Peyton Manning
Encyclopedia
Peyton Williams Manning (born March 24, 1976) is an American football
quarterback
for the Indianapolis Colts
of the National Football League
(NFL). Manning holds the record for most NFL MVP awards with four. He was drafted by the Colts as the first overall pick in 1998
after a standout college football
career with the Tennessee Volunteers
. He is the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning
and the older brother of current New York Giants
quarterback Eli Manning
.
Manning holds NFL records for consecutive seasons with 4,000 or more yards passing and the most total seasons with 4,000 or more yards passing in a career. Manning holds the sixth highest career passer rating
(94.9) in NFL history and the highest single-season passer rating (121.1 in 2004). He is the all-time Colts franchise leader in career wins, career passing yards, pass attempts, pass completions, and passing touchdowns.
In 2009, he was listed by The Sporting News
as the No. 1 player in the NFL. Also in 2009, Fox Sports
named him player of the decade.
Since the Colts drafted Manning in 1998, the team has the highest conversion rate on 3rd down (44.6%) and 4th down (61.1%) plays in the NFL. While leading the Colts
to their Super Bowl XLI
victory in 2007
, Manning helped the team to an NFL record by converting 56.1% of its 3rd downs.
An extremely marketable player outside of football, Manning has appeared in numerous commercials, was featured on the covers of the NFL Fever games for the Xbox
, hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live
, and guest-voiced on The Simpsons
, along with his brothers, Eli and Cooper.
Manning's pre-snap routine has become one of the most recognizable scenes in the NFL. Prior to each play in a football game, the offensive team generally huddle
s; however, Manning and the Colts almost always skip the huddle, instead using a hurry-up offense
with numerous audibles at the line of scrimmage.
in New Orleans, Louisiana
. He led his team to a 34–5 record during three seasons as starter. 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.
instead of Ole Miss
, his father's alma mater
. 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.
As a freshman
, Manning was the third-string quarterback, but injuries to Todd Helton
and Jerry Colquitt
forced him to take over the Mississippi State
game, a 24–21 loss. In his first start, the following week against Washington State
, the Vols won, 10–9, and the Vols won all but one of their remaining games, finishing the season 8–4 with a 45–23 victory over Virginia Tech
in the Gator Bowl
.
Manning and the Vols started off the 1995 season
with victories over East Carolina
and Georgia, before heading off to Gainesville to play the Gators. Against Florida, he threw for 326 yards and 2 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. This would be the Vols' only loss of the season, as they won their remaining 8 regular season games, including a 41–14 win over Alabama
and then defeated Ohio State
in the Citrus Bowl
. The Vols ended the season ranked third and Manning came in sixth in Heisman Trophy
voting.
The Vols opened the 1996 season
ranked second behind Nebraska
and one of the favorites to win the national championship. However, after winning their first two games against UNLV
and UCLA
, the Vols again lost to Florida, 35–29, with Manning throwing four interceptions. After winning their next four games, the Vols were upset by Memphis
, despite Manning passing for 296 yards. The Vols won the remainder of their games, including a 48–28 win in the Citrus Bowl over Northwestern
, a game in which Manning passed for 408 yards and 4 touchdowns; he was named the game's MVP
.
Manning completed his degree in three years, and was projected to be the top overall pick in the NFL Draft
, but returned to Tennessee for his senior year. In his senior season
, 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. The Vols won the rest of their regular season games, finishing 10–1, and advanced to the SEC Championship
game against Auburn
. Down 20–7, Manning led the Vols to a 30–29 victory. Throwing for 4 touchdowns, he was named the game's MVP, but injured himself in the process. The 3rd-ranked Vols were matched-up with 2nd-ranked Nebraska in the Orange Bowl
; if Tennessee won and top-ranked Michigan
lost to Washington State
in the Rose Bowl
, the Vols would win 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. As a senior, Manning won numerous 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 Player
ESPY
award winner, among others; however, he did not win the Heisman, finishing runner-up to Charles Woodson
. In 2005, Tennessee retired Manning's number (#16). One of the streets leading to Neyland Stadium
has been re-named Peyton Manning Pass. Manning was elected to Phi Beta Kappa Society
in 1997.
by the Indianapolis Colts
. In his rookie season
, he passed for 3,739 yards with 26 touchdowns, set five different NFL rookie records, including most touchdown pass
es in a season, and was named to the NFL All-Rookie First Team. Manning's first win came against fellow rookie quarterback Ryan Leaf
, 17–12 over the Chargers
. Weeks later, Manning faced off against Steve Young; he threw three touchdowns, tying a Colts rookie record, but the 49ers
kicked a late field goal
to win, 34–31. In November against the Jets
, Manning threw for three touchdowns in a 24–23 win; he was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for this performance. It was the first game-winning drive of Manning's career, as he hit Marcus Pollard
with the game-winning TD pass. Manning was certainly a bright spot in 1998 for the Colts
, but he also threw a league high 28 interceptions as the team struggled to a 3–13 record, with a defense that surrendered more than 27 points per game. The Colts lost many close games, including five games in which they had led by double-digits at some point.
opened the 1999 season
with a 31–14 victory over Buffalo
, but gave up a 28–7 lead the following week against the Patriots and lost. After defeating San Diego
27–19 in a game in which Manning threw for over 400 yards, and was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for they lost again, to Miami
. The Colts responded by winning 11 of their remaining 12 games, finishing 13–3 and the AFC East champions. The 10 game turnaround from the previous year set an NFL record. As the second seed in the AFC, the Colts earned a first round bye, and faced Tennessee
in the playoffs
. The Colts lost 19–16 to the Super Bowl bound Titans and Manning was limited to one touchdown run. 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. In the Pro Bowl
, he passed for 270 yards with 2 touchdowns.
started the 2000 season
inconsistently. Following an opening week victory against Kansas City
, they blew a 21–0 lead against the Raiders
. The Colts responded with a Monday Night
victory against Jacksonville
, a 43–14 win in which Manning threw for 430 yards and 4 touchdowns; Manning was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week for this performance. The Colts won 4 of their next 5 games, including one against New England
in which Manning posted the first perfect passer rating
of his career, but then lost 4 of the 5 games following that. The Colts regained their momentum, winning their final 3 games, including a 31–10 win over Minnesota
on Week 17. Manning threw for 4 touchdowns in the win and was again named AFC Offensive Player of the Week and the win gave the Colts a 10–6 record as well as a wild card
spot in the playoffs. In the wild card game, the Colts fell to the Dolphins
, 23–17 in overtime. Manning passed for 194 yards and a touchdown in the loss. He finished the season with and and was named Second-team All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl. At the Pro Bowl
, Manning threw two touchdown passes.
introduced the league to their now-signature no-huddle offense, and used it to great effect in a Week 1 rout of the Jets
, 45–24. Two weeks later (Week two games were not played as scheduled due to the 9/11 attacks, the Colts advanced to 2–0 with a win over Buffalo
, behind Manning's 421 yards passing. He was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week for this game. However, the Colts lost the following week to New England
, and continued their slide losing their following two games. The Colts briefly rebounded, winning two games, but then lost seven of their last nine, including a 40-21 home loss to the 49ers
. After Manning threw a career-high four interceptions in that game, coach Jim Mora uttered his infamous "Playoffs? Don't talk about playoffs. Are you kidding me. Playoffs? I'm just hoping we can win a game, another game" press conference. Despite the 6-10 record, Manning finished the season with , , and 4 rushing touchdowns as the offense produced the second most points in the league. However, the defense allowed the most points and Jim Mora was fired after the season.
would become Manning's second head coach in the NFL. The Colts started off the 2002 season
4–1, before a 3 game losing streak sent them to 4–4. The Colts responded by winning all but two of their remaining games, including a 35–13 upset of the 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. However, the Colts were pummeled by the Jets in the Wild Card game, 41–0, with Manning passing for only 137 yards. He finished the year with and and was named to the Pro Bowl team. In the Pro Bowl
, Manning completed five of eleven passes for 100 yards and a touchdown.
began the season 5–0, including a 55–21 blowout of the Saints in which Manning played his third perfect passer rating game and threw a career-high six TD passes, earning him AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
On Monday Night Football against the defending champion Buccaneers, Manning and the Colts trailed 35-14 in the final five minutes. After one short TD drive, the Colts recovered the onside kick. Manning threw a 28 yard TD pass to Marvin Harrison on 4th & 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 TD. He set up the 29 yard winning field goal in overtime for a stunning 38-35 win. It was the first and only time in NFL history a team won a game after trailing by 21 points in the final 4 minutes of regulation. Manning passed for 386 yards in the game.
After an overtime loss to Carolina
, the Colts won all but three of their remaining games, finishing 12–4. On November 30 the Colts hosted the 9-2 Patriots in what would be the beginning of the NFL's top rivalry of the 2000s. The Colts trailed 31-10 late in the third quarter before Manning threw three TD 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 and score the winning TD. Edgerrin James was stuffed on 4th down by Willie McGinest
and the Patriots won. In a Week 14 win against Atlanta
, Manning threw for five touchdowns and was named player of the week a second time. He also earned AFC Offensive Player of the Month honors for the month of October.
In the Wild Card playoff round Manning and the Colts defeated the Denver Broncos
41–10, his first playoff win. He passed for 377 yards and 5 touchdowns in the game, earning him a perfect passer rating, his second of the season and the fourth of his career. After the game, Manning was awarded Player of the Week honors for the third time that season. In the divisional playoffs, Manning led the Colts to a 38–31 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Neither team punted in the game. In the AFC title game 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 24–14.
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
. Manning also received the ESPY Award for Best NFL Player
. Manning led the league with and threw 29 touchdowns; he was named First-team All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl. He passed for 342 yards and 3 touchdowns in the Pro Bowl
, a 55–52 loss.
opened the season with a 27–24 loss to the Patriots, after Mike Vanderjagt
missed a game tying field goal in the closing seconds of the game. The Colts won their next four games including a 45–31 win over Green Bay
in which Manning threw 5 touchdowns, earning him AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors, but then lost their next two games, to Jacksonville and Kansas City, despite Manning throwing for 840 yards combined in the two games. The Colts responded well, winning their next 8 games before losing their final regular season game to Denver, a game in which Manning played only the first series. During the month of November, Manning was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week twice; once for his 5 touchdown performance in a 49–14 blowout of Houston
and once for his performance in a 41–9 win at Detroit
on Thanksgiving in which he threw 6 touchdowns in less than three quarters. Due to his performances in November, Manning earned AFC Offensive Player of the Month honors. He was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for a fourth time in the week 16 game against San Diego where he led the Colts to a 34–31 victory after trailing by fifteen in the fourth quarter. With the Colts facing a 4th & 4 at their own 26, Manning waved the punt team off the field and completed a 19 yard pass to Reggie Wayne for the first down. He finished the drive with a 21 yard TD pass to Brandon Stokley, his 49th TD 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.
During the season, Manning threw for 4,557 yards, had a record 121.1 passer rating and record 49 touchdown passes (since broken)., 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. The Colts finished the season with a 12–4 record and their second straight AFC South title. Three Colts receivers had 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns that season, also a record.
In the Wild Card game against Denver, Manning passed for 458 yards and 4 touchdowns. However, the Colts' 2004 season ended in Foxborough
for a second straight year with a 20–3 loss against New England, when 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. Manning was named a Pro Bowl starter; in the Pro Bowl
, he threw 3 touchdowns in a 38–27 victory and was named the game's MVP. Manning was also a unanimous First-team All-Pro selection.
In 2005
, the Colts had a greatly improved defense over that of recent years. Combining this with their offense, they won their first 13 games, including a 40–21 rout of the two-time defending Super Bowl Champions, New England. This was Manning's first road win against the Patriots in 8 attempts, and his 3 touchdowns passes earned him AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors. By week 15, the Colts had a perfect 13–0 record, and had secured the AFC South and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Nevertheless, Tony Dungy
made the decision to play all of his regular starters against the Chargers. However, the Colts played a sub-par game against the Chargers and fell short of the win; the score was 26–17. Manning finished the season with , the first time he had thrown for under 4,000 yards since his rookie season of 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.
In the playoffs, the Pittsburgh Steelers
visited the RCA Dome
for the second AFC divisional playoff game of the 2005 season. In the 4th quarter with only a few minutes left in the game, Manning threw what looked to be the game-ending interception to Troy Polamalu
, but the interception was overturned (a call the NFL later admitted was incorrect). The Colts went on to score, and were able to get the ball back down three points near the end of the game. On 4th 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 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
managed to dive in front of Harper and tackle him by the leg, saving a touchdown. Then the Colts drove down the field to the Steelers 27 yard line, before Mike Vanderjagt missed a field goal as time ran out.
Manning came in second in voting for the MVP award to Shaun Alexander
ending his streak at two years. 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
. Manning was also named First-team All-Pro for the third consecutive year and named to the Pro Bowl squad; in the Pro Bowl
, he threw one touchdown pass and three interceptions.
Manning opened the 2006 season
against his brother Eli's New York Giants on Sunday Night Football (the first "Manning Bowl"). It was the first NFL game with starting quarterbacks that were brothers, and Peyton's team won 26-21. Manning passed for 400 yards against the Texans in a 43-24 victory, which earned him AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors (he also won the award for his 345 yards and 4 TD passes against the Redskins in week 7). A second trip to New York, this time to play the Jets, produced another Colts win. After taking the lead twice in the fourth quarter, Manning had to lead a third scoring drive, this time finishing with a 1-yard QB sneak rushing TD in the last minute for a 31-28 win.
At Denver, 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 3 TDs. Following a second straight season with a win at New England, then a home win against Buffalo, the Colts were the NFL's last unbeaten team at 9-0. Their first loss would come in Dallas. Plagued by a run defense that would allow over 100 yards in every game, the Colts were 11-4 heading into their final game. Against Miami, Manning threw for 282 yards, 2 TDs and rushed for another TD. The Colts won 27-22, were AFC South division champions, and clinched the third seed in the AFC playoffs. Manning was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week. 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. Manning helped the offense set a NFL record for third down conversion rate in a season (56.1%).
Despite three interceptions, Manning completed 30 out of 38 passes as the Colts beat the Kansas City Chiefs in the Wild Card playoff game by a score of 23–8. The following week they were limited to five field goals and no touchdowns, but defeated the Baltimore Ravens
, 15–6. In the AFC Championship game against the rival Patriots, the Colts trailed 14–3 when Manning threw an interception that was returned for a TD 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 TD drive to take the lead for the first time in the game. He finished the game with 349 yards passing and two touchdowns (1 rushing). The comeback was the largest deficit ever overcome in a conference championship.
Manning led the Colts to a 29–17 victory over the Chicago Bears
in Super Bowl XLI
and was voted Super Bowl MVP
. Manning, who had been criticized for failing to win big games, exorcised his big-game demons with the win. "In years' past when our team's come up short, it's been disappointing," he told reporters. "Somehow we found a way to have learned from some of those losses and we've been a better team because of it." For his role in the Colts' championship run, Manning was awarded the ESPY for Best Championship Performance
. Manning was again named to the Pro Bowl and was also named Second-team All-Pro; in the Pro Bowl
he played only two series, passing for 67 yards. Following the Super Bowl win, Manning agreed to restructure his contract to save the Colts $8.2 million in salary cap space.
opened the NFL season with 7 wins, pitting them against an undefeated Patriots squad in a match-up that was being called "Super Bowl 41.5". Manning and Addai helped the Colts to a 13–7 half-time lead, and an early fourth quarter touchdown upped the lead to 20–10. However, Brady led the Patriots to two late touchdowns, to hand Manning his first loss of the season, 24–20. Manning finished the game with 225 yards passing, including a passing touchdown. He also had a rushing touchdown.
Manning did not bounce back from the loss well. Against the San Diego Chargers he threw for a career-worst and franchise-record 6 interceptions. Despite this, he was able to rally the Colts from a 23–0 deficit to 23–21, and gave Adam Vinatieri an opportunity to take the lead with a 29-yard field goal. Vinatieri's miss sunk the Colts to 7–2. 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 , allowing him to overtake 40,000 in his career. The victory was Manning's 100th.
The Colts won their next 5 games, securing yet another AFC South title, as well as the AFC's number two seed in the play-offs. In the final game of the regular season, Manning played only two series before being replaced with back-up Jim Sorgi
; the Colts lost the game to the Titans, 16–10. Manning finished the season with , , and a quarterback rating of 98.0. In the divisional round of the playoffs, Manning and the Colts lost to the Chargers, 28–24. Manning helped the Colts to 4 different leads but could not lead a final touchdown drive for the win. Manning finished the game with and . Peyton was widely viewed during Super Bowl XLII
as he cheered on brother Eli and the New York Giants in their upset of the New England Patriots. Manning was named a Pro Bowl starter and passed for 147 yards and a touchdown in three series.
In the first regular season game at new Lucas Oil Stadium
, the Colts lost 29–13 to the Chicago Bears
. The following week they fell behind 15–0 to the Minnesota Vikings in the 2nd half before rallying to win the game on Adam Vinatieri's 47 yard field goal. Manning passed for 311 yards as the Colts avoided their first 0–2 start since Manning's rookie season. Week 3 matched the Colts with division rival Jacksonville. Manning threw 2 interceptions in the game, including one that was returned for a TD by Rashean Mathis
. Jacksonville rushed for 236 yards and held the ball for over 41 minutes. Still, trailing by 6 late in the game Manning led the Colts on a 77-yard TD drive to take a 21–20 lead. Jacksonville kicker Josh Scobee
made a 51 yard field goal to win the game and drop the Colts to 1–2.
For the third week in a row, Manning used the 4th quarter to bring the Colts back from a 27–10 deficit in the last 5 minutes against the Houston Texans
to a 31–27 victory. It was the first time an NFL team had won a game in regulation after trailing by 17 points in the last 5 minutes. Manning threw a 7 yard TD pass on 4th & 6 to rookie tight end Tom Santi
to make the deficit 27–17. Houston QB Sage Rosenfels
, starting for the injured Matt Schaub
, then fumbled the ball on a scramble, and it was returned 68 yards for a TD by Gary Brackett
. After another Rosenfels fumble, Manning threw the 5-yard game-winning TD pass to Reggie Wayne
. The Colts scored 3 TDs in 2:10.
