Peyton Manning can't win the big game.

[Nors]

One of the above posters mentioned it...there are plenty of "top-notch" QBs that haven't won it....but I think because Peyton is so stellar during the season that it becomes more noticeable when he doesn't win in the playoffs. I really think the perception is as simple as that.

His biggest mistake is getting owned by superior team in Pats and a far more dominant Conference. Colts are an NFC team he'd have some big wins on his mantle.

Colts D has been very poor in his years there as well.

 

[jem88]

Manning is an incredible quarterback and a lot of his success comes from reading and outsmarting defences (the numerous audibles, etc.) However, the one guy he isn't going to outsmart is Bellichick (maybe Crennel should be mentioned as well.) That's why Bellichick is the greatest coach of the last decade- he's smarter than everyone else.

 

[diehard2294]

I will say that the colts are getting tagged as a team that cant play in bad weather.

 

[Novacek84]

I will say that the colts are getting tagged as a team that cant play in bad weather.

I'd like to agree with you but they played an OT Sunday night game in Denver 2 or 3 years ago in a driving snowstorm and they won the game. I'd say this performance today was more about not taking advantage of the NE weakness in the secondary bad weather or not. I can't figure out why any team that faces NE doesn't throw at Troy Brown every play. He's a WR not a CB, eventually you will make some plays on him.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Then I would submit he can't win the big game.

What bigger game for Indy than the Pats?

The last 2 years there hasn't been any.

 

[Nors]

Maybe if his offensive coordinator & coach called for some passes farther down the field he might have had a chance. I don't care if it was snowing, with the secondary NE is running out there you have to throw the ball deeper downfield and outside the numbers and at least make them make a play. Dinking and dunking in the middle of the field plays right into NE's hands. That's what they wanted Manning to do. Dungy is another one who is too conservative when he plays on the road. (Herm Edwards coached under him at Tampa Bay, FYI) Terrible play calling. That said, I agree that this was a put up or shut up game for Manning and he didn't get it done at all today. I don't wanna here any more about the great Manning until he wins at least an AFC title. At least Marino had the excuse all those years that he had no weapons except for the "Marks Bros." Manning doesn't have that excuse.

They are so good at dropping LB's into coverage, then rushing them later.They moved safeties into corner coverage. Entire plan was to abuse Indy receivers "if" they caught the ball. It worked. In spots Pats were using 2 Dline fronts and a few No lineman looks.

 

[Nors]

I'd like to agree with you but they played an OT Sunday night game in Denver 2 or 3 years ago in a driving snowstorm and they won the game. I'd say this performance today was more about not taking advantage of the NE weakness in the secondary bad weather or not. I can't figure out why any team that faces NE doesn't throw at Troy Brown every play. He's a WR not a CB, eventually you will make some plays on him.

He made several outstanding stops. They did get Stokely to beat him a few times, but it was under crossing patterns that made little to no yards. Brown is a very good cornerback - I've watched him all season. Indy should have vertically stretched field more.

 

[Merlin]

I don't recall his bowl record, but his inability to beat Florida (Tennessee's biggest game every year) had more to do with that label IMO.

Yep, you are right. Couldnt remember what the reason was to be honest with you, just knew there was a reason.

 

[The30YardSlant]

Good evening Michael. Juke told me you were very busy this afternoon.

Yes you need the ball to score.

That would be ideal now wouldnt it....

 

[TruBlueCowboy]

It's very difficult to win when...................7 min left in the 4th and you have had only two possesions in the 2nd half.

It's also difficult to win when you keep running into the best team of the 00's in the Playoffs. Those 49ers and Packers teams in the early 90's were pretty darn good but the Cowboys were just better.