Super Bowl-bound Titans and Manning was limited to 19-of-42 passing attempts for 227 passing yards and one touchdown run.[134] In the Pro Bowl, he threw 270 yards and two touchdowns in the 51–31 loss.[135]
See also: 2000 Indianapolis Colts season
The Colts started the season splitting two games with the Kansas City Chiefs (27–14 win) and Oakland Raiders (38–31 loss).[136][137] The Colts responded with a Monday Night Football victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars, a 43–14 win in which Manning threw 430 yards and four touchdowns; Manning was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week for this performance.[111][138] The Colts won four of their next five games, including a 30–23 win against the New England Patriots in which Manning had the first perfect passer rating of his career, but then lost four of the five games following that.[139] The Colts regained their momentum, winning their final three games, including a 31–10 win over the Minnesota Vikings in week 17.[140][141] Manning threw four touchdowns in the win and was again named AFC Offensive Player of the Week.[142] The win gave the Colts a 10–6 record as well as a Wild Card spot in the playoffs.[111][143][144] He finished the season with league-highs across the board with 357 pass completions for 4,413 passing yards and 33 passing touchdowns, and was named Second-team All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl.[145][146] In the Wild Card Round, the Colts lost to the Miami Dolphins 23–17 in overtime. Manning threw 194 yards and a touchdown in the loss.[147]
See also: 2001 Indianapolis Colts season
Manning and the Colts introduced the no-huddle offense, and used it to great effect in a week 1 rout over the New York Jets, 45–24.[148] Two weeks later, the Colts advanced to 2–0 with a 42–26 win over the Buffalo Bills, with Manning throwing 421 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions.[149] He was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for this game.[111] However, the Colts lost the following week in a 38–17 loss to the New England Patriots, which was the first meeting between Manning and Tom Brady.[150] The Colts continued their slide, losing their following two games.[151] The Colts briefly rebounded, winning two games, but then lost seven of their last nine games. In the stretch, Manning threw a career-high 86-yard touchdown pass to Marcus Pollard in the 34–20 loss to the New Orleans Saints.[152] After a 40–21 home loss to the San Francisco 49ers, in which Manning threw a career-high four interceptions in the game, coach Jim Mora uttered his famous "Playoffs? Don't talk about playoffs," at the press conference.[153] Despite the 6–10 record, Manning finished the season with 4,131 passing yards, 26 passing touchdowns, and four rushing touchdowns as the offense produced the second most points in the league.[154][155][156] However, the defense allowed the most points in the league and Mora was fired after the season.[145][157]
See also: 2002 Indianapolis Colts season
Before the 2002 season, Tony Dungy became Manning's second head coach in the NFL.[158] The Colts began the 2002 season with a 4–1 record before a three-game losing streak sent them to 4–4. The Colts responded by winning all but two of their remaining games, including a 35–13 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in which Manning had a perfect passer rating for the second time in his career, giving them a 10–6 record and a spot in the playoffs.[159][160][161] He finished the 2002 season with 4,200 passing yards and 27 passing touchdowns and was named to the Pro Bowl.[162][163] The Colts were defeated by the New York Jets in the Wild Card Round, 41–0, with Manning passing only 137 yards, falling 0–3 in the playoffs to start his career.[164][165]
See also: 2003 Indianapolis Colts season
The most valuable player is the one that makes the most players valuable.