On October 12 Manning led the Colts to a 31–3 blow out win at Lucas Oil Stadium
against the Baltimore Ravens
to avoid their first 0–3 start at home since 1997. Manning was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for the 17th time in his career for his effort of 3 TD passes and 271 yards passing. 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 Baltimore game.
The Colts suffered their largest margin of defeat, 34–14, in Green Bay the following week. Manning threw 2 interceptions that were returned for touchdowns (2nd time in career; 1st was 9/30/01 vs. New England Patriots
). The next week the Colts went into Tennessee on Monday Night Football
to face the 6–0 Titans. They led 14–6 in the 3rd quarter, but Tennessee scored 25 unanswered for a 31–21 victory and almost assured the Colts they would not win the AFC South division title for the first time in 6 seasons. At 3–4 the Colts opened up November with their annual showdown against the New England Patriots
on Sunday Night Football. The game lacked the luster the rivalry has carried, as there was no Tom Brady
, no undefeated season on the line, and neither team was in 1st place of their division. Still, the game was close all the way. Tied at 15 in the 4th 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, 2 touchdowns and no interceptions. The Colts were 4–4 halfway through the season and still alive in the AFC playoff race.
In week 10 the Colts traveled to Pittsburgh, who had the league's #1 defense. They trailed 17–7 in the 2nd quarter before Manning found Dallas Clark
for a 2-yard TD to end the half 17–14. Down 20–17 in the 4th quarter, Manning found Dominic Rhodes
uncovered for a 17 yard TD pass that would put the Colts up 24–20 for the rest of the game. It was Manning's 4th game-winning drive (35th of his career) this season. He completed 21 of 40 for 240 yards and 3 touchdowns (the 50th game of his career with 3+ TD passes). It was the first time the Colts have won in Pittsburgh since 1968 (12 straight losses before this win). Against Houston, Manning passed for 320 yards and 2 TDs while leading 5 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 2nd time this season (18th time, career)
At San Diego, Manning threw for 255 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT in a 23–20 victory. The interception snapped a career-best streak of 140 pass attempts without an interception. After the Chargers rallied from a 10 point deficit in the 4th to tie the game, Manning led the game-winning drive by completing a 14 yard pass to Marvin Harrison on 4th and inches at midfield. Adam Vinateri kicked the winning 51 yard field goal three plays later. It was Manning's 5th game-winning drive this season. Manning passed for a season-low 125 yards at Cleveland, but the Colts won their 5th straight game, by a final of 10–6.
In a 35–3 victory against the Cincinnati Bengals
, Manning threw 3 TD passes while completing 26 of 32 passes for 277 yards. It marked the 11th straight season Manning had thrown at least 20 TD passes, the 2nd longest streak ever. Against the 0–13 Detroit Lions
, the Colts found themselves in a 21–21 game in the 4th quarter. Manning led his 6th game-winning drive of the season and the Colts pulled away 31–21. It marked their 7th straight win, 7th straight season with 10+ wins, and they became the only team in NFL history to have a winning streak of at least 7 games in 5 straight seasons. Manning completed 28 of 37 passes for 318 yards and 1 TD.
Needing a win to clinch the 5th seed in the playoffs, Manning had one of his best career performances in Jacksonville on Thursday Night Football. He completed his first 17 passes of the game. In addition to completing his last 6 against Detroit, Manning's 23 straight completions fell one shy of the NFL record (Donovan McNabb – 24). The Colts trailed 14–0 in the first half and 24–14 to start the 4th quarter. Manning led his 7th 4th quarter win of the season and the Colts put the game away with a defensive TD for a 31–24 victory to clinch a 7th consecutive playoff berth. Manning completed 29 of 34 passes (85.7%) for 364 yards and 3 TDs. It increased his NFL record streak of seasons with 25 TD passes to 11. Manning and the Colts tied a NFL record by winning 3 games in a season in which they trailed by at least 14 points. For his efforts Manning won AFC Offensive Player of the Week for the third time in 2008. It was the 19th time he has won the award, passing Dan Marino for the most all-time since the award was originated in 1984. He also was selected as the FedEx Air Player of the Week
. With the playoff seed secured, Manning only played the opening drive in a shutout against the division-leading Titans in Week 17. He completed all 7 of his passes for 95 yards and a TD, extending his NFL record to nine seasons with 4000 yards passing, and also extended the record to a sixth straight season he led the Colts to at least 12 wins. At the end of the 2008 season, Manning was named NFL MVP for the 3rd time, tying Brett Favre
for the most MVP awards in NFL history.
The day following the MVP award, the Colts played their 2007 nemesis, the Chargers, in their wild-card playoff game. 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. But the Chargers tied the game in the fourth quarter as kicker Nate Kaeding nailed a 22-yard field goal. When San Diego won the coin toss, they scored on the first possession, ending the Colts season.
(W 14–12): Under new head coach Jim Caldwell, Manning started the 2009 season with a victory by throwing for 301 yards.
Week 2 at Miami Dolphins
(W 27–23): On Monday Night Football, Manning led his 29th fourth quarter comeback (38th game-winning drive) by throwing for 303 yards and 2 TD passes, despite only having the ball for 14:53, the lowest time of possession for a winning team in the NFL since they began tracking the statistic in 1977. The win was Manning's 119th in the regular season, moving him past Johnny Unitas for 5th all time.
Week 3 at Arizona Cardinals
(W 31–10): Manning passed for 379 yards and had 4 TD passes for the 18th time in his career (moving him ahead of Johnny Unitas into third on the NFL career list) in his first ever NFL game played in Arizona. It was his 50th regular season game with 300 yards passing (third consecutive). For his efforts in September, Manning was named AFC Offensive Player of the Month for the fourth time in his career.
Week 4 vs Seattle Seahawks
(W 34–17): Manning passed for 353 yards and 2 TDs. His fourth consecutive 300-yard passing game set a new franchise record.
Week 5 at Tennessee Titans
(W 31–9): Manning passed for 309 yards and 3 TDs. In the process he moved into sole possession of 3rd place in passing touchdowns (345) and 5th all-time in passing yards (47,273), surpassing Fran Tarkenton
in both categories.
Week 7 at St. Louis Rams
(W 42–6): Though only throwing for 235 yards (ending his streak of five consecutive 300-yard passing games; record is 6), Manning threw three TD passes and led the Colts to their 15th straight regular season win and set a franchise-record with an eighth straight road win.
Week 8 vs. San Francisco 49ers
(W 18–14): Held without a TD pass for the first time in 10 games, Manning threw for 347 yards and running back Joseph Addai
threw the game-winning TD pass on a trick play to start the 4th quarter for Indy's 16th consecutive regular season win.
Week 9 vs. Houston Texans
(W 20–17): Manning reached several milestones in leading the Colts to becoming the fourth team in NFL history with 17 straight regular-season wins. He moved past Fran Tarkenton for 4th all-time in wins with 125. He became the first quarterback to pass for over 40,000 yards in a decade. He threw a career-high 25 passes in the 1st quarter (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 (also a NFL record through the first 8 games of a season ). He led his third 4th quarter comeback of the season.
Week 10 vs. New England Patriots
(W 35–34): Trailing 31–14 early in the 4th quarter, Manning led the Colts on three touchdown drives for his 32nd 4th quarter comeback victory. He threw a 1-yard winning TD pass to Reggie Wayne with 13 seconds remaining. For the game, Manning had 4 TD passes and 327 yards passing, his eighth 300 yard passing game of the season. The 18 straight regular season wins are tied for the second longest streak in NFL history. He was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for the 20th time.
Week 11 at Baltimore Ravens
(W 17–15): Manning fell one yard shy of reaching 300 yards passing in the 19th consecutive regular season win for the Colts. For the first time in NFL history, a team won four straight games after trailing in the 4th quarter as Manning led the game-winning field goal drive. He surpassed 3000 yards passing for the 12th straight season.
Week 12 at Houston Texans
(W 35–27): After trailing 17–0 in the second quarter, the Colts rallied back behind three Manning TD passes for their 20th straight regular season win to clinch the AFC South division title. It was the fifth straight game Manning led a game-winning drive in the 4th quarter, another NFL record. It was his 34th comeback win in the 4th quarter, tying him with John Elway and Johnny Unitas for the second most in NFL history.
Week 13 vs. Tennessee Titans
(W 27–17): Manning used a 24–10 halftime lead and a time-consuming field goal drive in the 4th quarter to secure the Colts' record-tying 21st straight regular season win. They also extended their record to 7 straight seasons with at least 12 wins and tied the 1990 49ers for the most wins in a decade (113).
Week 14 vs. Denver Broncos
(W 28–16): Manning threw 3 TD passes for a 21–0 lead, then after a season-high 3 interceptions, threw a game-clinching TD pass to Dallas Clark as the Colts clinched the #1 seed in the AFC, and set NFL records for most consecutive regular seasons wins (22) and most wins in a decade (114). It was also the 13th straight win at home, a franchise record.
Week 15 at Jacksonville Jaguars
(W 35–31): For a record 7th time in a season (35th career), Manning led the Colts to victory after trailing in the 4th quarter on Thursday Night Football. In a performance similar to his MVP-clinching game in 2008 at Jacksonville, Manning completed 23 of 30 passes for 308 yards and 4 TDs. He was 12/12 in the first half with 2 TD passes on the only two offensive possessions the Colts had in the half. On 3rd & 5 with just over five minutes remaining in the game, Manning threw the 65 yard game winning TD pass to Reggie Wayne as the Colts became the third team to ever start a season 14–0 (1972 Dolphins, 2007 Patriots), and in the process, tied or broke several passing marks: Manning went over 4,000 yards passing for a record 10th time in his career. He had his ninth 300-yard passing game of the season, one shy of the NFL record of ten 300-yard passing games in a season. It was also the 21st time Manning threw 4 TDs in a game, tying Marino for 2nd all-time. Finally, his 23rd consecutive regular season win broke Jim McMahon
's NFL record of 22 straight wins with the Chicago Bears from 1984-87.
Week 16 vs. New York Jets
(L 29-15): Manning completed 14/21 passes for 192 yards to became the fourth QB in NFL history to pass for 50,000 yards, and is the fastest and youngest to reach that mark. However, the Colts suffered their first loss of the season, putting an end to the record 23 game streak in the regular season. After building a 9-0 lead, the Colts trailed 10-9 when the Jets returned the opening kickoff of the third quarter for a TD. Manning led the Colts on an 81 yard TD drive (two-point conversion failed) to take a 15-10 lead. With 5:36 remaining in the third quarter, rookie back up Curtis Painter
replaced Manning at QB as Colts coach Jim Caldwell began to rest his starters for the remainder of the game. As the crowd booed the decision, Painter fumbled on his second possession and it was returned for the go ahead score. The Jets would outscore the Colts 19-0 after Manning was taken out. When asked about the decision, Manning said, "I was prepared that that potentially could be the case. I wasn't surprised when that news was told to me."
Week 17 at Buffalo Bills
(L 30-7): Manning only played the first three series before sitting out the rest of the game, which was played in several inches of snow. He completed 14 of 18 passes for 95 yards and one interception to finish the season with 4,500 yards passing and a 99.9 passer rating. The Colts were outscored 49-7 since the decision to bench Manning and other starters in week 16 against the Jets.
Manning was awarded his fourth MVP, breaking the NFL record for most MVPs by a single player. He was also selected to the AP All-Pro team for the fifth time in his career.
AFC Divisional vs. Baltimore Ravens (W 20-3): Manning threw 2 TD passes late in the first half to build a 17-3 halftime lead which the defense would hold in the second half. He completed 30 passes for 246 yards in leading his eight straight victory over the Ravens.
AFC Championship vs. New York Jets (W 30-17) Against the top-ranked defense of the Jets, Manning overcame a 17-6 deficit late in the second quarter to lead the Colts to 24 unanswered points in a 30-17 win. He completed 26 of 39 passes for 377 yards, 3 touchdowns and no turnovers in clinching his second Super Bowl appearance. The 11 point comeback was the third largest in a championship game (the largest being the 18 point rally Manning led against New England in the 2006 AFC Championship). Manning set a playoff record with his seventh 300 yard passing game in the postseason.
Super Bowl XLIV vs. New Orleans Saints (L 31-17) Against his hometown team, Manning led the Colts to a 10-0 lead after their two first quarter drives, throwing a TD pass to Pierre Garcon to cap off a 96 yard drive (tied for longest in Super Bowl history). After running just six plays in the second quarter, the Colts led 10-6 at halftime. The Saints recovered an onside kick to start the second half and took their first lead, 13-10. Manning led a go ahead TD drive to regain the lead. Leading 17-16 at the start of the 4th quarter, Matt Stover
missed a 51 yard field goal for the Colts. The Saints scored the go ahead TD and two-point conversion to take a 24-17 lead with 5:42 left. Manning took over and moved the Colts to the Saints' 31 yard line. Facing a 3rd & 5 with 3:24 left, his pass intended for Reggie Wayne was intercepted by Tracy Porter
, who returned it 74 yards for a critical TD and 31-17 Saints lead. Manning drove the Colts down to the 5 yard line in the last minute, but his 4th & goal pass was dropped by Reggie Wayne at the goal line. The Saints won their first Super Bowl, dropping Manning to 9-9 in the postseason (1-1 Super Bowl record). Manning passed for 333 yards on 31/45, with 1 TD and 1 interception.
(L 34–24): In a season-opening loss in Houston, Manning set career highs in pass attempts (57) and completions (40), throwing for 3 TDs and 433 yards, the fourth highest opening-weekend total ever. It was his 8th 400 yard passing game in the regular season, putting him in sole possession of 2nd place all time (Dan Marino, 13).
Week 2 vs. New York Giants
(W 38-14): Manning played against his brother Eli in the second "Manning Bowl" on Sunday Night Football. Peyton outdueled his brother, throwing for 3 TDs, and 255 yards.
Week 3 at Denver Broncos
(W 27-13): Manning passed for 325 yards, 3 TDs and no interceptions, marking the first time since 1960 a QB began a season with three consecutive games of at least 3 TD passes and zero interceptions.
Week 4 at Jacksonville Jaguars
(L 31-28): Manning led two different game-tying TD drives in the fourth quarter, the last coming with 0:48 remaining. Jacksonville won the game on a 59 yard field goal by Josh Scobee
on the final play. Manning passed for 352 yards and 2 TDs, surpassing John Elway
for third all time in career passing yardage.
Week 5 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
(W 19-9): Manning failed to throw a TD for the first time in 2010, but led the Colts on a game-winning drive in the 4th quarter (45th of his career) to hand the Chiefs their first loss of the season.
Week 6 at Washington Redskins
(W 27-24): Manning passed for 307 yards and 2 TDs on Sunday Night Football. Including the playoffs, he has 68 career games with 300+ yards passing, moving him ahead of Dan Marino (67) for the most in NFL history.
Week 8 vs. Houston Texans (W 30-17): Manning passed for 268 yards and 2 TDs to improve to 9-0 at home against the Texans and 11-3 on Monday Night Football
, the best Monday night record for any starting QB (min. 10 wins).
Week 9 at Philadelphia Eagles
(L 26-24): Making his 200th consecutive regular season start, Manning passed for 294 yards and a TD, but was intercepted twice by Asante Samuel; the second coming with six seconds remaining as Manning tried to get the Colts in position for a winning field goal.
Week 10 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
(W 23-17): Manning was held to a season-low 185 yards passing and no touchdowns, but improved to 7-0 as a career starter against the Bengals.
Week 11 at New England Patriots (L 31-28): Trailing 31-14 in the fourth quarter, Manning threw two TD passes to Blair White
to make it 31-28. After driving to the New England twenty-four, Manning's first down pass was intercepted by James Sanders with thirty-one seconds remaining, securing the Patriot win. Manning passed for 396 yards, 4 TDs and 3 interceptions. The game marked the 22nd time Manning threw 4 TDs in a game, breaking a tie with Dan Marino
for second-most all-time.
Week 12 vs. San Diego Chargers (L 36-14): Manning passed for 285 yards, 2 TDs, and 4 interceptions (two were returned for scores) in the largest margin of defeat at home in his NFL career. It was Manning's third career game with at least four interceptions (twice against San Diego). It was the fifth loss of the season for Indianapolis, ending the record streak of seven consecutive seasons with 12+ wins.
Week 13 vs. Dallas Cowboys
(L 38-35 OT): For the second straight game, Manning finished with 2 TD passes and 4 interceptions (two returned for scores) as the Colts lost in overtime. The first interception return resulted in a 17-0 deficit in the first half. After taking a lead, the Colts trailed 35-28 late in the fourth quarter as Manning then engineered an 81-yard tying TD drive to force overtime. On their second possession in OT, Manning's third down pass was intercepted and returned to the Colts' 36 yard line. Dallas kicked the winning field goal six plays later. Manning threw for 365 yards.
Week 14 at Tennessee Titans (W 30-28): Manning bounced back on Thursday Night Football with an interception-free performance, passing for 319 yards and 2 TDs. He went over 4000 yards passing for the 11th time in a season, and tied Dan Marino with his 63rd regular season game with 300+ yards passing. Manning was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for this game.
Week 15 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (W 34-24): Manning passed for 229 yards and 2 TDs as the Colts prevented Jacksonville from claiming the AFC South with a victory.
Week 16 vs. Oakland Raiders (W 31-26): Manning passed for 179 yards and 3 TDs, and had a 27 yard rush on third-and-two in the fourth quarter to clinch a third straight win for the Colts.
