Top 5 Peyton Manning Moments with the Indianapolis Colts
By Andrew Ites
In honor of Peyton Manning’s statue being unveiled this weekend, we decided to take a look at the best moments of his Colts career.
5. Comeback Against The Buccaneers
The Colts were 4-0 heading into their Monday Night Football matchup with the defending Super Bowl champions in Tampa Bay.
Manning had just thrown a pick-six to Ronde Barber as the Colts fell down 35-14 with five minutes to go in regulation.
He then responded by leading three touchdown drives in five minutes, and set up a game-winning field goal in overtime to remain undefeated on the year.
4. Setting The Single-Season Touchdown Record
Peyton Manning‘s career-high in touchdowns was 33 heading into the 2004 season where he exploded for 49 TD’s breaking the single-season record.
Manning would break this record again with the Broncos in 2013, and still holds the record to this day.
3. First MVP Award
Manning won the first of his record five NFL MVP awards in his sixth NFL season in 2003.
He led the league in completion percentage and passing yards while throwing 29 touchdowns as he led the Colts to a 12-4 record and an AFC South division title.
2. 2006 AFC Championship Game
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Manning entered this game with a 4-10 record against the rival Patriots, and fell down 21-6 at halftime. However, he ended up throwing for 349 yards and earned his first comeback victory in his playoff career with a 38-34 win on their way to the Super Bowl.
1. Super Bowl XLI
Many skeptics thought that the rain in Miami would slow down the Colts’ high-flying offense, but Manning still threw for nearly 250 yards and the offense put up 22 points before Kelvin Hayden sealed the victory with a pick-six.
Manning finally got the proverbial monkey off of his back with his first Super Bowl victory winning the franchise’s first championship since the move to Indianapolis.