~ Peyton Manning[166]
The 2003 Colts began the season 5–0, including a 55–21 blowout over the New Orleans Saints in which Manning recorded his third perfect passer rating game and threw six touchdown passes, earning him AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.[167] On Monday Night Football, against the defending champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Colts trailed 35–14 in the final five minutes. After one short touchdown drive, the Colts recovered the onside kick. Manning threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Marvin Harrison on 4th and 6 to make it 35–28. With 1:41 remaining, Manning got the ball back and drove the offense 85 yards for the game-tying touchdown. He set up the winning 29-yard field goal in overtime for a 38–35 win. It was the only time in NFL history a team won a game after trailing by 21 points in the final four minutes of regulation.[168] Manning threw 386 yards in the game.[169]
After an overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers in week 6, the Colts won all but three of their remaining games, finishing 12–4.[170][171] On November 30, the Colts faced the 9–2 New England Patriots in what had a memorable ending in one of the NFL's top rivalries of the 2000s.[172] The Colts trailed 31–10 late in the third quarter before Manning threw three touchdown passes in a span of six minutes to tie the game. Trailing 38–34 in the final minutes, the Colts had three plays at the one-yard line to try to score the winning touchdown. Running back Edgerrin James was stopped on fourth down by linebacker Willie McGinest and the Patriots won.[173] In a week 14 win against the Atlanta Falcons, Manning threw five touchdowns and was named Offensive Player of the Week a second time.[174] After the game, Manning was awarded Player of the Week honors for the third time that season.[175] During the season, Manning was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Month for September and was named the AP NFL co-MVP along with Titans quarterback Steve McNair.[176] Manning also received the ESPY Award for Best NFL Player.[77] Manning led the league with 379 pass completions for 4,267 passing yards and threw 29 touchdowns;[177] he was named first-team All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl.[145][178]
In the Wild Card Round, Manning and the Colts defeated the Denver Broncos, 41–10, for his first playoff win. He threw 377 yards and five touchdowns in the game, earning him a perfect passer rating, his second of the season and the fourth of his career.[179] In the Divisional Round, Manning led the Colts to a 38–31 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. In the victory, he threw 304 yards and three touchdowns.[180] In the AFC Championship, Manning was shut down by the New England Patriots' top-ranked defense and posted the third-lowest passer rating of his career at 35.5. The Patriots' defense intercepted Manning four times and sacked him another four, as the Colts lost the game by a score of 24–14.[181][182]
See also: 2004 Indianapolis Colts season
The 2004 Colts opened the season with a 27–24 loss to the New England Patriots after placekicker Mike Vanderjagt missed a game-tying field goal in the closing seconds of the game.[183] The Colts won their next four games including a 45–31 win over the Green Bay Packers in which Manning threw five touchdowns, earning him AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors, but then lost their next two games to the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Kansas City Chiefs, despite Manning throwing 840 yards combined in the two games.[111][184][185][186] The Colts responded well, winning their next eight games before losing their final regular season game to Denver, a game in which Manning played only the first series.[187] During the month of November, Manning was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week twice; once for his five-touchdown performance in a 49–14 blowout over the Houston Texans and once for his performance in a 41–9 road win against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving in which he threw six touchdowns in less than three quarters.[188][189] For his performances in November, Manning earned AFC Offensive Player of the Month honors.[111] He was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for a fourth time in the week 16 game against the San Diego Chargers[111] where he led the Colts to a 34–31 victory after trailing by 15 in the fourth quarter. With the Colts facing a 4th and 4 at their own 26, Manning waved the punt team off the field and completed a 19-yard pass to wide receiver Reggie Wayne for the first down. He finished the drive with a 21-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Stokley, his 49th touchdown pass of the season, breaking Dan Marino's record of 48. After the two-point conversion to tie, Manning got the ball first in overtime and set up the winning field goal. The Colts clinched the AFC's third seed with the win.[190]