Week 17 vs. Tennessee Titans (W 23-20): Manning led the 46th game-winning drive of his career as the Colts won the AFC South for the seventh time in eight years, and Manning became the first QB in NFL history to lead his team to nine consecutive postseason berths (2002–2010). It was the 208th consecutive regular season start of his career, breaking Gene Upshaw
's record. For the season, Manning finished with a NFL record 450 completions on 679 attempts (2nd most in history), and a career-high 4700 yards passing.
AFC Wild Card vs. New York Jets (L 17-16): With 2:36 remaining in the fourth quarter and the Colts trailing 14-13, Manning led a 48-yard drive that ended in a 50 yard FG by Adam Vinatieri, putting the Colts ahead 16-14 with 0:53 remaining. The Jets won the game on a FG as time expired, ending the season for Manning and the Colts. Manning completed 18 of 26 passes for 225 yards and a TD.
on Manning on February 15, 2011. On July 30, 2011, the Colts signed Manning to a 5 year, $90 million contract after negotiations in which he made it clear that he did not need to be the highest-paid player in the NFL.
After a setback in his recovery from a May 23 neck surgery, on September 7, 2011 the Colts officially ruled Manning out for the season opener against Houston, ending his consecutive starts streak of 208 games (227 including playoffs)
; the Colts signed Kerry Collins
out of retirement and named him interim starting quarterback. After seeking other opinions, Manning had another surgery on September 8, 2011. This surgery was a one-level cervical neck fusion, and the typical minimum recovery time is reportedly two to three months.
. He married his wife, Ashley, in Memphis on St. Patrick's Day in 2001. Ashley was introduced to him by her parents' next-door neighbor the summer before Manning's freshman year in college. Peyton and wife Ashley have twins, a boy and a girl, Marshall Williams and Mosley Thompson.
During the summer, Archie, Peyton, Eli, and Cooper run the Manning Passing Academy, a five day camp which aims to improve the offensive skills of quarterbacks, wide receiver
s, tight end
s, and running back
s. In addition to the Mannings, the camp has included many prominent players from football as coaches, such as Colts wide receivers Marvin Harrison
and Reggie Wayne
.
Peyton, along with Archie, authored a book entitled Manning: A Father, His Sons, and a Football Legacy, which was released in 2000. The book covers Archie's and Cooper's lives and careers, and Peyton's life and career up to the time that the book was released, and examines football from both Archie's and Peyton's points-of-view.
In 2009, Peyton, Eli, and Archie co-authored a children's book entitled Family Huddle, which describes in simple text and pictures how the three Manning brothers played football as young boys (Scholastic Press; illustrations by Jim Madsen).
Manning has donated over $8,000 to Republican
politicians, among them Fred Thompson, Bob Corker
, and former President George W. Bush
.
Manning made an appearance on Saturday Night Live's sports extra in 2008 in which he was in a children's football scene, and a high school basketball scene.
An ESPN
This is SportsCenter
ad from 2006 features the entire Manning family; parents Archie and Olivia, with their sons Peyton, Eli and Cooper, touring the SportCenter studios with Peyton and Eli engaging in horseplay behind everybody.
He was also featured in one of a series of DirecTV
commercials where celebrities are seen in their element, then suddenly begin addressing the viewer
. In his commercial they parodied his pre-snap audible routine and known delay in calling for the ball by having him pitch NFL Sunday Ticket
instead of changing the play during a blowout game against the Tennessee Titans. Manning also appears in advertisements for St. Mary's Medical Center in Knoxville, Tennessee
.
Manning also hosted Saturday Night Live
with musical guest Carrie Underwood
on March 24, 2007, his 31st birthday. The episode earned the show's highest household rating in more than 10 months in the metered markets. During his opening, he alluded to his most-marketable status by joking that he had accomplished two of his life goals: his team, the Colts, winning a Super Bowl and his appearance on over half of America's television commercials. He has also won the Favorite Male Athlete award for the Kids Choice Awards.
On May 27, 2007 Manning waved the green flag to begin the 91st Indianapolis 500
.
In 2009, Manning guest-voiced (with his brothers, Eli and Cooper) on an episode of The Simpsons called "O Brother, Where Bart Thou?
" in which Bart dreams of having a baby brother and sees such famous brothers as The Marx Brothers, The Blues Brothers, The Wright Brothers, The Mario Brothers, and The Manning Brothers.
Manning, along with his brother Eli, volunteered their assistance in the wake of Hurricane Katrina
. Among the tasks performed, the Mannings assisted in the delivery of 30,000 pounds of water, Gatorade, baby formula, diapers, and pillows to the people of New Orleans.
On September, 2007, St. Vincent Hospital
in Indianapolis renamed its children's hospital to "Peyton Manning Children's Hospital at St. Vincent." Manning and his wife made a donation of an undisclosed amount to St. Vincent's and have had a relationship with the hospital since his arrival in Indianapolis.
Additionally, Manning has been named the AFC Offensive Player of the Month four times (9/2003, 11/2004, 10/2006, 9/2009) and Offensive Player of the Week on 21 occasions (20 AFC, 1 NFL/playoff).
(Updated January 3, 2011)
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
for the Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
(NFL). Manning holds the record for most NFL MVP awards with four. He was drafted by the Colts as the first overall pick in 1998
1998 NFL Draft
The 1998 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 18-19, 1998...
after a standout college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
career with the Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee Volunteers football
The Tennessee Volunteers football team are an American college football team at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville . The NCAA Division I team is also a member of the Southeastern Conference ....
. He is the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning
Archie Manning
Elisha Archibald "Archie" Manning III is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League, playing for the New Orleans Saints from 1971 to 1982, then for the Houston Oilers and Minnesota Vikings...
and the older brother of current New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
quarterback Eli Manning
Eli Manning
Eli Nelson Manning is an American football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He is the younger brother of NFL quarterback Peyton Manning and the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning...
.
Manning holds NFL records for consecutive seasons with 4,000 or more yards passing and the most total seasons with 4,000 or more yards passing in a career. Manning holds the sixth highest career passer rating
Passer rating
Passer rating is a measure of the performance of quarterbacks or any other passers in American football and Canadian football. There are at least two formulae currently in use: one officially used by the National Football League and the Canadian Football League, and one used in college football...
(94.9) in NFL history and the highest single-season passer rating (121.1 in 2004). He is the all-time Colts franchise leader in career wins, career passing yards, pass attempts, pass completions, and passing touchdowns.
In 2009, he was listed by The Sporting News
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
as the No. 1 player in the NFL. Also in 2009, Fox Sports
Fox Sports (USA)
Fox Sports is a division of the Fox Broadcasting Company . It was formed in 1994 with Fox's acquisition of broadcast rights to National Football League games...
named him player of the decade.
Since the Colts drafted Manning in 1998, the team has the highest conversion rate on 3rd down (44.6%) and 4th down (61.1%) plays in the NFL. While leading the Colts
2006 Indianapolis Colts season
The 2006 Indianapolis Colts season was the 54th season for the team in the National Football League and 23rd in Indianapolis. The 2006 Colts season began with the team trying to maintain or improve on their regular season record of 14–2 from the 2005 season, and advance farther into the playoffs....
to their Super Bowl XLI
Super Bowl XLI
Super Bowl XLI was an American football game that featured the American Football Conference champion Indianapolis Colts and the National Football Conference champion Chicago Bears to decide the National Football League champion for the 2006 season...
victory in 2007
2006 NFL season
The 2006 NFL season was the 87th regular season of the National Football League.Regular season play was held from September 7 to December 31, 2006...
, Manning helped the team to an NFL record by converting 56.1% of its 3rd downs.
An extremely marketable player outside of football, Manning has appeared in numerous commercials, was featured on the covers of the NFL Fever games for the Xbox
Xbox
The Xbox is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Microsoft. It was released on November 15, 2001 in North America, February 22, 2002 in Japan, and March 14, 2002 in Australia and Europe and is the predecessor to the Xbox 360. It was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console...
, hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
, and guest-voiced on The Simpsons
The Simpsons
The Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie...
, along with his brothers, Eli and Cooper.
Manning's pre-snap routine has become one of the most recognizable scenes in the NFL. Prior to each play in a football game, the offensive team generally huddle
Huddle
In sport, a huddle is when a team gathers together, usually in a tight circle, to strategise, motivate or celebrate. It is a popular strategy for keeping opponents insulated from sensitive information, and acts as a form of insulation when the level of noise in the venue is such that normal...
s; however, Manning and the Colts almost always skip the huddle, instead using a hurry-up offense
Hurry-up offense
The hurry-up offense is an American football offensive style which has two different but related forms in which the offensive team avoids delays between plays. The no-huddle offense refers to avoiding or shortening the huddle to limit or disrupt defensive strategies and flexibility...
with numerous audibles at the line of scrimmage.
High school career
Manning attended Isidore Newman SchoolIsidore Newman School
Isidore Newman School is a private, nondenominational, co-educational college preparatory school located on an campus in the Uptown section of New Orleans, Louisiana.-History:...
in New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
. He led his team to a 34–5 record during three seasons as starter. He was named Gatorade
Gatorade
Gatorade is a brand of sports-themed food and beverage products, built around its signature product: a line of sports drinks. Gatorade is currently manufactured by PepsiCo, distributed in over 80 countries...
Circle of Champions National Player-of-the-Year and Columbus (Ohio) Touchdown Club National Offensive Player-of-the-Year in 1993.
College career
Manning stunned many when he chose to attend the University of TennesseeTennessee Volunteers football
The Tennessee Volunteers football team are an American college football team at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville . The NCAA Division I team is also a member of the Southeastern Conference ....
instead of Ole Miss
University of Mississippi
The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...
, his father's alma mater
Alma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
. 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
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
(SEC) record for career wins.
As a freshman
1994 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 1994 NCAA Division I-A football season saw yet another controversial finish as both Nebraska and Penn State finished undefeated, and yet Penn State finished a distant second in the final AP and UPI polls. The controversial finish, however, could have been an even worse morass if not for some...
, Manning was the third-string quarterback, but injuries to Todd Helton
Todd Helton
Todd Lynn Helton is a Major League Baseball first baseman for the Colorado Rockies. He is a five-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger, four-time National League Player of the Month, and three-time Gold Glove winner....
and Jerry Colquitt
Jerry Colquitt
Jerry Colquitt is a former American football player and coach.Colquitt was the backup quarterback to Andy Kelly and Heath Shuler at Tennessee from 1990-1993...
forced him to take over the Mississippi State
Mississippi State Bulldogs football
The Mississippi State Bulldogs football program represents Mississippi State University in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing as a member of the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference. Mississippi State has produced 38 All-Americans, 171 All-SEC selections, and 124...
game, a 24–21 loss. In his first start, the following week against Washington State
Washington State Cougars football
The Washington State Cougars football team is the intercollegiate football team of Washington State University. The team is a member of the Pacific-12 Conference...
, the Vols won, 10–9, and the Vols won all but one of their remaining games, finishing the season 8–4 with a 45–23 victory over Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech Hokies football
The Virginia Tech Hokies football team is a college football program that competes in NCAA Division I-FBS, in the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference. They have more wins in team history than any other program in the ACC. Their home games are played at Lane Stadium which seats over...
in the Gator Bowl
Gator Bowl
The Gator Bowl is an annual college football bowl game played at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida. Held continuously since 1946, it is the sixth oldest college bowl, as well as the first one ever televised nationally...
.
Manning and the Vols started off the 1995 season
1995 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 1995 NCAA Division I-A football season was the first year of the Bowl Alliance and was a relatively calm year compared to the early 1990s.Tom Osborne led Nebraska to its second straight national title with a victory over Florida in the Fiesta Bowl....
with victories over East Carolina
1995 East Carolina Pirates football team
The 1995 East Carolina Pirates football team represented East Carolina University in the 1995 college football season. The Pirates offense scored 274 points while the defense allowed 226 points. Led by head coach Steve Logan, the Pirates won the 1995 Liberty Bowl....
and Georgia, before heading off to Gainesville to play the Gators. Against Florida, he threw for 326 yards and 2 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. This would be the Vols' only loss of the season, as they won their remaining 8 regular season games, including a 41–14 win over Alabama
1995 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
The 1995 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama for the 1995–96 college football season, competing in the Western Division in the Southeastern Conference. The team played their home games at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Legion Field in...
and then defeated Ohio State
1995 Ohio State Buckeyes football team
The 1995 Ohio State Buckeyes football team represented the Ohio State University in the college football season of 1995-1996. The Buckeyes compiled a 11–2 record, including the in Orlando, Florida, where they lost 20–14 to the Tennessee Volunteers.-Schedule:-Coaching staff:* John...
in the Citrus Bowl
Capital One Bowl
The Capital One Bowl is an annual college football bowl game played in Orlando, Florida at the Citrus Bowl, and previously known as the Tangerine Bowl and the Florida Citrus Bowl...
. The Vols ended the season ranked third and Manning came in sixth in Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
voting.
The Vols opened the 1996 season
1996 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 1996 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with the Florida Gators crowned National Champions, but not as unanimously as the Bowl Alliance would have hoped....
ranked second behind Nebraska
1996 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team
The 1996 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 1996 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by Tom Osborne and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.-Schedule:...
and one of the favorites to win the national championship. However, after winning their first two games against UNLV
UNLV Rebels football
The UNLV Rebels football program is a college football team that represents the University of Nevada, Las Vegas . The team is currently a member of the Mountain West Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletics Association...
and UCLA
UCLA Bruins Football
The UCLA Bruins football program represents the University of California, Los Angeles in college football as members of the Pacific-12 Conference at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The Bruins have enjoyed several periods of success in their history, having been ranked in the top ten of the AP Poll...
, the Vols again lost to Florida, 35–29, with Manning throwing four interceptions. After winning their next four games, the Vols were upset by Memphis
Memphis Tigers
The Memphis Tigers represent the University of Memphis in Division I of the NCAA. They are members of C-USA and currently feature nine women's sports and nine men's sports...
, despite Manning passing for 296 yards. The Vols won the remainder of their games, including a 48–28 win in the Citrus Bowl over Northwestern
Northwestern Wildcats football
The Northwestern Wildcats football team, representing Northwestern University, is a NCAA Division I team and member of the Big Ten Conference, with evidence of organization in 1876...
, a game in which Manning passed for 408 yards and 4 touchdowns; he was named the game's MVP
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
.
Manning completed his degree in three years, and was projected to be the top overall pick in the NFL Draft
1997 NFL Draft
The 1997 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 19–20, 1997. No teams elected to claim any players in the supplemental draft that...
, but returned to Tennessee for his senior year. In his senior season
1997 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season, play of college football in the United States organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association at the Division I-A level, began in late summer 1997 and culminated with the major bowl games in early January 1998. The national championship was...
, 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. The Vols won the rest of their regular season games, finishing 10–1, and advanced to the SEC Championship
1997 SEC Championship Game
The 1997 SEC Championship Game was won by the Tennessee Volunteers 30-29 over the Auburn Tigers. The game was played in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia on December 6, 1997 and was televised to a national audience on ABC.-External links:*...
game against Auburn
1997 Auburn Tigers football team
The 1997 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team, coached by Terry Bowden, finished with a 10–3 record and won the school's first SEC West Division championship, but lost by a point to Tennessee in the 1997 SEC Championship...
. Down 20–7, Manning led the Vols to a 30–29 victory. Throwing for 4 touchdowns, he was named the game's MVP, but injured himself in the process. The 3rd-ranked Vols were matched-up with 2nd-ranked Nebraska in the Orange Bowl
1998 Orange Bowl
The 1998 Orange Bowl a 1997-1998 Bowl Alliance game was played on January 2, 1998. This 64th edition to the Orange Bowl featured the Nebraska Cornhuskers, and the Tennessee Volunteers. Tennessee came into the game with an 11-1 record and #3 AP ranking, whereas Nebraska came into the game with a...
; if Tennessee won and top-ranked Michigan
1997 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 1997 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season. In its third year under head coach Lloyd Carr, Michigan compiled a perfect 12–0 record, won the Big Ten Conference championship, defeated Washington State in the 1998...
lost to Washington State
1997 Washington State Cougars football team
The 1997 Washington State Cougars football team represented Washington State University during the 1997 NCAA college football season. The Cougars were led by ninth-year head coach Mike Price and played their home games at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Washington....
in the Rose Bowl
1998 Rose Bowl
The 1998 Rose Bowl was a college football bowl game played on January 1, 1998 at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. It was the 84th Rose Bowl Game. The game featured Michigan beating Washington State by a score of 21–16. The ending of the game is controversial...
, the Vols would win 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. As a senior, Manning won numerous awards; he was a consensus First-team All-American
1997 College Football All-America Team
The 1997 College Football All-America Team is composed of the following All-American Teams: Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America, American Football Coaches Association, Walter Camp Foundation, The Sporting News and Football News....
, the Maxwell Award
Maxwell Award
The Maxwell Award is presented annually to the collegiate American football player judged by a panel of sportscasters, sportswriters, and National Collegiate Athletic Association head coaches and the membership of the Maxwell Football Club to be the best football player in the United States. The...
winner, the Davey O'Brien Award
Davey O'Brien Award
The Davey O'Brien Award, officially the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award, named after Davey O'Brien, is presented annually to the collegiate American football player adjudged by the Davey O'Brien Foundation to be the best of all National Collegiate Athletic Association quarterbacks. The...
winner, the Johnny Unitas Award winner, and the Best College Player
Best College Football Player ESPY Award
The Best College Football Player ESPY Award was presented annually between 1993 and 2001 to the collegiate American football player adjudged to be the best in the United States in a given calendar year...
ESPY
Espy
-People:* Cecil Espy , American baseball player* Duane Espy, American baseball figure* James Pollard Espy , American meteorologist.* Mike Espy , American politician* William Gray Espy , American actor...
award winner, among others; however, he did not win the Heisman, finishing runner-up to Charles Woodson
Charles Woodson
Charles C. Woodson is an American football cornerback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . He played college football at the University of Michigan for the Michigan Wolverines. In 1997, Woodson led the Wolverines to a national championship...
