A quarterback with 11 interceptions — four returned for touchdowns — during a three-game losing streak would usually cause a team to at least think about making a change under center. That is unless that dismal play caller is future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning. The Colts’ 34-year-old is beloved by just about everyone. He ranked eighth on NFL Network’s top 100 greatest players and earned the fifth spot according to fans. His commercials make us laugh and his articulate post-game interviews make us believe he is the most cerebral player to ever step on the gridiron.
It all adds up to preferential treatment during the worst stretch in Manning’s 13-year career. He took the blame for Indianapolis’ overtime loss to the Cowboys on Sunday, but many supporters of the 6-foot-5 quarterback with a laser-rocket arm have pointed to injuries at wide receiver and a lack of a run game as to the reasons for his struggles.
No other quarterback in the league, aside from maybe Tom Brady, would have this kind of response to a stretch like this.
Brett Favre owns just about every NFL passing record, but the Tarvaris Jackson fan club seems to be growing on a weekly basis. Donovan McNabb has made five conference title games in his career, two more than Manning, but that didn’t stop him from getting benched for the final two minutes during a Week 8 loss to the Lions.
During his record-setting seasons — and now in the lowest point of his career — Manning is in a league of his own.
– Jeffrey Tomik