During the season, Manning threw 4,557 yards, had a then record 121.1 passer rating, and a then-record 49 touchdown passes while throwing only 10 interceptions.[145][191] He was a unanimous first-team All-Pro selection.[192] Manning's 2004 season was voted the second greatest passing season of all time by ESPN in 2013. He achieved this despite the 2004 season being the only season of his career where he threw less than 500 passes. He finished with a league-high 13.6 yards per pass completion and 9.2 yards per pass attempt in 2004.[193] Manning's 9.9% touchdown rate for the season was tied for the sixth highest rate in NFL history (with George Blanda in 1961), and it ranks as the highest by a quarterback in the 21st century.[194] His 49 touchdown passes is currently the third highest ever and his 121.1 passer rating is the second highest ever. He was selected as the 2004 NFL MVP drawing 49 of 50 votes, was named NFL Offensive Player of the Year, and was named the Best NFL Player at the ESPY Awards for the second consecutive year. Manning also received the ESPY Award for Best Record-Breaking Performance for his 49 touchdown passes.[77][195] The Colts finished the season with a 12–4 record and their second straight AFC South title.[196] The Colts scored a franchise record 522 points. Three Colts receivers had 1,000 yard seasons with at least 10 touchdowns that season, also a record. Sports statistics cite Football Outsiders calculates that Manning had the best season for a quarterback, play-by-play, in 2004.[197][198]
In the Wild Card Round against the Denver Broncos at home, Manning threw 458 yards and four touchdowns in the 49–24 victory.[199] However, the Colts' 2004 season ended in Foxborough for a second straight season with a 20–3 loss against New England in the Divisional Round, and Manning recorded a season-low passer rating of 69.3. It was Manning's seventh consecutive loss to the Patriots in Foxborough and the Colts' three points were their lowest single game point total since their opening game of the 2003 season.[200]
See also: 2005 Indianapolis Colts season
In 2005, the Colts had a greatly improved defense over that of recent years.[201] Combining this with their offense, they won their first 13 games, including a 40–21 rout over the two-time defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots. This was Manning's first road win against the Patriots in eight attempts, and his three touchdown passes earned him AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.[111][202] By week 15, the Colts had a perfect 13–0 record, and secured the AFC South and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Nevertheless, head coach Tony Dungy made the decision to play all of his regular starters against the San Diego Chargers. However, the Colts played a sub-par game against the Chargers and fell short of the win; the score was 26–17.[203] Manning finished the 2005 season with 3,747 passing yards, which was the first time he threw less than 4,000 yards since his rookie season in 1998, largely because Manning sat out much of the final two games with the top AFC seed clinched. His quarterback rating of 104.1 was the highest in the league for the season.[145][204]
In the playoffs, the Pittsburgh Steelers visited the RCA Dome for the second AFC Divisional Round game of the 2005 season. In the fourth quarter with only a few minutes left in the game, Manning threw what looked to be the game-ending interception to safety Troy Polamalu, but the interception was overturned (a call the NFL later admitted was incorrect).[205] The Colts went on to score and got the ball back down three points near the end of the game. On fourth down, Manning was sacked near his own goal line and the game seemed to be over as the Steelers were one yard from a touchdown. On the next play, the ball was fumbled by running back Jerome Bettis and picked up by Colts defender Nick Harper who appeared to have a clear path down the sideline for what might have been the game-winning score. However, Steelers' quarterback Ben Roethlisberger dove in front of Harper and tackled him in the leg, saving a touchdown. On the ensuing drive, the Colts moved down the field to the Steelers 27-yard line, before Mike Vanderjagt missed a field goal as time ran out. Manning finished the loss 22 of 38 for 290 yards and a touchdown.[206]
Manning came in second place for the MVP award to Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander, ending his streak at two years.[207] He was named the 2005 winner of the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award and nominated for the FedEx Air Player of the Year Award, along with Tom Brady and Carson Palmer.[208][209] Manning was named first-team All-Pro for the third consecutive year and named to the Pro Bowl squad.[210][211]
See also: 2006 Indianapolis Colts season
Manning opened the 2006 season against his brother Eli and the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football. It was the first NFL game with starting quarterbacks who were brothers, and the Colts won 26–21.[212] Manning threw 400 yards against the Houston Texans in a 43–24 victory, which earned him AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors. Manning also won the award for his 345 yards and four touchdown passes against the Washington Redskins in week 7.[213][214] A second trip to New Jersey, this time to face the New York Jets, led to another Colts win. After taking the lead twice in the fourth quarter, Manning led a third scoring drive to finish with a one-yard quarterback sneak rushing touchdown in the last minute for a 31–28 win.[215]
In a road game against the Denver Broncos, Manning again led three scoring drives in the fourth quarter in a 34–31 shootout win. He completed 32-of-39 passes for 345 yards and three touchdowns.[216] Following a second straight season with a win at New England and a home win against Buffalo, the Colts were the NFL's last unbeaten team at 9–0.[217] The Colts became the first team in NFL history to record consecutive 9–0 starts to a season.[218] Their first loss came in a 21–14 road loss to the Dallas Cowboys.[219] Plagued by a run defense that allowed over 100 yards in every game, the Colts were 11–4 heading into their final game.[220] Against the Miami Dolphins, Manning threw 282 yards, two touchdowns, and rushed for another touchdown. The Colts won 27–22, were AFC South division champions, and clinched the third seed in the AFC playoffs.[221] Manning was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week.[222] He ended the regular season with 4,397 passing yards and a league-leading 31 touchdown passes. His passer rating (101.0) was the highest in the league for the third year in a row.[145] Manning helped the offense set an NFL record for third-down conversion rate in a season (56.1%).[223]