. In 2005, Tennessee retired Manning's number (#16). One of the streets leading to Neyland Stadium
Neyland Stadium
Neyland Stadium is a sports stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA. It serves primarily as the home of the Tennessee Volunteers football team, but is also used to host large conventions and has been a site for several NFL exhibition games. The stadium's official capacity is 102,455...
has been re-named Peyton Manning Pass. Manning was elected to Phi Beta Kappa Society
Phi Beta Kappa Society
The Phi Beta Kappa Society is an academic honor society. Its mission is to "celebrate and advocate excellence in the liberal arts and sciences"; and induct "the most outstanding students of arts and sciences at America’s leading colleges and universities." Founded at The College of William and...
in 1997.
1998 season: Rookie season
Manning was selected first overall in the 1998 draft1998 NFL Draft
The 1998 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 18-19, 1998...
by the Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
. In his rookie season
1998 NFL season
The 1998 NFL season was the 79th regular season of the National Football League.The Tennessee Oilers moved their home games from Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis to Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, still awaiting construction on a new stadium in Nashville.This was the first season that CBS...
, he passed for 3,739 yards with 26 touchdowns, set five different NFL rookie records, including most touchdown pass
Touchdown pass
In gridiron football, a touchdown pass is a pass thrown from the passer to a receiver that results in a touchdown being scored. The pass can either be caught in the end zone itself, resulting in an immediate touchdown, or in the field of play, followed by the receiver carrying the ball into the...
es in a season, and was named to the NFL All-Rookie First Team. Manning's first win came against fellow rookie quarterback Ryan Leaf
Ryan Leaf
Ryan David Leaf is a former American football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League for four seasons...
, 17–12 over the Chargers
1998 San Diego Chargers season
The 1998 San Diego Chargers season began with the team trying to improve on their 4–12 record in 1997. It was Kevin Gilbride's final season as the teams head coach. The team's defense lead the league in yards allowed.-Staff:-Schedule:-Standings:...
. Weeks later, Manning faced off against Steve Young; he threw three touchdowns, tying a Colts rookie record, but the 49ers
1998 San Francisco 49ers season
The 1998 San Francisco 49ers season was the team's 49th year with the National Football League.-Schedule:-NFC Wild Card - January 3, 1999:*San Francisco 49ers 30, Green Bay Packers 27at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, CA...
kicked a late field goal
Field goal (football)
A field goal in American football and Canadian football is a goal that may be scored during general play . Field goals may be scored by a placekick or the now practically extinct drop kick.The drop kick fell out of favor in 1934 when the shape of the ball was changed...
to win, 34–31. In November against the Jets
1998 New York Jets season
The 1998 New York Jets season was the 39th season for the team and the 29th in the National Football League. The team tried to improve upon its 9–7 record from 1997 and finished 12–4 in their second season under head coach Bill Parcells, winning their first division title since the AFL-NFL merger...
, Manning threw for three touchdowns in a 24–23 win; he was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for this performance. It was the first game-winning drive of Manning's career, as he hit Marcus Pollard
Marcus Pollard
Marcus LaJuan Pollard is a former American football tight end.-College career:Pollard attended Bradley University, where he played basketball. Bradley did not have a football program at the time he matriculated there...
with the game-winning TD pass. Manning was certainly a bright spot in 1998 for the Colts
1998 Indianapolis Colts season
The 1998 Indianapolis Colts season was the 46th season for the team in the National Football League and 15th in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis Colts finished the National Football League's 1998 season with a record of 3 wins and 13 losses, and finished fifth in the AFC East division.-NFL...
, but he also threw a league high 28 interceptions as the team struggled to a 3–13 record, with a defense that surrendered more than 27 points per game. The Colts lost many close games, including five games in which they had led by double-digits at some point.
1999 season: First 4,000 Yard season
The Colts1999 Indianapolis Colts season
The 1999 Indianapolis Colts season was the 47th season for the team in the National Football League and 16th in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis Colts finished the National Football League's 1999 season with a record of 13 wins and 3 losses, and won the AFC East...
opened the 1999 season
1999 NFL season
The 1999 NFL season was the 80th regular season of the National Football League. The Cleveland Browns returned to the field for the first time since the 1995 season...
with a 31–14 victory over Buffalo
1999 Buffalo Bills season
The 1999 Buffalo Bills season was the 40th season for the team in the National Football League. It would be the final season that long time Bills members Bruce Smith, Andre Reed and Thurman Thomas were on the same team together. All three were released at the end of the season due to salary cap...
, but gave up a 28–7 lead the following week against the Patriots and lost. After defeating San Diego
1999 San Diego Chargers season
The 1999 San Diego Chargers season began with the team trying to improve on their 5–11 record in 1998. In was Mike Riley's first season as the teams head coach.-Staff:-Schedule:-Standings:-References:...
27–19 in a game in which Manning threw for over 400 yards, and was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for they lost again, to Miami
1999 Miami Dolphins season
The 1999 Miami Dolphins season was the 34th year of existence for the Miami Dolphins franchise. The year saw the team struggling with the end of Dan Marino's career...
. The Colts responded by winning 11 of their remaining 12 games, finishing 13–3 and the AFC East champions. The 10 game turnaround from the previous year set an NFL record. As the second seed in the AFC, the Colts earned a first round bye, and faced Tennessee
1999 Tennessee Titans season
The 1999 Tennessee Titans season was the Titans' 40th season and their 30th in the National Football League. It was the first season for the club under the moniker "Titans," while the nickname "Oilers" was retired by the NFL...
in the playoffs
NFL playoffs, 1999-2000
The NFL playoffs following the 1999 NFL season led up to Super Bowl XXXIV.These playoffs were notable in that all outdoor games were played with gametime temperatures of 50°F or higher, making for one of the warmest playoff seasons of all time...
. The Colts lost 19–16 to the Super Bowl bound Titans and Manning was limited to one touchdown run. 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
2000 Pro Bowl
The 2000 AFC-NFC Pro Bowl was played on February 6, 2000 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii Attendance— 50,112. The game was broadcast by ABC with a running time of three hours and sixteen minutes. The final score was NFC 51, AFC 31. The AFC coach was Tom Coughlin of Jacksonville.The NFC coach...
, both firsts for him. In the Pro Bowl
2000 Pro Bowl
The 2000 AFC-NFC Pro Bowl was played on February 6, 2000 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii Attendance— 50,112. The game was broadcast by ABC with a running time of three hours and sixteen minutes. The final score was NFC 51, AFC 31. The AFC coach was Tom Coughlin of Jacksonville.The NFC coach...
, he passed for 270 yards with 2 touchdowns.
2000 season
The Colts2000 Indianapolis Colts season
The 2000 Indianapolis Colts season was the 48th season for the team in the National Football League and 17th in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis Colts finished the National Football League's 2000 season with a record of 10 wins and 6 losses, and finished second in the AFC East...
started the 2000 season
2000 NFL season
The 2000 NFL season was the 81st regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl XXXV when the Baltimore Ravens defeated the New York Giants.Week 1 of the season reverted to Labor Day weekend in 2000...
inconsistently. Following an opening week victory against Kansas City
2000 Kansas City Chiefs season
The 2000 Kansas City Chiefs season was the second and final season led by head coach Gunther Cunningham. Cunningham was fired following a 7–9 record and third place finish in the AFC West. Cunningham was replaced by Dick Vermeil, and Quarterback Elvis Grbac was released at the end of the season...
, they blew a 21–0 lead against the Raiders
2000 Oakland Raiders season
-Awards and records:* Led NFL, Net Yards Gained, Rushing * Led NFL, First Downs, Rushing * Led NFL, Rushing Offense * Eric Allen, AFC Defensive Player of the Month, December * Rich Gannon, Bert Bell Award...
. The Colts responded with a Monday Night
Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football is a live broadcast of the National Football League on ESPN. From to it aired on ABC. Monday Night Football was, along with Hallmark Hall of Fame, and the Walt Disney anthology television series, one of the longest running prime time commercial network television series...
victory against Jacksonville
2000 Jacksonville Jaguars season
The 2000 Jacksonville Jaguars season was the team's sixth year in the National Football League. They finished with a record of 7–9.-Staff:-Schedule: -Schedule:-Standings:-Awards and records:...
, a 43–14 win in which Manning threw for 430 yards and 4 touchdowns; Manning was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week for this performance. The Colts won 4 of their next 5 games, including one against New England
2000 New England Patriots season
The 2000 New England Patriots season was the 31st season for the team in the National Football League and 41st season overall. They finished with a 5–11 record and in last place in the division....
in which Manning posted the first perfect passer rating
Passer rating
Passer rating is a measure of the performance of quarterbacks or any other passers in American football and Canadian football. There are at least two formulae currently in use: one officially used by the National Football League and the Canadian Football League, and one used in college football...
of his career, but then lost 4 of the 5 games following that. The Colts regained their momentum, winning their final 3 games, including a 31–10 win over Minnesota
2000 Minnesota Vikings season
-NFC Championship Game:-Awards and records:*Gary Anderson, NFC Special Teams Player of the Week, Week 8 *Mitch Berger, NFC Special Teams Player of the Week, Week 14 *Mitch Berger, NFC Special Teams Player of the Month, December...
on Week 17. Manning threw for 4 touchdowns in the win and was again named AFC Offensive Player of the Week and the win gave the Colts a 10–6 record as well as a wild card
Wild card (sports)
The term wild card refers broadly to a tournament or playoff berth awarded to an individual or team that has not qualified through normal play.-International sports:...
spot in the playoffs. In the wild card game, the Colts fell to the Dolphins
2000 Miami Dolphins season
The 2000 season was the 33rd in franchise history. Dave Wannstedt was named the fourth head coach in franchise history on January 16, 2000.-NFL Draft:-Preseason:-Schedule:-Standings:-Playoffs:-Awards and honors:...
, 23–17 in overtime. Manning passed for 194 yards and a touchdown in the loss. He finished the season with and and was named Second-team All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl. At the Pro Bowl
2001 Pro Bowl
The 2001 AFC-NFC Pro Bowl was played on February 4, 2001 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. The final score was AFC 38, NFC 17. Rich Gannon of the Oakland Raiders was the game's MVP.-Offense:-Defense:-Special teams:-Offense:-Defense:...
, Manning threw two touchdown passes.
2001 season
Manning and the Colts2001 Indianapolis Colts season
The 2001 Indianapolis Colts season was the 49th season for the team in the National Football League and 18th in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis Colts finished the National Football League's 2001 season with a record of 6 wins and 10 losses, and finished fourth in the AFC East division...
introduced the league to their now-signature no-huddle offense, and used it to great effect in a Week 1 rout of the Jets
2001 New York Jets season
The 2001 New York Jets season was the 42nd season for the team, and the 32nd in the National Football League. The team tried to improve upon its 9–7 record from 2000. Under new head coach Herman Edwards, the team finished 10–6 and qualified for the final Wild Card position in the American Football...
, 45–24. Two weeks later (Week two games were not played as scheduled due to the 9/11 attacks, the Colts advanced to 2–0 with a win over Buffalo
2001 Buffalo Bills season
The 2001 Buffalo Bills season was the team’s forty-second season. Previous head coach Wade Phillips was relieved of his duties as coach and replaced by Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Gregg Williams....
, behind Manning's 421 yards passing. He was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week for this game. However, the Colts lost the following week to New England
2001 New England Patriots season
The 2001 New England Patriots season was the 32nd season for the team in the National Football League and 42nd season overall. They finished with an 11–5 record and a division title before advancing to and winning Super Bowl XXXVI....
, and continued their slide losing their following two games. The Colts briefly rebounded, winning two games, but then lost seven of their last nine, including a 40-21 home loss to the 49ers
2001 San Francisco 49ers season
-NFL Draft:-Schedule:-NFC Wild Card - January 13, 2002:*Green Bay Packers 25, San Francisco 49ers 15at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI-Milestones:*Jeff Garcia named to second consecutive Pro Bowl...
. After Manning threw a career-high four interceptions in that game, coach Jim Mora uttered his infamous "Playoffs? Don't talk about playoffs. Are you kidding me. Playoffs? I'm just hoping we can win a game, another game" press conference. Despite the 6-10 record, Manning finished the season with , , and 4 rushing touchdowns as the offense produced the second most points in the league. However, the defense allowed the most points and Jim Mora was fired after the season.
2002 season
Tony DungyTony Dungy
Anthony Kevin "Tony" Dungy [DUN-jee] is a former professional American football player and coach in the National Football League. Dungy was head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1996 to 2001, and head coach of the Indianapolis Colts from 2002 to 2008...
would become Manning's second head coach in the NFL. The Colts started off the 2002 season
2002 Indianapolis Colts season
The 2002 Indianapolis Colts season was the 50th season for the team in the National Football League and 19th in Indianapolis.The 2002 season marked the first for the Colts in the new AFC South after competing for 32 seasons in the AFC East....
4–1, before a 3 game losing streak sent them to 4–4. The Colts responded by winning all but two of their remaining games, including a 35–13 upset of the Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
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. However, the Colts were pummeled by the Jets in the Wild Card game, 41–0, with Manning passing for only 137 yards. He finished the year with and and was named to the Pro Bowl team. In the Pro Bowl
2003 Pro Bowl
The 2003 AFC-NFC Pro Bowl was played on February 2, 2003 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. The final Score was AFC 45, NFC 20. Ricky Williams of the Miami Dolphins was the game's MVP.-Offense:-Defense:-Special teams:-Offense:-Defense:...
, Manning completed five of eleven passes for 100 yards and a touchdown.
2003 season: First MVP
The 2003 Colts2003 Indianapolis Colts season
The 2003 Indianapolis Colts season was the 51st season for the team in the National Football League and 20th in Indianapolis.-Roster:-Schedule:- Division standings :...
began the season 5–0, including a 55–21 blowout of the Saints in which Manning played his third perfect passer rating game and threw a career-high six TD passes, earning him AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
On Monday Night Football against the defending champion Buccaneers, Manning and the Colts trailed 35-14 in the final five minutes. After one short TD drive, the Colts recovered the onside kick. Manning threw a 28 yard TD pass to Marvin Harrison on 4th & 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 TD. He set up the 29 yard winning field goal in overtime for a stunning 38-35 win. It was the first and only time in NFL history a team won a game after trailing by 21 points in the final 4 minutes of regulation. Manning passed for 386 yards in the game.
After an overtime loss to Carolina
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
, the Colts won all but three of their remaining games, finishing 12–4. On November 30 the Colts hosted the 9-2 Patriots in what would be the beginning of the NFL's top rivalry of the 2000s. The Colts trailed 31-10 late in the third quarter before Manning threw three TD 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 and score the winning TD. Edgerrin James was stuffed on 4th down by Willie McGinest
Willie McGinest
William Lee "Willie" McGinest, Jr. is a retired American football linebacker in the National Football League.-Early life and career:...
and the Patriots won. In a Week 14 win against Atlanta
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Manning threw for five touchdowns and was named player of the week a second time. He also earned AFC Offensive Player of the Month honors for the month of October.
In the Wild Card playoff round Manning and the Colts defeated the Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
41–10, his first playoff win. He passed for 377 yards and 5 touchdowns in the game, earning him a perfect passer rating, his second of the season and the fourth of his career. After the game, Manning was awarded Player of the Week honors for the third time that season. In the divisional playoffs, Manning led the Colts to a 38–31 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Neither team punted in the game. In the AFC title game 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 24–14.
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
Steve McNair
Stephen LaTreal McNair was an American football quarterback who spent the majority of his NFL career with the Tennessee Titans....
. Manning also received the ESPY Award for Best NFL Player
Best NFL Player ESPY Award
The Best NFL Player ESPY Award has been presented annually since 1993 to the National Football League player adjudged to be the best in a given calendar year, namely in the NFL season immediately precedent to the holding of the ESPY Awards ceremony....
. Manning led the league with and threw 29 touchdowns; he was named First-team All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl. He passed for 342 yards and 3 touchdowns in the Pro Bowl
2004 Pro Bowl
The 2004 AFC-NFC Pro Bowl was played on February 8, 2004 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. The final score was NFC 55, AFC 52, the most points scored in a Pro Bowl game. Marc Bulger of the St. Louis Rams was the game's MVP.-Game summary:...
, a 55–52 loss.
2004 season: Second MVP
The 2004 Colts2004 Indianapolis Colts season
The 2004 Indianapolis Colts season was the 52nd season for the team in the National Football League and 21st in Indianapolis. The 2004 Colts season began with the team trying to maintain or improve on their 12–4 record from 2003, and advance farther into the playoffs...
opened the season with a 27–24 loss to the Patriots, after Mike Vanderjagt
Mike Vanderjagt
Michael John "Mike" Vanderjagt , is a professional American and Canadian football placekicker and punter who has played in the Arena Football League, the Canadian Football League and National Football League...
missed a game tying field goal in the closing seconds of the game. The Colts won their next four games including a 45–31 win over Green Bay
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
in which Manning threw 5 touchdowns, earning him AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors, but then lost their next two games, to Jacksonville and Kansas City, despite Manning throwing for 840 yards combined in the two games. The Colts responded well, winning their next 8 games before losing their final regular season game to Denver, a game in which Manning played only the first series. During the month of November, Manning was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week twice; once for his 5 touchdown performance in a 49–14 blowout of Houston
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and once for his performance in a 41–9 win at Detroit
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
on Thanksgiving in which he threw 6 touchdowns in less than three quarters. Due to his performances in November, Manning earned AFC Offensive Player of the Month honors. He was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for a fourth time in the week 16 game against San Diego where he led the Colts to a 34–31 victory after trailing by fifteen in the fourth quarter. With the Colts facing a 4th & 4 at their own 26, Manning waved the punt team off the field and completed a 19 yard pass to Reggie Wayne for the first down. He finished the drive with a 21 yard TD pass to Brandon Stokley, his 49th TD 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.
