JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Peyton Manning asked his coaches at halftime if they had any suggestions for him. All he got was, “You haven’t thrown any incompletions. Just try to keep doing what you’re doing.”
Great tip.
Manning was nearly perfect all night, exactly what the Indianapolis Colts needed to overcome whatever emotion the Jacksonville Jaguars got from Richard Collier’s return.
Manning completed his first 17 passes, picked apart Jacksonville’s secondary and led the Colts to their eighth consecutive win and seventh straight playoff berth. He finished 29-for-34 and threw for 364 yards and three touchdowns, and the Colts secured the No. 5 seed in the AFC playoffs with a 31-24 victory over the Jaguars on Thursday night.
“Peyton Manning is unbelievable,” coach Tony Dungy said. “He put a lot of it on his shoulders and kept us in it. He played unbelievably under the circumstances.
“All in all, with everything that was riding on it ... it was a great performance. It was an MVP performance for sure.”
Manning led the Colts back from deficits of 14-0 and 24-14, and Adam Vinatieri’s 45-yard field goal tied the game at 24-all late in the fourth.
Indianapolis (11-4) took the lead for good when Keiwan Ratliff intercepted a pass from David Garrard and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown with 4:48 remaining.
“One of those plays I was in the right place at the right time,” Ratliff said. “He threw the ball and I just caught it and tried to get to the end zone.”
The Jaguars had two chances to tie it, but both drives ended with sacks. Garrard drove Jacksonville to the 7-yard line with 29 seconds remaining, but Maurice Jones-Drew sprained his knee on a reception, and since the Jaguars had no timeouts, there was a 10-second runoff.
Garrard misfired on first down, then got sacked by Dwight Freeney to end the game.
“Just can’t take a sack right there,” Garrard said. “I really didn’t see it and have an opportunity to elude that guy. I thought I had guys coming open.”
The Colts won without receiver Marvin Harrison (hamstring), running back Joseph Addai (shoulder) and linebacker Gary Brackett (leg). Dungy said the victory would allow him to rest many starters next week against Tennessee, giving some players as many as 17 days of rest before opening the postseason.
The Jaguars (5-10) lost for the seventh time in the past nine games and fell to 2-6 at home this season. This one may have been more emotionally draining than any of the others.
Collier, a 6-foot-7 offensive linemen paralyzed from the waist down following a shooting in early September, returned to the field for the first time and was recognized during pregame ceremonies. He drove onto the field, sat next to his teammates during the national anthem and then headed to midfield as an honorary team captain for the coin toss.
He answered a few questions afterward, then went to a luxury suite with family members to watch the game. He must have liked Jacksonville’s fast start. The Jaguars scored touchdowns on their first two possessions and led 14-0 early in the second quarter.
Manning spoiled it for Jacksonville. He hurt the Jaguars on nearly every drive, spreading the ball around and throwing pinpoint passes all over the field.
“It’s a funny game,” Manning said. “We were completing some passes, but we were down 14-0. That dominated our thoughts. We knew it would be tough, but we didn’t think we’d be down 14-0 out of the gate.”
Dallas Clark finished with eight catches for 105 yards and a touchdown. Reggie Wayne had seven receptions for 108 yards and a score. Dominic Rhodes, held to 27 yards rushing, was much more dangerous out of the backfield. He caught six passes for 62 yards and a touchdown.
Manning completed his final six passes last week against Detroit and his first 17 against Jacksonville, giving him 23 in a row — the second-longest streak in NFL history. Donovan McNabb set the record of 24 straight in 2004.
“The best thing we did tonight, which was a point of interest, was to finish touchdowns in the red zone,” Manning said. “We got touchdowns and didn’t have to settle for too many field goals.”
Garrard wasn’t nearly as accurate, especially in the second half.
He finished 28-for-41 for 329 yards and a score. He added a rushing touchdown. Jones-Drew ran 20 times for 91 yards and caught seven passes for 71 yards.
Dennis Northcutt, starting for the second straight week in place of Jerry Porter (groin) and Matt Jones (suspension), has another strong game. He caught eight passes for 101 yards and a touchdown — his second consecutive 100-yard game after going nearly four years without one.
It wasn’t enough, especially against Manning and the Colts.
“Peyton Manning is a good quarterback,” Jaguars safety Reggie Nelson said. “He has always been good. That’s what he does.”
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Comments » 81
plzcomebackpeyton writes:
and thats why my name will never be plzcomebackcrompton
newtonrail writes:
How about that Naffy?
Vawlfanpreandpost writes:
Maybe we can get Jack Del Rio when he is fired to help Monte Kiffin coach up the defense. This is gonna be interesting. I have a pretty good feeling that I am going to be torn between the Titans and Colts in the playoffs. I hope they don't face off. I won't know who to pull for????????? It already sucks that they are in the same division.