Despite three interceptions, Manning completed 30 out of 38 passes for 268 yards and a touchdown as the Colts beat the Kansas City Chiefs in the Wild Card Round by a score of 23–8.[224] The following week, the Colts were limited to five field goals and no touchdowns, but defeated the Baltimore Ravens, 15–6. Manning was 15 of 30 for 170 yards and two interceptions in the Divisional Round victory.[225] In the AFC Championship against the rival New England Patriots, the Colts trailed 14–3 when Manning threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown by Asante Samuel to give New England a 21–3 lead. Manning led the Colts to 32 points in the second half for a 38–34 victory, the final score coming late in the fourth quarter as Manning led the Colts on an 80-yard touchdown drive to take the lead for the first time in the game. He finished the game with 349 passing yards, one passing touchdown, and one rushing touchdown. The comeback was the largest deficit ever overcome in a conference championship.[226]
Completing 25-of-38 passes for 247 yards, a touchdown, and an interception, Manning led the Colts to a 29–17 victory over the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI and was named Super Bowl MVP.[227] He became the first Colts player to receive the honor, as Dallas Cowboys linebacker Chuck Howley was MVP of Super Bowl V, the franchise's previous title.[228] For his role in the Colts' championship run, Manning won the ESPY for Best Championship Performance.[229] Manning was also named to the Pro Bowl and named Second-team All-Pro.[145][230] After the Super Bowl win, Manning restructured his contract to save the Colts $8.2 million in salary cap space.[231]
See also: 2007 Indianapolis Colts season
The Colts opened the NFL season with seven wins, putting them against an undefeated New England Patriots squad in a match-up that was called "Super Bowl 41 1/2."[232] Manning and Joseph Addai helped the Colts to a 13–7 halftime lead, and an early fourth-quarter touchdown increased the lead to 20–10. However, Brady led the Patriots to two late touchdowns, giving Manning and the Colts their first loss of the season, 24–20. Manning finished the game with 225 passing yards, one passing touchdown, and a rushing touchdown.[233]
Manning did not bounce back from the loss well. Against the San Diego Chargers, he threw a career-worst and franchise-record six interceptions. Despite this, he was able to rally the Colts from a 23–0 deficit to 23–21. He also gave Adam Vinatieri an opportunity to take the lead with a field goal, but Vinatieri's 29-yard attempt missed, and the Colts fell to 7–2.[234] Manning did not play particularly well against the Kansas City Chiefs either, throwing no touchdowns. However, he managed to lead the Colts on a late drive for a game-winning field goal, rushing for two yards on 4th and 1 in the process. Manning finished the game with 163 passing yards, allowing him to overtake 40,000 in his career. The victory was Manning's 100th.[235]
The Colts won their next five games, securing yet another AFC South title, as well as the AFC's second-seed in the playoffs.[236] In that stretch was a week 13 28–25 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars where he was 20 of 29 for 288 passing yards, four touchdowns, and an interception.[237] For his performance against the Jaguars, he was named as the AFC Offensive Player of the Week.[238] In the final game of the regular season, Manning played only two series before being replaced by back-up Jim Sorgi; the Colts lost the game to the Tennessee Titans, 16–10.[19] Manning finished the season with 4,040 passing yards, 31 touchdown passes, and a quarterback rating of 98.0.[145] In the Divisional Round, Manning and the Colts lost to the San Diego Chargers, 28–24. Manning helped the Colts to four leads but could not lead a final touchdown drive for the win. Manning finished the game with 402 yards and three touchdowns.[239] He was seen cheering on his brother Eli and the New York Giants in their upset of the previously undefeated New England Patriots during Super Bowl XLII.[240][241]
See also: 2008 Indianapolis Colts season
On July 14, 2008, Manning had surgery to remove an infected bursa sac in his left knee.[242] Manning, who wore a knee brace due to problems since he was in college, sat out all four preseason games and missed most of training camp.[243]
Manning and the Colts started the 2008 season with a 1–2 record.[244] In week 5, Manning used the fourth quarter to bring the Colts back from a 27–10 deficit in the last five minutes against the Houston Texans to a 31–27 victory. It was the first time an NFL team won a game in regulation after trailing by 17 points in the last five minutes.[245] Manning threw a seven-yard touchdown pass on 4th and 6 to rookie tight end Tom Santi to make the deficit 27–17. Houston quarterback Sage Rosenfels, starting for the injured Matt Schaub, then fumbled the ball on a scramble, and it was returned 68 yards for a touchdown by Gary Brackett. After another Rosenfels fumble, Manning threw the 5-yard game-winning touchdown pass to Reggie Wayne. The Colts scored three touchdowns in 2:10.[246]