During the season, Manning threw for 4,557 yards, had a record 121.1 passer rating and record 49 touchdown passes (since broken)., He was selected as the 2004 NFL MVP
NFL Most Valuable Player Award
The National Football League Most Valuable Player Award is given by various entities, most notably the Associated Press , to the player who is considered most valuable in the league. When the award is referred to without mentioning the organization, it generally means the AP award. The AP 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
Best Record-Breaking Performance ESPY Award
The Best Record-Breaking Performance ESPY Award since 2001 to the amateur or professional sportsperson, irrespective of nationality or sport contested, adjudged to have, in a single play, game, or season, completed the best record-breaking performance, irrespective of the nature of the record broken...
for his 49 touchdown passes. The Colts finished the season with a 12–4 record and their second straight AFC South title. Three Colts receivers had 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns that season, also a record.
In the Wild Card game against Denver, Manning passed for 458 yards and 4 touchdowns. However, the Colts' 2004 season ended in Foxborough
Gillette Stadium
Gillette Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Foxborough, Massachusetts, 21 miles southwest of downtown Boston and from downtown Providence, Rhode Island. It serves as the home stadium and administrative offices for the New England Patriots football team and the New England Revolution...
for a second straight year with a 20–3 loss against New England, when 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. Manning was named a Pro Bowl starter; in the Pro Bowl
2005 Pro Bowl
The 2005 AFC-NFC Pro Bowl was played February 13, 2005 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. The final score was AFC 38 - NFC 27. The most valuable player was Peyton Manning of the Colts. The game holds the record as the latest Pro Bowl played during the calendar year.-Game summary:The game...
, he threw 3 touchdowns in a 38–27 victory and was named the game's MVP. Manning was also a unanimous First-team All-Pro selection.
2005 season
2005 Indianapolis Colts season
The 2005 Indianapolis Colts season was the 53rd season for the team in the National Football League and 22nd in Indianapolis. The 2005 Colts season began with the team trying to improve on their 12–4 record from 2004 and to advance further into the playoffs...
, the Colts had a greatly improved defense over that of recent years. Combining this with their offense, they won their first 13 games, including a 40–21 rout of the two-time defending Super Bowl Champions, New England. This was Manning's first road win against the Patriots in 8 attempts, and his 3 touchdowns passes earned him AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors. By week 15, the Colts had a perfect 13–0 record, and had secured the AFC South and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Nevertheless, Tony Dungy
Tony Dungy
Anthony Kevin "Tony" Dungy [DUN-jee] is a former professional American football player and coach in the National Football League. Dungy was head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1996 to 2001, and head coach of the Indianapolis Colts from 2002 to 2008...
made the decision to play all of his regular starters against the Chargers. However, the Colts played a sub-par game against the Chargers and fell short of the win; the score was 26–17. Manning finished the season with , the first time he had thrown for under 4,000 yards since his rookie season of 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.
In the playoffs, the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
visited the RCA Dome
RCA Dome
RCA Dome was a domed stadium, located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and the home of the Indianapolis Colts NFL franchise for 24 seasons ....
for the second AFC divisional playoff game of the 2005 season. In the 4th quarter with only a few minutes left in the game, Manning threw what looked to be the game-ending interception to Troy Polamalu
Troy Polamalu
Troy Aumua Polamalu is an American football strong safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was drafted in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the Steelers. He played college football at the University of Southern California.-High school:Troy Polamalu graduated...
, but the interception was overturned (a call the NFL later admitted was incorrect). The Colts went on to score, and were able to get the ball back down three points near the end of the game. On 4th down, Manning was sacked
Quarterback sack
In American football and Canadian football, a sack occurs when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage before he can throw a forward pass, or when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage in the "pocket" and the intent of what he was going to do is unclear...
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 Jerome Bettis
Jerome Bettis
Jerome Abram "The Bus" Bettis is a retired American football halfback who played for the NFL's Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers. Bettis is considered one of the best big backs ever because his footwork and power, and is currently fifth on the National Football League's all-time...
and picked up by Colts defender Nick Harper
Nick Harper (American football)
Nicholas Necosi Harper is a currently a free agent American football cornerback in the National Football League. He was signed by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats as an street free agent in 2000. He played college football at Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley, Georgia.Harper has played for the...
who appeared to have a clear path down the sideline for what might have been the game-winning score. However, Steelers' quarterback Ben Roethlisberger
Ben Roethlisberger
Benjamin Todd "Ben" Roethlisberger , nicknamed Big Ben, is an American football quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Steelers in the first round in the 2004 NFL Draft...
managed to dive in front of Harper and tackle him by the leg, saving a touchdown. Then the Colts drove down the field to the Steelers 27 yard line, before Mike Vanderjagt missed a field goal as time ran out.
Manning came in second in voting for the MVP award to Shaun Alexander
Shaun Alexander
Shaun Edward Alexander is a former American football running back who played for the Seattle Seahawks and the Washington Redskins. He was drafted by the Seahawks 19th overall in the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Alabama.- Early career :Alexander was born and...
ending his streak at two years. He was named the 2005 winner of the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award
Walter Payton Man of the Year Award
The Walter Payton Man of the Year award is given annually by the National Football League honoring a player's volunteer and charity work, as well as his excellence on the field. Prior to 1999, it was called simply the NFL Man of the Year Award...
and nominated for the FedEx Air Player of the Year Award, along with Tom Brady
Tom Brady
Thomas Edward Patrick "Tom" Brady, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . After playing college football at Michigan, Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.He has played in four Super Bowls,...
and Carson Palmer
Carson Palmer
Carson Palmer is an American professional football quarterback for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals first overall in the 2003 NFL Draft. He played collegiately at the University of Southern California and won the Heisman Trophy in 2002...
. Manning was also named First-team All-Pro for the third consecutive year and named to the Pro Bowl squad; in the Pro Bowl
2006 Pro Bowl
The 2006 AFC-NFC Pro Bowl was played on February 12, 2006 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. It marked the 27th consecutive time that the National Football League's all-star game was held in Honolulu...
, he threw one touchdown pass and three interceptions.
2006 season: Super Bowl championship
2006 Indianapolis Colts season
The 2006 Indianapolis Colts season was the 54th season for the team in the National Football League and 23rd in Indianapolis. The 2006 Colts season began with the team trying to maintain or improve on their regular season record of 14–2 from the 2005 season, and advance farther into the playoffs....
against his brother Eli's New York Giants on Sunday Night Football (the first "Manning Bowl"). It was the first NFL game with starting quarterbacks that were brothers, and Peyton's team won 26-21. Manning passed for 400 yards against the Texans in a 43-24 victory, which earned him AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors (he also won the award for his 345 yards and 4 TD passes against the Redskins in week 7). A second trip to New York, this time to play the Jets, produced another Colts win. After taking the lead twice in the fourth quarter, Manning had to lead a third scoring drive, this time finishing with a 1-yard QB sneak rushing TD in the last minute for a 31-28 win.
At Denver, 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 3 TDs. Following a second straight season with a win at New England, then a home win against Buffalo, the Colts were the NFL's last unbeaten team at 9-0. Their first loss would come in Dallas. Plagued by a run defense that would allow over 100 yards in every game, the Colts were 11-4 heading into their final game. Against Miami, Manning threw for 282 yards, 2 TDs and rushed for another TD. The Colts won 27-22, were AFC South division champions, and clinched the third seed in the AFC playoffs. Manning was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week. 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. Manning helped the offense set a NFL record for third down conversion rate in a season (56.1%).
Despite three interceptions, Manning completed 30 out of 38 passes as the Colts beat the Kansas City Chiefs in the Wild Card playoff game by a score of 23–8. The following week they were limited to five field goals and no touchdowns, but defeated the Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
, 15–6. In the AFC Championship game against the rival Patriots, the Colts trailed 14–3 when Manning threw an interception that was returned for a TD by Asante Samuel
Asante Samuel
Asante T. Samuel is an American football cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
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 TD drive to take the lead for the first time in the game. He finished the game with 349 yards passing and two touchdowns (1 rushing). The comeback was the largest deficit ever overcome in a conference championship.
Manning led the Colts to a 29–17 victory over the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in Super Bowl XLI
Super Bowl XLI
Super Bowl XLI was an American football game that featured the American Football Conference champion Indianapolis Colts and the National Football Conference champion Chicago Bears to decide the National Football League champion for the 2006 season...
and was voted Super Bowl MVP
Super Bowl MVP
The Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Award, or Super Bowl MVP, is an award presented annually to the most valuable player of the Super Bowl, the National Football League's championship game. The winner is chosen by a fan vote during the game and by a panel of 16 American football writers and...
. Manning, who had been criticized for failing to win big games, exorcised his big-game demons with the win. "In years' past when our team's come up short, it's been disappointing," he told reporters. "Somehow we found a way to have learned from some of those losses and we've been a better team because of it." For his role in the Colts' championship run, Manning was awarded the ESPY for Best Championship Performance
Best Championship Performance ESPY Award
The Best Championship Performance ESPY Award was presented in 2001 and has been presented annually since 2004 to the sportsperson, irrespective of nationality, gender, or sport contested, adjudged to have given the best performance in a single championship game, series, or tournament played in a...
. Manning was again named to the Pro Bowl and was also named Second-team All-Pro; in the Pro Bowl
2007 Pro Bowl
The 2007 AFC-NFC Pro Bowl took place on February 10, 2007, at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. The game was held on a Saturday instead of the usual Sunday after the Super Bowl because of a request by broadcaster CBS....
he played only two series, passing for 67 yards. Following the Super Bowl win, Manning agreed to restructure his contract to save the Colts $8.2 million in salary cap space.
2007 season
Manning's Colts2007 Indianapolis Colts season
The 2007 Indianapolis Colts season was the 55th season for the team in the National Football League and 24th in Indianapolis. The 2007 Indianapolis Colts improved upon their 12–4 record from 2006 as well as winning their 5th straight AFC South Championship. They finished the season 13–3 and lost to...
opened the NFL season with 7 wins, pitting them against an undefeated Patriots squad in a match-up that was being called "Super Bowl 41.5". Manning and Addai helped the Colts to a 13–7 half-time lead, and an early fourth quarter touchdown upped the lead to 20–10. However, Brady led the Patriots to two late touchdowns, to hand Manning his first loss of the season, 24–20. Manning finished the game with 225 yards passing, including a passing touchdown. He also had a rushing touchdown.
Manning did not bounce back from the loss well. Against the San Diego Chargers he threw for a career-worst and franchise-record 6 interceptions. Despite this, he was able to rally the Colts from a 23–0 deficit to 23–21, and gave Adam Vinatieri an opportunity to take the lead with a 29-yard field goal. Vinatieri's miss sunk the Colts to 7–2. 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 , allowing him to overtake 40,000 in his career. The victory was Manning's 100th.
The Colts won their next 5 games, securing yet another AFC South title, as well as the AFC's number two seed in the play-offs. In the final game of the regular season, Manning played only two series before being replaced with back-up Jim Sorgi
Jim Sorgi
James Joseph "Jim" Sorgi, Jr. is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the sixth round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
; the Colts lost the game to the Titans, 16–10. Manning finished the season with , , and a quarterback rating of 98.0. In the divisional round of the playoffs, Manning and the Colts lost to the Chargers, 28–24. Manning helped the Colts to 4 different leads but could not lead a final touchdown drive for the win. Manning finished the game with and . Peyton was widely viewed during Super Bowl XLII
Super Bowl XLII
Super Bowl XLII was an American football game on February 3, 2008 that featured the National Football Conference champion New York Giants and the American Football Conference champion New England Patriots to decide the National Football League champion for the 2007 season...
as he cheered on brother Eli and the New York Giants in their upset of the New England Patriots. Manning was named a Pro Bowl starter and passed for 147 yards and a touchdown in three series.
2008 season: Third MVP
On July 14, 2008, Manning had surgery to remove an infected bursa sac in his left knee. Manning, who had worn a knee brace due to problems since he was in college, sat out all four preseason games and missed most of training camp.In the first regular season game at new Lucas Oil Stadium
Lucas Oil Stadium
Lucas Oil Stadium is a multi-purpose sports stadium in Downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. The stadium celebrated its grand opening on August 24, 2008, and its ribbon-cutting ceremony August 16, 2008. It replaced the RCA Dome as the home field of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts. The stadium was built to...
, the Colts lost 29–13 to the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. The following week they fell behind 15–0 to the Minnesota Vikings in the 2nd half before rallying to win the game on Adam Vinatieri's 47 yard field goal. Manning passed for 311 yards as the Colts avoided their first 0–2 start since Manning's rookie season. Week 3 matched the Colts with division rival Jacksonville. Manning threw 2 interceptions in the game, including one that was returned for a TD by Rashean Mathis
Rashean Mathis
Rashean Jamil Mathis is an American football cornerback currently playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the NFL.-High school:Mathis attended Englewood High School in Jacksonville at the same time as Brett Myers of the Houston Astros, and was a student and a letterman in football. In football, he...
. Jacksonville rushed for 236 yards and held the ball for over 41 minutes. Still, trailing by 6 late in the game Manning led the Colts on a 77-yard TD drive to take a 21–20 lead. Jacksonville kicker Josh Scobee
Josh Scobee
Joshua Taylor Scobee is an American football placekicker, who currently plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League . He began his college football career as kicker for the Louisiana Tech University Bulldogs, setting several school records...
made a 51 yard field goal to win the game and drop the Colts to 1–2.
For the third week in a row, Manning used the 4th quarter to bring the Colts back from a 27–10 deficit in the last 5 minutes against the Houston Texans
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
to a 31–27 victory. It was the first time an NFL team had won a game in regulation after trailing by 17 points in the last 5 minutes. Manning threw a 7 yard TD pass on 4th & 6 to rookie tight end Tom Santi
Tom Santi
Tom Santi is an American football tight end who currently plays for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Colts in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft and was placed on waived/injury list on August 2, 2010. He excelled as a tight end at Montgomery Bell...
to make the deficit 27–17. Houston QB Sage Rosenfels
Sage Rosenfels
Sage Rosenfels is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at Iowa State before he was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played with the Miami Dolphins from 2002–2005, the Houston Texans from...
, starting for the injured Matt Schaub
Matt Schaub
Matthew Rutledge Schaub is the starting quarterback for the Houston Texans. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Virginia.-College career:...
, then fumbled the ball on a scramble, and it was returned 68 yards for a TD by Gary Brackett
Gary Brackett
Gary Lawrence Brackett is an American football linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was signed by the Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He played college football at Rutgers.-Early years:Brackett attended Glassboro High School in Glassboro, New Jersey....
. After another Rosenfels fumble, Manning threw the 5-yard game-winning TD pass to Reggie Wayne
Reggie Wayne
Reginald "Reggie" Wayne is a professional American football wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. Wayne was selected in the 1st round of the 2001 NFL Draft by the Colts...
. The Colts scored 3 TDs in 2:10.
On October 12 Manning led the Colts to a 31–3 blow out win at Lucas Oil Stadium
Lucas Oil Stadium
Lucas Oil Stadium is a multi-purpose sports stadium in Downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. The stadium celebrated its grand opening on August 24, 2008, and its ribbon-cutting ceremony August 16, 2008. It replaced the RCA Dome as the home field of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts. The stadium was built to...
against the Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
to avoid their first 0–3 start at home since 1997. Manning was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for the 17th time in his career for his effort of 3 TD passes and 271 yards passing. It was revealed during the game by CBS commentators Jim Nantz
Jim Nantz
James William Nantz, III is an American sportscaster, known primarily for his work with CBS Sports television.-Early life:...
and Phil Simms
Phil Simms
Phillip Martin "Phil" Simms is a former American football quarterback, and currently a television sportscaster for the CBS network. After a standout career at Morehead State University, Simms was drafted in the first round by the New York Giants of the National Football League with the number...
that Manning had a second surgery on his knee before the season started. Colts coach Tony Dungy confirmed this report the day after the Baltimore game.
The Colts suffered their largest margin of defeat, 34–14, in Green Bay the following week. Manning threw 2 interceptions that were returned for touchdowns (2nd time in career; 1st was 9/30/01 vs. New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
). The next week the Colts went into Tennessee on Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football is a live broadcast of the National Football League on ESPN. From to it aired on ABC. Monday Night Football was, along with Hallmark Hall of Fame, and the Walt Disney anthology television series, one of the longest running prime time commercial network television series...
to face the 6–0 Titans. They led 14–6 in the 3rd quarter, but Tennessee scored 25 unanswered for a 31–21 victory and almost assured the Colts they would not win the AFC South division title for the first time in 6 seasons. At 3–4 the Colts opened up November with their annual showdown against the New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
on Sunday Night Football. The game lacked the luster the rivalry has carried, as there was no Tom Brady
Tom Brady
Thomas Edward Patrick "Tom" Brady, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . After playing college football at Michigan, Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.He has played in four Super Bowls,...
, no undefeated season on the line, and neither team was in 1st place of their division. Still, the game was close all the way. Tied at 15 in the 4th quarter, Manning set up Adam Vinatieri
Adam Vinatieri
Adam Matthew Vinatieri is an American football placekicker currently playing for the Indianapolis Colts. He has played in six Super Bowls, four with the New England Patriots and two with the Colts, winning four. Vinatieri won a Super Bowl in 2006 with Indianapolis and won Super Bowls in 2001,...
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, 2 touchdowns and no interceptions. The Colts were 4–4 halfway through the season and still alive in the AFC playoff race.