Vawlfanpreandpost writes:
You should check out Clay Travis's (CBS sportsline) book Dixieland Delight. He goes on a rant about JP/Lincoln Financial Sports and their schotty telecasts of SEC football games (plus he's a Vol fan). It is an interesting read for college football fans. I would recommend it for a Christmas gift. He goes on a road trip to a different SEC game each week. I am reading that and Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer (sorry bama haters). They are both must haves for college football fans. I unfortunately didn't get to watch the game because I haven't bought into the NFL network yet (yet being the key word). I think it is a shame the NFL did that to us. Check out those books, they are good reads and I don't read much. I prefer internet articles and television.
ricks#496953 writes:
Payton Manning + no running game + shoddy defense + team full of injuries + 11-4 record = MVP!!!!!!!!!
NUFF SAID!!!!
GreerVol22 writes:
ricks , gooood point. Think Brady could have done as well with the same team around him? I guess Cassell is answering that for me....
andefromtn#212139 writes:
After the slow start many were doubting Peyton but I knew he simply had to get back into his playing condition and working on the timing with his receivers. He and the other Colts have become better and better as the season has gone along, while the Titans have experienced their first losses of the season. I like both teams but I think if they face off in playoff the Colts are in a better situation to win at this point. They are peaking at the right moment in time. Good luck to both teams.
iowavol writes:
Sorry, Greer, but I lost your point. Do you think Brady is as good as Peyton because Cassell is not doing as well with the same team, or Brady not as good because Cassell is doing just as well with the same team (assuming Pats issues are on defense and not offense)? Just wondering? Agree Manning MVP. I'd love to see Eli and Peyton in the Bowl.
jpmoney writes:
I can understand covering a player while they are playing for the University of Tennessee. But I do not understand why Peyton is so loved. If I was Tee Martin I would disown the Tennessee fans.
coltvol33 writes:
Your comments don't make a lot of sense. It's almost like saying you don't follow your kids any more once they leave home or you don't follow your high school teams once you graduate amd leave. Vols fans are just continuing to follow one of their former players at another level. And the last I heard, Tee isn't playing anywhere in the NFL, so in what sports ways should we be following him? I for one did follow him while he was there.
jpmoney writes:
One question "coltvol33" Were you a Colts fan before Peyton played for them?
GreerVol22 writes:
sorry 'bout that iowa. I meant that Cassell is doing as well as Brady (my opinion) could with the current line up of Pats...leading to the idea that Brady would struggle more than Peyton, if faced with the adversity Peyton has had and is having. Ho! Ho!
volnbig11land writes:
Maybe kns and others will start coverning Tee more if the high school team he helps coach goes national...
Bruce_Pearl_Fan writes:
Actually, they have been and always will be the Nashville Oilers to me. The real Tennessee football team plays on Saturdays in the confines of Neyland Stadium.
Give Peyton MVP #3 and Super Bowl #2.
ctownvol writes:
Looks like naf has a friend. Maybe even another alter-ego....
jpmoney writes:
Sorry to disappoint, but no alter ego here.
volnbig11land writes:
I have been saying the same thing since they moved to Nashville!
mattlock writes:
Lots of people become fans of pro teams by following a particular player. Especially in an area where there aren't any pro teams. Your question is really pointless. . .
volnbig11land writes:
Well said!
GreerVol22 writes:
jp, not loving Peyton is akin to spittin' on the General's grave....you just don't do it son.
seriously, Peyton is a well spoken, advocate and supporter of the university who works harder and smarter to improve his game and that of those around him. Tee....well...right place right time...but never worked hard enough to improve his game form the next level.
jpmoney writes:
First off I am not your son. Please read my posts, it seems you are not able to understand what I said. I never mentioned Peytons personality or loyalty to the program. I was asking why people have a love affair with the pro player.
jpmoney writes:
Oh yeah and comparing Peyton to Neyland is like comparing apples and oranges.
ctownvol writes:
That's certainly good news for you.
knoxtenor writes:
We love to keep track of former Vols... that is, the ones that are doing well and aren't being sued for child support or have a consistent record of controlled substance abuse or DUI and/or assault, or the ones that aren't on steroids or making trouble for their team and/or community. Sadly, when you include those types of criteria, the list dwindles significantly. All Peyton's ever done is get frustrated with his teammates on the sideline in the heat of battle, but he's never taken that to the media like some NFL players, some of whom played for other in-state teams.
Thank goodness little Vol/SEC wannabes--heck, kids everywhere--have the two Mannings to look to as role models. The only press either of them ever gets is when they're on the field (good or bad) or when they've made big donations to charity. It would be great--and don't you think the NFL would just eat this up?!--if they ended up against each other in the Super Bowl. There was huge enough hype when they met during the regular season last (?) year.