On October 12, Manning led the Colts to a 31–3 blowout win at Lucas Oil Stadium against the Baltimore Ravens to avoid their first 0–3 start at home since the 1997 season. Manning was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for the 17th time in his career for his effort of three touchdown passes and 271 yards passing.[247] It was revealed during the game by CBS commentators Jim Nantz and Phil Simms that Manning had a second surgery on his knee before the season started. Colts coach Tony Dungy confirmed this report the day after the game.[248]
The Colts had their largest defeat of the season, 34–14, against the Green Bay Packers the following week. Manning threw two interceptions that were returned for touchdowns.[249] After a setback to the undefeated Tennessee Titans in week 8, the Colts opened up November with their annual showdown against the New England Patriots on Sunday Night Football. Tied at 15 in the fourth quarter, Manning set up Adam Vinatieri for a 52-yard field goal that proved to be the winning points in an 18–15 victory. Manning completed 21-of-29 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns.[250][251]
In a week 10 road game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who had the league's highest-ranked defense, they trailed 17–7 in the second quarter before Manning found tight end Dallas Clark for a two-yard touchdown to end the half 17–14. Down 20–17 in the fourth quarter, Manning found running back Dominic Rhodes uncovered for a 17-yard touchdown pass that would put the Colts up 24–20 for the rest of the game. It was Manning's fourth game-winning drive (35th of his career) of the season. He completed 21 of 40 for 240 yards and three touchdowns (the 50th game of his career with 3+ touchdown passes). It was the first time the Colts won in Pittsburgh since 1968, breaking a streak of 12 straight losses.[252][253] Against the Houston Texans, Manning threw 320 yards and two touchdowns while leading five consecutive scoring drives in a 33–27 victory, the third in a row for the Colts. Manning won AFC Offensive Player of the Week for the second time this season (18th time, career).[254][255]
Following the Texans game, the Colts reeled off four consecutive wins to make their winning streak seven games. Needing a win to clinch the fifth seed in the playoffs, Manning had one of his best career performances[according to whom?] against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday Night Football. He completed his first 17 passes of the game. In addition to completing his last six completions the prior week against the Detroit Lions, Manning's 23 straight completions fell one shy of the NFL record.[256] The Colts trailed 14–0 in the first half and 24–14 to start the fourth quarter. Manning led his seventh fourth quarter win of the season and the Colts put the game away with a defensive touchdown for a 31–24 victory to clinch a seventh consecutive playoff berth. Manning completed 29-of-34 passes (85.7%) for 364 yards and three touchdowns. It increased his NFL record streak of seasons with 25 touchdown passes to 11. Manning and the Colts tied an NFL record by winning three games in a season in which they trailed by at least 14 points.[257] For his efforts, Manning won AFC Offensive Player of the Week for the third time in the 2008 season. It was the 19th time he won the award, passing Dan Marino for the most all-time since the award was originated in 1984.[258] He also was selected as the FedEx Air Player of the Week. With the Colts' playoff seeding secured, Manning only played the opening drive in a shutout against the division-leading Titans in week 17. He completed all seven of his passes for 95 yards and a touchdown, extending his NFL record to nine seasons with 4,000 yards passing, and also extended the record to a sixth straight season he led the Colts to at least 12 wins.[259] At the end of the 2008 season, Manning was named NFL MVP for the third time, tying Brett Favre for the most MVP awards in NFL history.[260]
The day following the MVP award, the Colts faced their 2007 nemesis, the San Diego Chargers, in the Wild Card Round. Down 14–10 at the half, Manning put the Colts ahead 17–14 in the third quarter as he completed a 72-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Reggie Wayne. However, the Chargers tied the game in the fourth quarter as kicker Nate Kaeding nailed a 22-yard field goal. When San Diego won the overtime coin toss, they scored a touchdown on the first possession, ending the Colts' season for the second consecutive season. Manning was 25 of 42 for 310 yards and a touchdown in the loss.[261] At the end of the season, Tony Dungy retired.[262]
See also: 2009 Indianapolis Colts season
Under new head coach Jim Caldwell, Manning started the 2009 season with three consecutive wins and won AFC Offensive Player of the Month for the fourth time in his career.[263][264] In week 4, against the Seattle Seahawks, Manning threw 353 yards and two touchdowns for his fourth consecutive 300-yard passing game, setting a new franchise record in the 34–17 win.[265][266]
Manning helped lead the Colts to three more wins to get to a 7–0 record. Against the Houston Texans in week 9, Manning became the first quarterback to throw over 40,000 yards in a decade in the 20–17 victory.[267] He threw a career-high 25 passes in the first quarter, which were the most in any opening quarter since 1991, and had a career-high 40 pass attempts in the first half. He set a franchise record for most 300-yard passing games in a season with his seventh 300-yard effort of the season, which was an NFL record through the first eight games of a season.[268]