In week 10 the Colts traveled to Pittsburgh, who had the league's #1 defense. They trailed 17–7 in the 2nd quarter before Manning found Dallas Clark
Dallas Clark
Dallas Dean Clark is an American football tight end for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Colts 24th overall in the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Iowa...
for a 2-yard TD to end the half 17–14. Down 20–17 in the 4th quarter, Manning found Dominic Rhodes
Dominic Rhodes
Dominic Dondrell Rhodes is an American football running back for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He attended Cooper High School in Abilene, Texas. He was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2001...
uncovered for a 17 yard TD pass that would put the Colts up 24–20 for the rest of the game. It was Manning's 4th game-winning drive (35th of his career) this season. He completed 21 of 40 for 240 yards and 3 touchdowns (the 50th game of his career with 3+ TD passes). It was the first time the Colts have won in Pittsburgh since 1968 (12 straight losses before this win). Against Houston, Manning passed for 320 yards and 2 TDs while leading 5 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 2nd time this season (18th time, career)
At San Diego, Manning threw for 255 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT in a 23–20 victory. The interception snapped a career-best streak of 140 pass attempts without an interception. After the Chargers rallied from a 10 point deficit in the 4th to tie the game, Manning led the game-winning drive by completing a 14 yard pass to Marvin Harrison on 4th and inches at midfield. Adam Vinateri kicked the winning 51 yard field goal three plays later. It was Manning's 5th game-winning drive this season. Manning passed for a season-low 125 yards at Cleveland, but the Colts won their 5th straight game, by a final of 10–6.
In a 35–3 victory against the Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
, Manning threw 3 TD passes while completing 26 of 32 passes for 277 yards. It marked the 11th straight season Manning had thrown at least 20 TD passes, the 2nd longest streak ever. Against the 0–13 Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
, the Colts found themselves in a 21–21 game in the 4th quarter. Manning led his 6th game-winning drive of the season and the Colts pulled away 31–21. It marked their 7th straight win, 7th straight season with 10+ wins, and they became the only team in NFL history to have a winning streak of at least 7 games in 5 straight seasons. Manning completed 28 of 37 passes for 318 yards and 1 TD.
Needing a win to clinch the 5th seed in the playoffs, Manning had one of his best career performances in Jacksonville on Thursday Night Football. He completed his first 17 passes of the game. In addition to completing his last 6 against Detroit, Manning's 23 straight completions fell one shy of the NFL record (Donovan McNabb – 24). The Colts trailed 14–0 in the first half and 24–14 to start the 4th quarter. Manning led his 7th 4th quarter win of the season and the Colts put the game away with a defensive TD for a 31–24 victory to clinch a 7th consecutive playoff berth. Manning completed 29 of 34 passes (85.7%) for 364 yards and 3 TDs. It increased his NFL record streak of seasons with 25 TD passes to 11. Manning and the Colts tied a NFL record by winning 3 games in a season in which they trailed by at least 14 points. For his efforts Manning won AFC Offensive Player of the Week for the third time in 2008. It was the 19th time he has won the award, passing Dan Marino for the most all-time since the award was originated in 1984. He also was selected as the FedEx Air Player of the Week
FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week
Every week during the NFL season, six finalists are chosen for the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week award, 3 nominated as the FedEx Air player and 3 nominated as the FedEx Ground player , online at...
. With the playoff seed secured, Manning only played the opening drive in a shutout against the division-leading Titans in Week 17. He completed all 7 of his passes for 95 yards and a TD, extending his NFL record to nine seasons with 4000 yards passing, and also extended the record to a sixth straight season he led the Colts to at least 12 wins. At the end of the 2008 season, Manning was named NFL MVP for the 3rd time, tying Brett Favre
Brett Favre
Brett Lorenzo Favre is a former American football quarterback who spent the majority of his career with the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . He was a 20-year veteran of the NFL, having played quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons , Green Bay Packers , New York Jets and Minnesota...
for the most MVP awards in NFL history.
The day following the MVP award, the Colts played their 2007 nemesis, the Chargers, in their wild-card playoff game. 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. But the Chargers tied the game in the fourth quarter as kicker Nate Kaeding nailed a 22-yard field goal. When San Diego won the coin toss, they scored on the first possession, ending the Colts season.
2009 season: Fourth MVP and Second Super Bowl appearance
Week 1 vs. Jacksonville JaguarsJacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
(W 14–12): Under new head coach Jim Caldwell, Manning started the 2009 season with a victory by throwing for 301 yards.
Week 2 at Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
(W 27–23): On Monday Night Football, Manning led his 29th fourth quarter comeback (38th game-winning drive) by throwing for 303 yards and 2 TD passes, despite only having the ball for 14:53, the lowest time of possession for a winning team in the NFL since they began tracking the statistic in 1977. The win was Manning's 119th in the regular season, moving him past Johnny Unitas for 5th all time.
Week 3 at Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
(W 31–10): Manning passed for 379 yards and had 4 TD passes for the 18th time in his career (moving him ahead of Johnny Unitas into third on the NFL career list) in his first ever NFL game played in Arizona. It was his 50th regular season game with 300 yards passing (third consecutive). For his efforts in September, Manning was named AFC Offensive Player of the Month for the fourth time in his career.
Week 4 vs Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
(W 34–17): Manning passed for 353 yards and 2 TDs. His fourth consecutive 300-yard passing game set a new franchise record.
Week 5 at Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
(W 31–9): Manning passed for 309 yards and 3 TDs. In the process he moved into sole possession of 3rd place in passing touchdowns (345) and 5th all-time in passing yards (47,273), surpassing Fran Tarkenton
Fran Tarkenton
Francis Asbury "Fran" Tarkenton is a former professional football player, TV personality, and computer software executive....
in both categories.
Week 7 at St. Louis Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
(W 42–6): Though only throwing for 235 yards (ending his streak of five consecutive 300-yard passing games; record is 6), Manning threw three TD passes and led the Colts to their 15th straight regular season win and set a franchise-record with an eighth straight road win.
Week 8 vs. San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
(W 18–14): Held without a TD pass for the first time in 10 games, Manning threw for 347 yards and running back Joseph Addai
Joseph Addai
Joseph Addai, Jr. is an American football running back for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was selected in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft out of Louisiana State University.-Early years:Addai's family hails from Ghana in West Africa...
threw the game-winning TD pass on a trick play to start the 4th quarter for Indy's 16th consecutive regular season win.
Week 9 vs. Houston Texans
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
(W 20–17): Manning reached several milestones in leading the Colts to becoming the fourth team in NFL history with 17 straight regular-season wins. He moved past Fran Tarkenton for 4th all-time in wins with 125. He became the first quarterback to pass for over 40,000 yards in a decade. He threw a career-high 25 passes in the 1st quarter (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 (also a NFL record through the first 8 games of a season ). He led his third 4th quarter comeback of the season.
Week 10 vs. New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
(W 35–34): Trailing 31–14 early in the 4th quarter, Manning led the Colts on three touchdown drives for his 32nd 4th quarter comeback victory. He threw a 1-yard winning TD pass to Reggie Wayne with 13 seconds remaining. For the game, Manning had 4 TD passes and 327 yards passing, his eighth 300 yard passing game of the season. The 18 straight regular season wins are tied for the second longest streak in NFL history. He was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for the 20th time.
Week 11 at Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
(W 17–15): Manning fell one yard shy of reaching 300 yards passing in the 19th consecutive regular season win for the Colts. For the first time in NFL history, a team won four straight games after trailing in the 4th quarter as Manning led the game-winning field goal drive. He surpassed 3000 yards passing for the 12th straight season.
Week 12 at Houston Texans
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
(W 35–27): After trailing 17–0 in the second quarter, the Colts rallied back behind three Manning TD passes for their 20th straight regular season win to clinch the AFC South division title. It was the fifth straight game Manning led a game-winning drive in the 4th quarter, another NFL record. It was his 34th comeback win in the 4th quarter, tying him with John Elway and Johnny Unitas for the second most in NFL history.
Week 13 vs. Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
(W 27–17): Manning used a 24–10 halftime lead and a time-consuming field goal drive in the 4th quarter to secure the Colts' record-tying 21st straight regular season win. They also extended their record to 7 straight seasons with at least 12 wins and tied the 1990 49ers for the most wins in a decade (113).
Week 14 vs. Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
(W 28–16): Manning threw 3 TD passes for a 21–0 lead, then after a season-high 3 interceptions, threw a game-clinching TD pass to Dallas Clark as the Colts clinched the #1 seed in the AFC, and set NFL records for most consecutive regular seasons wins (22) and most wins in a decade (114). It was also the 13th straight win at home, a franchise record.
Week 15 at Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
(W 35–31): For a record 7th time in a season (35th career), Manning led the Colts to victory after trailing in the 4th quarter on Thursday Night Football. In a performance similar to his MVP-clinching game in 2008 at Jacksonville, Manning completed 23 of 30 passes for 308 yards and 4 TDs. He was 12/12 in the first half with 2 TD passes on the only two offensive possessions the Colts had in the half. On 3rd & 5 with just over five minutes remaining in the game, Manning threw the 65 yard game winning TD pass to Reggie Wayne as the Colts became the third team to ever start a season 14–0 (1972 Dolphins, 2007 Patriots), and in the process, tied or broke several passing marks: Manning went over 4,000 yards passing for a record 10th time in his career. He had his ninth 300-yard passing game of the season, one shy of the NFL record of ten 300-yard passing games in a season. It was also the 21st time Manning threw 4 TDs in a game, tying Marino for 2nd all-time. Finally, his 23rd consecutive regular season win broke Jim McMahon
Jim McMahon
James Robert "Jim" McMahon, Jr. is a former American football player. He played college football at Brigham Young University, where he was a two-time All-American and later in the professional ranks with the Chicago Bears, San Diego Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona...
's NFL record of 22 straight wins with the Chicago Bears from 1984-87.
Week 16 vs. New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
(L 29-15): Manning completed 14/21 passes for 192 yards to became the fourth QB in NFL history to pass for 50,000 yards, and is the fastest and youngest to reach that mark. However, the Colts suffered their first loss of the season, putting an end to the record 23 game streak in the regular season. After building a 9-0 lead, the Colts trailed 10-9 when the Jets returned the opening kickoff of the third quarter for a TD. Manning led the Colts on an 81 yard TD drive (two-point conversion failed) to take a 15-10 lead. With 5:36 remaining in the third quarter, rookie back up Curtis Painter
Curtis Painter
Curtis Jeffrey Painter is a quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts. He was drafted in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Purdue Boilermakers.-High school career:...
replaced Manning at QB as Colts coach Jim Caldwell began to rest his starters for the remainder of the game. As the crowd booed the decision, Painter fumbled on his second possession and it was returned for the go ahead score. The Jets would outscore the Colts 19-0 after Manning was taken out. When asked about the decision, Manning said, "I was prepared that that potentially could be the case. I wasn't surprised when that news was told to me."
Week 17 at Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
(L 30-7): Manning only played the first three series before sitting out the rest of the game, which was played in several inches of snow. He completed 14 of 18 passes for 95 yards and one interception to finish the season with 4,500 yards passing and a 99.9 passer rating. The Colts were outscored 49-7 since the decision to bench Manning and other starters in week 16 against the Jets.
Manning was awarded his fourth MVP, breaking the NFL record for most MVPs by a single player. He was also selected to the AP All-Pro team for the fifth time in his career.
AFC Divisional vs. Baltimore Ravens (W 20-3): Manning threw 2 TD passes late in the first half to build a 17-3 halftime lead which the defense would hold in the second half. He completed 30 passes for 246 yards in leading his eight straight victory over the Ravens.
AFC Championship vs. New York Jets (W 30-17) Against the top-ranked defense of the Jets, Manning overcame a 17-6 deficit late in the second quarter to lead the Colts to 24 unanswered points in a 30-17 win. He completed 26 of 39 passes for 377 yards, 3 touchdowns and no turnovers in clinching his second Super Bowl appearance. The 11 point comeback was the third largest in a championship game (the largest being the 18 point rally Manning led against New England in the 2006 AFC Championship). Manning set a playoff record with his seventh 300 yard passing game in the postseason.
Super Bowl XLIV vs. New Orleans Saints (L 31-17) Against his hometown team, Manning led the Colts to a 10-0 lead after their two first quarter drives, throwing a TD pass to Pierre Garcon to cap off a 96 yard drive (tied for longest in Super Bowl history). After running just six plays in the second quarter, the Colts led 10-6 at halftime. The Saints recovered an onside kick to start the second half and took their first lead, 13-10. Manning led a go ahead TD drive to regain the lead. Leading 17-16 at the start of the 4th quarter, Matt Stover
Matt Stover
John Matthew "Matt" Stover is a former American Football placekicker. As of the start of the 2009 NFL season, he was the third most accurate kicker in the history of the National Football League. He is of Greek origin. He has played for the New York Giants, the Cleveland Browns, and the Baltimore...
missed a 51 yard field goal for the Colts. The Saints scored the go ahead TD and two-point conversion to take a 24-17 lead with 5:42 left. Manning took over and moved the Colts to the Saints' 31 yard line. Facing a 3rd & 5 with 3:24 left, his pass intended for Reggie Wayne was intercepted by Tracy Porter
Tracy Porter
Tracy O'Neil Porter is an American football cornerback for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Saints in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Indiana....
, who returned it 74 yards for a critical TD and 31-17 Saints lead. Manning drove the Colts down to the 5 yard line in the last minute, but his 4th & goal pass was dropped by Reggie Wayne at the goal line. The Saints won their first Super Bowl, dropping Manning to 9-9 in the postseason (1-1 Super Bowl record). Manning passed for 333 yards on 31/45, with 1 TD and 1 interception.
2010 season
Week 1 at Houston TexansHouston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
(L 34–24): In a season-opening loss in Houston, Manning set career highs in pass attempts (57) and completions (40), throwing for 3 TDs and 433 yards, the fourth highest opening-weekend total ever. It was his 8th 400 yard passing game in the regular season, putting him in sole possession of 2nd place all time (Dan Marino, 13).
Week 2 vs. New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
(W 38-14): Manning played against his brother Eli in the second "Manning Bowl" on Sunday Night Football. Peyton outdueled his brother, throwing for 3 TDs, and 255 yards.
Week 3 at Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
(W 27-13): Manning passed for 325 yards, 3 TDs and no interceptions, marking the first time since 1960 a QB began a season with three consecutive games of at least 3 TD passes and zero interceptions.
Week 4 at Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
(L 31-28): Manning led two different game-tying TD drives in the fourth quarter, the last coming with 0:48 remaining. Jacksonville won the game on a 59 yard field goal by Josh Scobee
Josh Scobee
Joshua Taylor Scobee is an American football placekicker, who currently plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League . He began his college football career as kicker for the Louisiana Tech University Bulldogs, setting several school records...
on the final play. Manning passed for 352 yards and 2 TDs, surpassing John Elway
John Elway
John Albert Elway, Jr. is a former American football quarterback and currently is the executive vice president of football operations for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League . He played college football at Stanford and his entire professional career with the Denver Broncos...
for third all time in career passing yardage.
Week 5 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
(W 19-9): Manning failed to throw a TD for the first time in 2010, but led the Colts on a game-winning drive in the 4th quarter (45th of his career) to hand the Chiefs their first loss of the season.
Week 6 at Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
(W 27-24): Manning passed for 307 yards and 2 TDs on Sunday Night Football. Including the playoffs, he has 68 career games with 300+ yards passing, moving him ahead of Dan Marino (67) for the most in NFL history.
Week 8 vs. Houston Texans (W 30-17): Manning passed for 268 yards and 2 TDs to improve to 9-0 at home against the Texans and 11-3 on Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football is a live broadcast of the National Football League on ESPN. From to it aired on ABC. Monday Night Football was, along with Hallmark Hall of Fame, and the Walt Disney anthology television series, one of the longest running prime time commercial network television series...
, the best Monday night record for any starting QB (min. 10 wins).
Week 9 at Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
(L 26-24): Making his 200th consecutive regular season start, Manning passed for 294 yards and a TD, but was intercepted twice by Asante Samuel; the second coming with six seconds remaining as Manning tried to get the Colts in position for a winning field goal.
Week 10 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
(W 23-17): Manning was held to a season-low 185 yards passing and no touchdowns, but improved to 7-0 as a career starter against the Bengals.
Week 11 at New England Patriots (L 31-28): Trailing 31-14 in the fourth quarter, Manning threw two TD passes to Blair White
Blair White
Blair White is an American football wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts. He was signed by the Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football at Michigan State.-Early years:...
to make it 31-28. After driving to the New England twenty-four, Manning's first down pass was intercepted by James Sanders with thirty-one seconds remaining, securing the Patriot win. Manning passed for 396 yards, 4 TDs and 3 interceptions. The game marked the 22nd time Manning threw 4 TDs in a game, breaking a tie with Dan Marino
Dan Marino
Daniel Constantine "Dan" Marino, Jr. is a retired American football quarterback who played for the Miami Dolphins in the National Football League...
for second-most all-time.
Week 12 vs. San Diego Chargers (L 36-14): Manning passed for 285 yards, 2 TDs, and 4 interceptions (two were returned for scores) in the largest margin of defeat at home in his NFL career. It was Manning's third career game with at least four interceptions (twice against San Diego). It was the fifth loss of the season for Indianapolis, ending the record streak of seven consecutive seasons with 12+ wins.
Week 13 vs. Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
(L 38-35 OT): For the second straight game, Manning finished with 2 TD passes and 4 interceptions (two returned for scores) as the Colts lost in overtime. The first interception return resulted in a 17-0 deficit in the first half. After taking a lead, the Colts trailed 35-28 late in the fourth quarter as Manning then engineered an 81-yard tying TD drive to force overtime. On their second possession in OT, Manning's third down pass was intercepted and returned to the Colts' 36 yard line. Dallas kicked the winning field goal six plays later. Manning threw for 365 yards.
Week 14 at Tennessee Titans (W 30-28): Manning bounced back on Thursday Night Football with an interception-free performance, passing for 319 yards and 2 TDs. He went over 4000 yards passing for the 11th time in a season, and tied Dan Marino with his 63rd regular season game with 300+ yards passing. Manning was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for this game.
Week 15 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (W 34-24): Manning passed for 229 yards and 2 TDs as the Colts prevented Jacksonville from claiming the AFC South with a victory.
Week 16 vs. Oakland Raiders (W 31-26): Manning passed for 179 yards and 3 TDs, and had a 27 yard rush on third-and-two in the fourth quarter to clinch a third straight win for the Colts.
