It’s implausible to imagine player who broke most coveted record in football being remembered as guy that couldn’t win big game. Peyton Manning bears that ugly scar. After shattering Dan Marino’s single season touchdown passing record, throwing for 49 TD passes, Manning’s legacy was almost guaranteed to be that of one of greatest signal callers ever. That is, until last Sunday, when in three repugnant hours of chaos and confusion, it all melted away.Previously known for his audacity, fieriness, passion for game and his methodically deliberate decision-making ability, Manning was undoubtedly most dominant player at his position. He seemed carry a certain aura that few before him ever possessed. The way he could read a defense, stare linebacker in eyes, shoot a factiously sly grin at him, and in an instant, he’d turn into a magician, and football would end up 50 yards downfield, with defender wondering when play was going to start.
Not only was Manning such an artisan at reading coverages, his arm strength and accuracy was and still is superior to any quarterback playing now. It’s not his arm that proved to be his undoing, problem was his swagger. Winning back to back MVP awards demands a degree of respect from league, and prior to being tumultuously exploited by New England Patriots secondary, a decimated secondary lacking it’s best player, Ty Law, Manning yielded a power that said he was man and nobody could stop him. Looks like someone shut power off.
But that was old Manning, truly “special” Manning. Now, Manning’s nothing more than a shell of his former self. He’s no longer a truly elite quarterback, just a good passer that wilted when his team needed him most.
As touchdown passes rained in Indy, numerous bandwagon hopping fans considered Manning one of greatest quarterbacks to ever play game. He isn’t even best quarterback in game right now, never mind one of greatest ever. Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady proved once and for all that he is a better player than Manning, last Sundays 20-3 dismantling of Colts confirmed that. And last season, seemingly infallible Manning was picked off four times in AFC Championship Game against none other than Brady and Pats. The only stat in football is wins, and Super Bowl trophies. Brady is a perfect 7-0 as a starting quarterback in playoffs. But what’s even more astounding, he’s 6-0 lifetime against Manning. Brady is also a two time Super Bowl MVP, at only 27 years old. Manning doesn’t have any Super Bowl wins or even appearances, and he’s a year older than Brady.