There's a long time between now and February, though, so I'm not holding my breath. Ironic that both teams are playing pivotal games this week. Indy proved their mettle last night; let's see how Eli and the boys do against the Steelers.
vol88 writes:
Funny!
Love ya Peyton, but go Titans!!
jpmoney writes:
As soon as Eric Berry gets drafted to a NFL team I am going to go buy a jersey and deck my car out with the respected teams logo.
I mean he was the best that ever played at UT, right?
Vol_in_Mich writes:
I still have a Tennessee Oilers tee shirt & a New York Titans pennant (collectors items?)
Go VOLS!!!
SomeGuy writes:
NFL Network, JP/Lincoln Financial Sports, et al are all infinitely better than even 5 minutes of listening to Brent Furburger on ABC. That guy is a human miracle cure for insomnia.
dlobh writes:
What is it with people like you? Once they leave UT, a Vol fan should not follow their career? If Tee was playing, most Vol fans would be rooting for him too. Don't you follow Jason Witten's or Jerod Mayo's or John Henderson's or Albert Haynesworth's career with some interest because they're former Vols? Definitely doesn't make me a fan of the Cowboys or Patriots. But they're former Vols. Most Tennessee fans root for current AND former players.
Colliervol writes:
Maybe because he is a first class act unlike so many other pro players and a great representative of this university. And maybe because he contributes so much back to the university and the city of Knoxville.
And that's not even getting to the fact that he will be in the NFL Hall of Fame one day. How many of those has UT had?
Colliervol writes:
I told you there was that .1% out there that agreed with Naffy. Here he is Naf. Enjoy.
jpmoney writes:
Once again putting words in my mouth. I support every vol in the NFL. Do I go out and buy their fat head and jersey's no!!
jpmoney writes:
You are going to have to fill me in on who Naffy is.
NO_DIGGITY writes:
Peyton will join fellow Vols Doug Atkins and Reggie White in the NFL Hall of Fame.
GreerVol22 writes:
collier, JP isn't worth your time. No sense of humor or reality.
dlobh writes:
Then your last statement in your original post in this blog is moot, as has been pointed out by others: "If I was Tee Martin I would disown the Tennessee fans". Tee Martin is not playing in the NFL now. Didn't put words in your mouth that time . . .
woody45#537767 writes:
I disagree about Brent "Furburger". Verne Lundquist is the absolute worst when it comes to calling a ballgame. He's so bad you'll hope that you can sleep until the game's over so you can read about the game in the next day's newspaper.
Colliervol writes:
If you aren't his 6th reincarnation, you can recognize him by his severe dislike of Peyton Manning and any Caucasian player that ever played at UT. Easy to spot.
By the way, did my explanation tell you why people (and all those Manhattan ad agencies) like Peyton Manning so much?
OrangeAppeal writes:
You, son (not mine, thank goodness -- just referencing your juvenile thought process), are NaffyJunior or SpawnOfNaffy.
Your moniker doesn't really fit you. Good luck on getting any money. With your logic, the only way you'll ever be successful is to steal it.
Colliervol writes:
Exactly. I was too young for Doug Atkins but I can assure you that Reggie White was revered by Vol fans after he left Knoxville. And he still is.
Colliervol writes:
Berry may be the best DB to ever play at UT and I'll root for him too with whatever team he's with. We'll have to see how he progresses in his pro career. I'd also like to see how much he contributes back to the university after he leaves. Then we can judge his overall contribution to the school.
By the way, every comment you make sounds more and more like Naffy. Starting to get suspicious.
ctownvol writes:
So now you post back and forth with your alter-egos? Everybody on here knows what you're up to.
govols81 writes:
I'm just curious as to how one is supposed to choose an allegiance to an NFL team. When you don't have a passion for NFL football before '98 and then you just want to see one of our's succeed you begin to develop that passion. I tried to become a Redskin fan prior to Peyton's entrance and that didn't work out.
Colliervol writes:
Naffy, I was always told that talking to yourself isn't a big problem. It's when you answer yourself that it becomes one. You appear to be having one of those conversations.
By the way, Travis Henry and Jamal Lewis have absolutely been great representatives for UT. LMAO. Why do you continue to embarrass yourself? You must have a big masochistic tendency.
jimr07 writes:
but you aren't tee martin. he had one good year. right?
jimr07 writes:
because he is great and a former vol. why is that hard for you to understand? or you just don't want to.
jimr07 writes:
i see that you attended the moron convention with naffy. you two should get along well.
Colliervol writes:
Jim, it looks to me like he's conversing with himself. That's when you start to worry.
jimr07 writes:
no one has anything negative about berry. he is going to do down as at least one of the greatest. i support that for sure. i hope he has as an outstanding nfl career as mr. manning
jpmoney writes:
That pimple won YOUR team a NC!
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