Week 17 vs. Tennessee Titans (W 23-20): Manning led the 46th game-winning drive of his career as the Colts won the AFC South for the seventh time in eight years, and Manning became the first QB in NFL history to lead his team to nine consecutive postseason berths (2002–2010). It was the 208th consecutive regular season start of his career, breaking Gene Upshaw
Gene Upshaw
Eugene Thurman Upshaw, Jr. was an American football player for the Oakland Raiders of the American Football League and later the NFL, later the executive director of the National Football League Players' Association...
's record. For the season, Manning finished with a NFL record 450 completions on 679 attempts (2nd most in history), and a career-high 4700 yards passing.
AFC Wild Card vs. New York Jets (L 17-16): With 2:36 remaining in the fourth quarter and the Colts trailing 14-13, Manning led a 48-yard drive that ended in a 50 yard FG by Adam Vinatieri, putting the Colts ahead 16-14 with 0:53 remaining. The Jets won the game on a FG as time expired, ending the season for Manning and the Colts. Manning completed 18 of 26 passes for 225 yards and a TD.
2011 season
The Colts placed their franchise tagFranchise Tag
In the National Football League, the franchise tag is a designation a team may apply to a player scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. The tag binds the player to the team for one year if certain conditions are met. Each team has access each year to only one franchise tag and one...
on Manning on February 15, 2011. On July 30, 2011, the Colts signed Manning to a 5 year, $90 million contract after negotiations in which he made it clear that he did not need to be the highest-paid player in the NFL.
After a setback in his recovery from a May 23 neck surgery, on September 7, 2011 the Colts officially ruled Manning out for the season opener against Houston, ending his consecutive starts streak of 208 games (227 including playoffs)
Most consecutive starts (NFL)
This is a list of the most consecutive starts and games played by a player by position in the NFL.Brett Favre's starts streak of 297 games is the longest all-time. Among defensive players, Jim Marshall's starts streak of 270 is the longest all-time. Of special note is punter Jeff Feagles, who...
; the Colts signed Kerry Collins
Kerry Collins
Kerry Michael Collins is an American football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Carolina Panthers with the fifth overall pick of the 1995 NFL Draft, the first choice in the franchise's history...
out of retirement and named him interim starting quarterback. After seeking other opinions, Manning had another surgery on September 8, 2011. This surgery was a one-level cervical neck fusion, and the typical minimum recovery time is reportedly two to three months.
Personal life
Manning was born in New Orleans, LouisianaNew Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
. He married his wife, Ashley, in Memphis on St. Patrick's Day in 2001. Ashley was introduced to him by her parents' next-door neighbor the summer before Manning's freshman year in college. Peyton and wife Ashley have twins, a boy and a girl, Marshall Williams and Mosley Thompson.
During the summer, Archie, Peyton, Eli, and Cooper run the Manning Passing Academy, a five day camp which aims to improve the offensive skills of quarterbacks, wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
s, tight end
Tight end
The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
s, and running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
s. In addition to the Mannings, the camp has included many prominent players from football as coaches, such as Colts wide receivers Marvin Harrison
Marvin Harrison
Marvin Daniel Harrison is a former American football wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the first round of the 1996 NFL Draft. He played college football at Syracuse...
and Reggie Wayne
Reggie Wayne
Reginald "Reggie" Wayne is a professional American football wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. Wayne was selected in the 1st round of the 2001 NFL Draft by the Colts...
.
Peyton, along with Archie, authored a book entitled Manning: A Father, His Sons, and a Football Legacy, which was released in 2000. The book covers Archie's and Cooper's lives and careers, and Peyton's life and career up to the time that the book was released, and examines football from both Archie's and Peyton's points-of-view.
In 2009, Peyton, Eli, and Archie co-authored a children's book entitled Family Huddle, which describes in simple text and pictures how the three Manning brothers played football as young boys (Scholastic Press; illustrations by Jim Madsen).
Manning has donated over $8,000 to Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
politicians, among them Fred Thompson, Bob Corker
Bob Corker
Robert Phillips "Bob" Corker, Jr. is the junior United States Senator from Tennessee. Before his election to the Senate in 2006, he served as mayor of Chattanooga, Tennessee from 2001 to 2005. Corker was a businessman prior to holding public office.-Early life and family:Born in Orangeburg, South...
, and former President George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
.
Manning in popular culture
Manning has become the NFL's most marketable player, appearing in several television and printed advertisements for some of the NFL's biggest sponsors.Manning made an appearance on Saturday Night Live's sports extra in 2008 in which he was in a children's football scene, and a high school basketball scene.
An ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
This is SportsCenter
This is SportsCenter
This is SportsCenter is the name of a series of comical television commercials run by ESPN to promote their SportsCenter sports news show. The ads are presented in a deadpan mockumentary style, lampooning various aspects of sports, and sports broadcasting. The commercials debuted in 1994...
ad from 2006 features the entire Manning family; parents Archie and Olivia, with their sons Peyton, Eli and Cooper, touring the SportCenter studios with Peyton and Eli engaging in horseplay behind everybody.
He was also featured in one of a series of DirecTV
DirecTV
DirecTV is an American direct broadcast satellite service provider and broadcaster based in El Segundo, California. Its satellite service, launched on June 17, 1994, transmits digital satellite television and audio to households in the United States, Latin America, and the Anglophone Caribbean. ...
commercials where celebrities are seen in their element, then suddenly begin addressing the viewer
Fourth wall
The fourth wall is the imaginary "wall" at the front of the stage in a traditional three-walled box set in a proscenium theatre, through which the audience sees the action in the world of the play...
. In his commercial they parodied his pre-snap audible routine and known delay in calling for the ball by having him pitch NFL Sunday Ticket
NFL Sunday Ticket
NFL Sunday Ticket is an Out-of-Market Sports Package that broadcasts National Football League regular season games unavailable on local affiliates. It carries all regional Sunday afternoon games produced by Fox and CBS...
instead of changing the play during a blowout game against the Tennessee Titans. Manning also appears in advertisements for St. Mary's Medical Center in Knoxville, Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee
Founded in 1786, Knoxville is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Tennessee, U.S.A., behind Memphis and Nashville, and is the county seat of Knox County. It is the largest city in East Tennessee, and the second-largest city in the Appalachia region...
.
Manning also hosted Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
with musical guest Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood
Carrie Marie Underwood is an American country singer-songwriter and actress who rose to fame as the winner of the fourth season of American Idol, in 2005...
on March 24, 2007, his 31st birthday. The episode earned the show's highest household rating in more than 10 months in the metered markets. During his opening, he alluded to his most-marketable status by joking that he had accomplished two of his life goals: his team, the Colts, winning a Super Bowl and his appearance on over half of America's television commercials. He has also won the Favorite Male Athlete award for the Kids Choice Awards.
On May 27, 2007 Manning waved the green flag to begin the 91st Indianapolis 500
2007 Indianapolis 500
The 91st Indianapolis 500 ran on Sunday, May 27, 2007 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It was the 12th Indy 500 sanctioned by the Indy Racing League, and marked the fifth race of the 2007 IndyCar Series season just after the 2007 Kansas Lottery Indy 300 and just before the 2007 ABC Supply...
.
In 2009, Manning guest-voiced (with his brothers, Eli and Cooper) on an episode of The Simpsons called "O Brother, Where Bart Thou?
O Brother, Where Bart Thou?
"O Brother, Where Bart Thou?" is the eighth episode of The Simpsons 21st season. It first aired on December 13, 2009. In this episode, Bart goes on a quest to get a baby brother out of jealousy of the sisterly bond Lisa has with Maggie....
" in which Bart dreams of having a baby brother and sees such famous brothers as The Marx Brothers, The Blues Brothers, The Wright Brothers, The Mario Brothers, and The Manning Brothers.
Charitable works
Shortly after beginning his NFL career, Manning started his own charity, the Peyback Foundation. The Peyback Foundation's mission is to help disadvantaged kids, and focuses its efforts in Louisiana, Tennessee, and Indiana.Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
. Among the tasks performed, the Mannings assisted in the delivery of 30,000 pounds of water, Gatorade, baby formula, diapers, and pillows to the people of New Orleans.
On September, 2007, St. Vincent Hospital
St. Vincent Indianapolis Hospital
St. Vincent Hospital is a hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. It is the flagship installation of St. Vincent Health which operates 20 facilities over 46 Indiana counties and is one of the largest ministries in the Catholic health care organization Ascension Health.-History:The Daughters of...
in Indianapolis renamed its children's hospital to "Peyton Manning Children's Hospital at St. Vincent." Manning and his wife made a donation of an undisclosed amount to St. Vincent's and have had a relationship with the hospital since his arrival in Indianapolis.
The Manning Bowl
The Manning brothers Peyton and Eli have played against each other a few times in their professional careers. These encounters have been colloquially named "The Manning Bowl". The first Manning Bowl was held on September 10, 2006 and Peyton's Colts defeated Eli's Giants by a score of 26-21 . The second Manning Bowl was held on September 19, 2010 and Peyton and his team bested Eli's team again by a score of 38-14.Major high school awards
- 1992, 1993 Louisiana Class 2A MVP
- 1993 Gatorade Circle of Champions Award
- 1993 Atlanta TD Club's Bobby DoddBobby DoddRobert Lee Dodd was an American college football coach at Georgia Tech. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame as a player and coach, something that only three people have accomplished....
Award - 1993 New Orleans Quarterback Club Player of the Year
- 1993 Columbus, Ohio Touchdown Club Offensive Player of the Year
- 1993 Gatorade High School Player of the Year (National)
College awards
- 1994 SEC Freshman of the Year
- 1995 First-Team All-SEC
- 1995 SEC Offensive Player of the Week (vs. Arkansas)
- 1995 NCAA Offensive Player of the Week (vs. Arkansas)
- 1996 Second-Team All-SEC
- 1996 Third-Team All-American
- 1996 SEC Offensive Player of the Week (vs. South Carolina)
- 1996 SEC Offensive Player of the Week (vs. Georgia)
- 1997 Davey O'Brien AwardDavey O'Brien AwardThe Davey O'Brien Award, officially the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award, named after Davey O'Brien, is presented annually to the collegiate American football player adjudged by the Davey O'Brien Foundation to be the best of all National Collegiate Athletic Association quarterbacks. The...
- 1997 Johnny Unitas Award
- 1997 NCAA QB of the Year
- 1997 Maxwell AwardMaxwell AwardThe Maxwell Award is presented annually to the collegiate American football player judged by a panel of sportscasters, sportswriters, and National Collegiate Athletic Association head coaches and the membership of the Maxwell Football Club to be the best football player in the United States. The...
- 1997 James E. Sullivan AwardJames E. Sullivan AwardThe James E. Sullivan Award, presented by the American Amateur Athletic Union , is awarded annually in April to "the outstanding amateur athlete in the United States". Often referred to as the Oscar of sports awards, it was first presented in 1930. The award is named for the AAU's founder and past...
- 1997 Today's Top VIII AwardToday's Top VIII AwardThe Today's Top VIII Award is given each year by the National Collegiate Athletic Association to honor eight outstanding senior student-athletes of the preceding calendar year. From 1973 through 1985, this award was known as the Today's Top V Award or the Top Five Award and was given to honor five...
- 1997 SEC ChampionshipSEC Championship GameThe SEC Championship Game refers to the game determining the Southeastern Conference's football season champion. The championship game pits the SEC Western Division representative against the Eastern Division representative in a game held after the regular season has been completed. Thus far, nine...
MVP - 1997 Citrus BowlCapital One BowlThe Capital One Bowl is an annual college football bowl game played in Orlando, Florida at the Citrus Bowl, and previously known as the Tangerine Bowl and the Florida Citrus Bowl...
MVP - 1997 First-Team All-American1997 College Football All-America TeamThe 1997 College Football All-America Team is composed of the following All-American Teams: Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America, American Football Coaches Association, Walter Camp Foundation, The Sporting News and Football News....
- 1997 SEC Player of the Year
- 1997 First-Team All-SEC
- 1997 SEC Player of the Week (vs. Southern Miss)
- 1998 Best College Player ESPY Award
NFL awards
- NFL MVP (2003 (shared with Steve McNairSteve McNairStephen LaTreal McNair was an American football quarterback who spent the majority of his NFL career with the Tennessee Titans....
), 2004, 2008, 2009) - Best NFL Player ESPY Award(2004, 2005)
- 11× Pro Bowl Selection (1999–2000, 2002–2010)
- 5× First-team All-Pro (2003, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2009)
- 3× Second-team All-Pro (1999, 2000, 2006)
- 2× Bert Bell Award (2003, 2004)
- 6× AFC Offensive Player of the Year Awards (1999, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2009)
- 1998 NFL All-Rookie First Team
- 2004 AFC Offensive Player of the Year
- 2004 Fedex Express Player of the Year
- 2005 Best Record-Breaking Performance ESPY Award
- 2005 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award
- 2005 Byron “Whizzer” White Humanitarian Award
- 2005 Pro Bowl MVP
- 2007 Super Bowl MVP
- 2007 Best Championship Performance ESPY Award
Additionally, Manning has been named the AFC Offensive Player of the Month four times (9/2003, 11/2004, 10/2006, 9/2009) and Offensive Player of the Week on 21 occasions (20 AFC, 1 NFL/playoff).
Tennessee Volunteers records
- Most passing attempts (career): 1,381
- Most passing attempts (season): 477 (1997)
- Most passing attempts (game): 65 (09/21/96 vs. Florida)
- Most completions (career): 863
- Most completions (game): 37 (09/21/96 vs. Florida)
- Most consecutive completions (game): 12 (11/22/97 vs. Kentucky)
- Highest completion percentage (career): 62.49%
- Highest completion percentage (season): 64.2% (1995)
- Lowest interception percentage (career): 2.39%
- Lowest interception percentage (season): 1.05% (1995)
- Most consecutive passes without an interception (season): 132
- Most passing yards (season): 3,819 (1997)
- Most passing yards (career): 11,201
- Most passing yards (game): 508 (11/22/97 vs. Kentucky)
- Most offensive yards (career): 11,020
- Most 500+ passing yard games (career): 1
- Most 400+ passing yard games (career): 3
- Most 300+ passing yard games (career): 18
- Most 300+ passing yard games (season): 9 (1997)
- Most consecutive 300+ passing yard games: 7
- Most 200+ passing yard games (career): 30
- Most wins as starting quarterback (career): 39
- Most touchdown passes (career): 89
- Most touchdown passes (game): 5 (08/30/97 vs. Texas Tech, 11/22/97 vs. Kentucky)
- Most touchdowns (career): 101
- Most offensive plays (career): 1,534
- Most offensive plays (season): 538 (1997)
- Most offensive plays (game): 70 (09/21/96 vs. Florida)
SEC records
- Lowest interception percentage (season): 1.05% (1995)
- Highest completion percentage (career): 62.49%
- Lowest interception percentage (career): 2.39%
- Most 300+ passing yard games (career): 18
Regular season
- Highest passer rating, season: 121.1 (2004)
- Most seasons with at least 4,000 passing yards: 11 (1999–2004, 2006–2010)
- Most consecutive seasons with at least 4,000 passing yards: 6 (1999–2004)
- Most pass completions in a season: 450 (2010)
- Most games with 40+ pass attempts in a season: 10 (2010)
- Most games with 30+ pass completions in a season: 6 (2010; tied with Kurt WarnerKurt WarnerKurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...
and Rich GannonRich GannonRichard Joseph Gannon is a former football quarterback, who achieved most of his success late in his career with the Oakland Raiders in the National Football League...
) - Most consecutive seasons with at least 20 touchdown passes: 13 (1998–2010; current)
- Most consecutive seasons with at least 25 touchdown passes: 13 (1998–2010; current)
- Most games with a perfect passer ratingPasser ratingPasser rating is a measure of the performance of quarterbacks or any other passers in American football and Canadian football. There are at least two formulae currently in use: one officially used by the National Football League and the Canadian Football League, and one used in college football...
, career: 4 (includes 1 playoff game) - Most consecutive games started to open a career: 208
- Most consecutive games with at least 2 touchdown passes: 13 (games 1–13, 2004)
- Most consecutive games with at least 4 touchdown passes: 5 (games 7–11, 2004)
- Most games with at least 4 touchdown passes, season: 6 (2004; tied with 1984 Marino)
- Most games with at least 4 touchdown passes, career: 24 (includes 2 playoff games; tied with Brett Favre)
- Most games with at least 5 touchdown passes, career: 7 (includes 1 playoff game)
- Most games with at least 5 touchdown passes and no interceptions, career: 4 (tied with Tom Brady)
- One of only seven QBs with at least 6 touchdown passes in two games (tied with Sammy Baugh, Y.A. Tittle, Daryle Lamonica, Tom Brady, Charley Johnson and George Blanda)
- One of only two QBs with at least 6 touchdown passes and no interceptions in two games (tied with Tom Brady)
- Most regular games with at least 300 passing yards: 63 (tied with Dan Marino)
- Most regular and postseason games with at least 300 passing yards: 71
- Most games with at least 400 yards passing and no interceptions: 4
- Most career touchdown passes in Thursday games: 25
- Most touchdown passes on a Thursday game: 6 (tied with Bob GrieseBob GrieseRobert Allen "Bob" Griese is a former American collegiate and Professional Football quarterback who earned All-American honors with the Purdue Boilermakers before being drafted in 1967 by the American Football League's Miami Dolphins...
) - Largest career TD-INT differential: 201
- Highest career passing TDs/game average (min. 150 TD passes): 1.91 TDs/game
- Highest career passing yards/game average: 263.6
- Second-Highest career completions/game average (min. 100 games played): 22.5
- Most consecutive games with a passer rating over 100: 9 (games 5–13 of 2004 season; record tied by Carson Palmer, 2004–05 and Tom Brady, 2006–07; surpassed by Aaron RodgersAaron RodgersAaron Charles Rodgers is an American football quarterback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . Rodgers was selected in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Packers...
in 2011) - Highest completion percentage by a QB in one month in NFL history (min. 75 attempts): 81.8% (December 2008)
- Most career games with a completion percentage of 70% or higher (min. 10 attempts): 66
- Most consecutive regular season wins as a starter: 23 (2008–2009)
- Most seasons with 10+ wins as a starter (regular season only): 11 (1999–2000, 2002–2010)
- Most seasons with 12+ wins as a starter (regular season only): 8 (1999, 2003–2009)
- Only QB with at least 12 wins as a starter in 7 consecutive seasons (2003–2009)
- Only QB with nine straight seasons of 10+ wins as a starter (2002–2010)
- Only QB to lead five consecutive 4th quarter comeback wins (games 7–11, 2009)
- Most fourth quarter comeback wins in one season: 7 (2009)
- First QB to defeat the other 31 teams in the regular season (Tom Brady did this later the same day, and Brett Favre did it the following week)
- Most wins as a starting QB in a decade, regular season only: 115 (2000s)
- Most wins as a starting QB in a decade, regular & postseason: 124 (2000s)
- Most AP NFL MVP Awards: 4 (2003, 2004, 2008, 2009)
- Most Touchdown Passes in a decade: 314 (2000–2009)
- Most Passing Yards in a decade: 42,254 (2000–2009)
- Most Completions in a decade: 3,575 (2000–2009)
Playoff records
- Most 300+ yard passing games: 8
- Most 400+ yard passing games: 2 (tied with Dan MarinoDan MarinoDaniel Constantine "Dan" Marino, Jr. is a retired American football quarterback who played for the Miami Dolphins in the National Football League...
) - Most yards passing, 1st half of game: 360 vs. Denver Broncos, 1/9/05
- Led the biggest comeback in conference championship game history (18 pts), 1/21/07 vs. New England
- One of only four QBs to post a perfect 158.3 passer rating in a game (Don Meredith, Terry Bradshaw, Dave Krieg)
- Most games with 20+ completions: 14
- Most games with 30+ completions: 4
- Most games with 30+ attempts: 17
- Most games with 40+ attempts: 8
- Most completions and attempts in a single postseason: 97/153 (2006)
- One of only 2 quarterbacks to complete 80% of his passes in two playoff games (tied with Kurt Warner)
- Most consecutive postseasons with at least one start: 9 (2002–2010)
Rookie records
- Most passing yards: 3,739
- Most touchdown passes: 26
- Most consecutive games with a touchdown pass (games 4–16): 13
- Most games with at least one touchdown pass: 15
- Most games with 300+ yards passing: 4
With Marvin Harrison
Manning and former Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison hold a number of QB-WR tandem records:- Most completions/receptions (career): 953
- Most passing/receiving yards (career): 12,756
- Most passing/receiving touchdowns (career): 112
- Most completions/receptions in a season, QB-to-WR duo: 143 (2002)
- Most passing/receiving yards in a season, QB-to-WR duo: 1,722 (2002)
Pro Bowl records
- Most Pro Bowl selections for a QB: 11 (tied with Brett Favre)
- Most consecutive Pro Bowl selections for a QB: 9 (following the 2002-2010 seasons)
- Most passing attempts (career): 150
- Most passing attempts (game): 41 (2004)
- Most completions (career): 92
- Most completions (game): 22 (2004)
- Most passing yards (career): 1,278
- Most passing yards (game): 342 (2004)
- Most passing touchdowns (career): 13
Colts franchise records
- Most passing attempts (career): 7,210
- Most passing attempts (season): 679 (2010)
- Most passing attempts (rookie season): 575 (1998)
- Most 40+ passing attempt games (career): 56
- Most completions (career): 4,682
- Most completions (season): 450 (2010)
- Most completions (rookie season): 326 (1998)
- Most completions (game): 40 (09/12/10 at Houston)
- Most completions (rookie game): 30 (11/01/98 vs. New England)
- Most consecutive completions: 23 (12/14/08-12/18/08 vs. Detroit/Jacksonville)
- Most games with 20+ completions (career): 140
- Most consecutive games with 20+ completions: 14 (games 1–14, 2010)
- Most games with 30+ completions (career): 23
- Highest completion percentage (career): 64.9%
- Highest completion percentage (season): 68.8% (2009)
- Highest completion percentage (rookie season): 56.7%
- Highest completion percentage (game): 87.5% (14/16 for 95 yards, 12/30/07 vs. Tennessee)
- Most passing yards (career): 54,828
- Most passing yards (season): 4,700 (2010)
- Most passing yards (rookie season): 3,739
- Most passing yards (game): 472 (10/31/04 vs. Kansas City)
- Most 300+ passing yard games (career): 63
- Most 300+ passing yard games (season): 9 (2009)
- Most 300+ passing yard games (rookie season): 4
- Most consecutive passing 300+ yard games: 5 (games 1–5 in 2009)
- Most seasons with at least 4,000 passing yards : 11 (1999–2004, 2006–2010)
- Most consecutive seasons with at least 4,000 passing yards (1999–2004): 6
- Most touchdown passes (career): 399
- Most touchdown passes (season): 49 (2004)
- Most touchdown passes (rookie season): 26
- Most touchdown passes (game): 6 (09/28/03 vs. New Orleans and 11/25/04 vs. Detroit)
- Most touchdown passes (rookie game): 3 (4 times; tied with Johnny Unitas and Jeff George)
- Most games with at least 4 touchdown passes (career): 22
- Most games with at least 4 touchdown passes (season, 2004): 6
- Most games with at least 3 touchdown passes (career): 64
- Most games with at least 1 touchdown pass (season): 15 (5 times)
- Most games with at least 1 touchdown pass (rookie season): 15 (1998)
- Most consecutive games with at least 4 touchdown passes (games 7–11, 2004): 5 (2004)
- Most consecutive games with at least 3 touchdown passes : 8 (games 5–12, 2004)
- Most consecutive games with at least 2 touchdown passes: 13 (games 1–13, 2004)
- Most consecutive games with at least 1 touchdown pass (rookie season): 13 (games 4–16)
- Most consecutive seasons with at least 25 touchdown passes : 13 (1998–2010, current)
- Highest touchdown percentage (career): 5.66%
- Highest touchdown percentage (season): 9.86% (2004)
- Highest touchdown percentage (game): 24.00% (09/28/03 vs. New Orleans)
- Most interceptions thrown (game): 6 (11/11/07 vs. San Diego)
- Most interceptions thrown (season): 28 (1998)
- Highest passer rating (career): 94.9
- Highest passer rating (season): 121.1 (2004)
- Most games with a perfect passer ratingPasser ratingPasser rating is a measure of the performance of quarterbacks or any other passers in American football and Canadian football. There are at least two formulae currently in use: one officially used by the National Football League and the Canadian Football League, and one used in college football...
(career): 4 (includes 1 playoff game) - Most consecutive games started to open a career by a quarterback: 208 (current)
- Most games played, franchise history: 208
- Most consecutive games started, franchise history: 208 (current)
- Most comeback wins in the 4th quarter (career): 35 (includes one playoff game)
- Most comeback wins in the 4th quarter (season): 7 (2009)
- Most game-winning drives in the 4th quarter/overtime (career): 46 (includes one playoff game)
- Most game-winning drives in the 4th quarter/overtime (season): 7 (1999, 2008, 2009)
NFL career statistics
All statistics from Pro Football Reference, CBS Sportsline, and ESPNRegular season
| Year | | Team | | Games | | Starts | |Wins | | Passing | | Rushing | | Rating | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comp | Att | Pct | Yds | YPA | TD | Int | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | ||||||
| 1998 1998 NFL season The 1998 NFL season was the 79th regular season of the National Football League.The Tennessee Oilers moved their home games from Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis to Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, still awaiting construction on a new stadium in Nashville.This was the first season that CBS... |
IND | 16 | 16 | 3 | 326 | 575 | 56.7 | 3,739 | 6.5 | 26 | 28 | 15 | 62 | 4.1 | 0 | 71.2 |
| 1999 1999 NFL season The 1999 NFL season was the 80th regular season of the National Football League. The Cleveland Browns returned to the field for the first time since the 1995 season... |
IND | 16 | 16 | 13 | 331 | 533 | 62.1 | 4,135 | 7.8 | 26 | 15 | 35 | 73 | 2.1 | 2 | 90.7 |
| 2000 2000 NFL season The 2000 NFL season was the 81st regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl XXXV when the Baltimore Ravens defeated the New York Giants.Week 1 of the season reverted to Labor Day weekend in 2000... |
IND | 16 | 16 | 10 | 357 | 571 | 62.5 | 4,413 | 7.7 | 33 | 15 | 37 | 116 | 3.1 | 1 | 94.7 |
| 2001 2001 NFL season The 2001 NFL season was the 82nd regular season of the National Football League.Following a pattern set in 1999, the first week of the season was permanently moved to the weekend following Labor Day... |
IND | 16 | 16 | 6 | 343 | 547 | 62.7 | 4,131 | 7.6 | 26 | 23 | 35 | 157 | 4.5 | 4 | 84.1 |
| 2002 2002 NFL season The 2002 NFL season was the 83rd regular season of the National Football League.The league went back to an even number of teams, expanding to 32 teams with the addition of the Houston Texans. The clubs were then realigned into eight divisions, four teams in each... |
IND | 16 | 16 | 10 | 392 | 591 | 66.3 | 4,200 | 7.1 | 27 | 19 | 38 | 148 | 3.9 | 2 | 88.8 |
| 2003 2003 NFL season -Milestones:The following teams and players set all-time NFL records during the season:-Team:-Individual:-Awards:-External Links:**-References:*NFL Record and Fact Book *... |
IND | 16 | 16 | 12 | 379 | 566 | 67.0 | 4,267 | 7.5 | 29 | 10 | 28 | 26 | 0.9 | 0 | 99.0 |
| 2004 2004 NFL season The 2004 NFL season was the 85th regular season of the National Football League.With the New England Patriots as the defending league champions, regular season play was held from September 9, 2004 to January 2, 2005... |
IND | 16 | 16 | 12 | 336 | 497 | 67.7 | 4,557 | 9.2 | 49 | 10 | 25 | 38 | 1.5 | 0 | 121.1 |
| 2005 2005 NFL season The 2005 NFL season was the 86th regular season of the National Football League.With the New England Patriots as the defending league champions, regular season play was held from September 8, 2005 to January 1, 2006... |
IND | 16 | 16 | 14 | 305 | 453 | 67.3 | 3,747 | 8.3 | 28 | 10 | 33 | 45 | 1.4 | 0 | 104.1 |
| 2006 2006 NFL season The 2006 NFL season was the 87th regular season of the National Football League.Regular season play was held from September 7 to December 31, 2006... |
IND | 16 | 16 | 12 | 362 | 557 | 65.0 | 4,397 | 7.9 | 31 | 9 | 23 | 36 | 1.6 | 4 | 101.0 |
| 2007 2007 NFL season The 2007 NFL season was the 88th regular season of the National Football League.Regular-season play was held from September 6 to December 30.... |
IND | 16 | 16 | 13 | 337 | 515 | 65.4 | 4,040 | 7.8 | 31 | 14 | 20 | −5 | −0.3 | 3 | 98.0 |
| 2008 2008 NFL season The 2008 NFL season was the 89th regular season of the National Football League, themed with the slogan "Believe in Now."Super Bowl XLIII, the league's championship game, was at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on February 1, 2009, with the Pittsburgh Steelers coming out victorious over the... |
IND | 16 | 16 | 12 | 371 | 555 | 66.8 | 4,002 | 7.2 | 27 | 12 | 20 | 21 | 1.1 | 1 | 95.0 |
| 2009 2009 NFL season The 2009 NFL season was the 90th regular season of the National Football League.The preseason started with the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on August 9, 2009, and the regular season began September 10. The season ended with Super Bowl XLIV, the league's championship game, on February 7, 2010 at... |
IND | 16 | 16 | 14 | 393 | 571 | 68.8 | 4,500 | 7.9 | 33 | 16 | 19 | −13 | −0.7 | 0 | 99.9 |
| 2010 2010 NFL season The 2010 NFL season was the 91st regular season of the National Football League.The regular season began with the NFL Kickoff game on NBC on Thursday, September 9, at the Louisiana Superdome as the New Orleans Saints, Super Bowl XLIV champions, defeated the Minnesota Vikings 14–9.Tom Brady,... |
IND | 16 | 16 | 10 | 450 | 679 | 66.3 | 4,700 | 7.0 | 33 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 1.0 | 0 | 91.9 |
| Career | 208 | 208 | 141 | 4,682 | 7,210 | 64.9 | 54,828 | 7.6 | 399 | 198 | 346 | 722 | 2.1 | 17 | 94.9 | |
- League Leader NFL Record
Post-season
| Year | | Team | | Games | | Wins | | Passing | | Rushing | | Passer Rating | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comp | Att | Pct | Yds | YPA | TD | Int | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | |||||
| 1999 NFL playoffs, 1999-2000 The NFL playoffs following the 1999 NFL season led up to Super Bowl XXXIV.These playoffs were notable in that all outdoor games were played with gametime temperatures of 50°F or higher, making for one of the warmest playoff seasons of all time... |
IND | 1 | 0 | 19 | 42 | 45.2 | 227 | 5.4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 22 | 11 | 1 | 62.3 |
| 2000 NFL playoffs, 2000-01 The NFL playoffs following the 2000 NFL season led up to Super Bowl XXXV.This would be the last time that playoff games would be played at the accustomed times of 12:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. EST... |
IND | 1 | 0 | 17 | 32 | 53.1 | 194 | 6.1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −2 | −2 | 0 | 82.0 |
| 2002 NFL playoffs, 2002-03 The 2002-03 NFL playoffs followed the 2002 NFL season and concluded with Super Bowl XXXVII.Prior to the 2002-03 season, the league realigned its teams into eight divisions . Thus, the 12-team playoff format was modified... |
IND | 1 | 0 | 14 | 31 | 45.2 | 137 | 4.4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 31.2 |
| 2003 NFL playoffs, 2003-04 The NFL playoffs following the 2003 NFL season led up to Super Bowl XXXVIII.Beginning with the 2003–04 season, the NFL changed the selection procedures regarding officials for playoffs games. The league suspended the prior practice of assembling "all-star" officiating crews of highly-rated... |
IND | 3 | 2 | 67 | 103 | 65.0 | 918 | 8.9 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 0.8 | 0 | 106.4 |
| 2004 NFL playoffs, 2004-05 The NFL playoffs following the 2004 NFL season led up to Super Bowl XXXIX.-NFC: St. Louis Rams 27, Seattle Seahawks 20:Although the Rams barely made the playoffs with an 8–8 record, two of their regular season wins were against Seattle... |
IND | 2 | 1 | 54 | 75 | 72.0 | 696 | 9.3 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 3.5 | 1 | 107.4 |
| 2005 NFL playoffs, 2005-06 The National Football League playoffs for the 2005 season began on January 7, 2006 and led up to Super Bowl XL on February 5, 2006 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan.... |
IND | 1 | 0 | 22 | 38 | 57.9 | 290 | 7.6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 90.9 |
| 2006 NFL playoffs, 2006-07 The National Football League playoffs for the 2006 season began on January 6, 2007 and led up to Super Bowl XLI on February 4, 2007 at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.-AFC: Indianapolis Colts 23, Kansas City Chiefs 8:... |
IND | 4 | 4 | 97 | 153 | 63.4 | 1,034 | 6.8 | 3 | 7 | 8 | 3 | 0.4 | 1 | 70.5 |
| 2007 | IND | 1 | 0 | 33 | 48 | 68.7 | 402 | 8.4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | −6 | −6 | 0 | 97.7 |
| 2008 | IND | 1 | 0 | 25 | 42 | 59.5 | 310 | 7.4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 | −1 | 0 | 90.4 |
| 2009 | IND | 3 | 2 | 87 | 128 | 68.0 | 956 | 7.5 | 6 | 2 | 3 | -2 | −0.6 | 0 | 99.0 |
| 2010 | IND | 1 | 0 | 18 | 26 | 69.2 | 225 | 8.7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 108.7 |
| Career | 19 | 9 | 718 | 453 | 63.1 | 5,389 | 7.5 | 29 | 19 | 23 | 26 | 1.1 | 3 | 88.4 | |
Position on passing statistics leaderboards
Manning is currently on pace to break the career records in many major statistical categories for a quarterback, including most career passing touchdowns, most career completions, and most career passing yards. Manning is currently ranked in the top five in all of these categories:- Touchdown Passes: 399 (3rd)
- Passes Completed: 4,682 (3rd)
- Passing Yards: 54,828 (3rd)
- Completion Percentage: 64.9% (4th)
(Updated January 3, 2011)
See also
- List of NFL first overall draft choices
- List of NFL passing completions leaders
- List of NFL passing touchdowns leaders
- List of NFL passing yardage leaders
- List of NFL consecutive starts by a quarterbackMost consecutive starts by a quarterback (NFL)This is a list of the most consecutive starts by a quarterback in the NFL. Only six quarterbacks in NFL history have been able to achieve regular season streaks of at least 100 games, with only two of those with a regular season streak of at least 200 games....
- List of NFL players with at least 200 consecutive starts
- List of NFL starting quarterback winsMost wins by a starting quarterback (NFL)In the National Football League the quarterback is the only position player to be credited with a record of wins and losses as a starter. At the time of the 1970 NFL-AFL merger, Johnny Unitas held the record for most regular season wins as a starting quarterback with 103. He retired after the 1973...
- List of NFL starting quarterback playoff recordsNFL QB Playoff records as startersThe first NFL playoff game was the 1933 NFL Championship Game between the Chicago Bears and New York Giants. Since then there have been a total of 471 NFL playoff games including games from the AFL, but not the AAFC...
- List of 300-yard passing games by NFL quarterbacks
- List of NFL quarterbacks who have passed for 400 or more yards in a game
- List of NFL quarterbacks who have posted a perfect passer rating
- List of quarterbacks with multiple Super Bowl starts
- List of gridiron football quarterbacks passing statistics