Home > Indianapolis Colts flatter to deceive with underachievement in post-season play

Indianapolis Colts flatter to deceive with underachievement in post-season play

If they handed out trophies in November, the current Colts team would be one of the most fabled of all time. Instead they and Peyton Manning in particular have a reputation that isn't as kind.

by David Wiseman on 19 November 2006

Email this Article (3) Comments

50%

Peyton Manning gettyimages.com

Related Bet:

Free £10 bet when you register at

Submit this article to Punditit

Normally a 9-0 start to the year would be much cause for celebration but not when it comes to the Indianapolis Colts. They have made a recent art-form out of having a spectacular regular season and following that up with an even more spectacular collapse in the play-offs.

Over the last seven seasons they went 77-32 but over that time they only have a 3-6 record in the postseason. No Super Bowl appearances and just one conference game over this span. A pretty poor record when you consider how dominant they have been over this period.

Peyton Manning and the Colts maybe breaking records and amassing statistics at will but as it stands it all counts for naught. The game is played for no other reason than to win championships and as long as they column stays blank none of the records will mean anything. Manning would be the first to tell you that just like Dan Marino before him could tell you. Marino may hold or held every meaningful NFL passing record but Joe Montana has the rings.

Manning would be all too aware how the perception of John Elway changed after he led the Denver Broncos to successive Super Bowl victories in the late 1990s. Three early Super Bowl losses in his career hung round his neck like an albatross and it was only victory in the championship game which could save him. You're a long time retired and it's even longer when you're constantly reminded about what you didn't achieve.

The irony about Manning is not that he hasn't played in a winning Super Bowl team but that he hasn't even played in a Super Bowl at all. At 30 years of age, his days in the NFL are fast running out and he may only get one chance at a ring. He would trade every one of those records for that chance.

The only time staying undefeated means something is in the playoffs.

Comments (3)

by Tarik on November 19, 2006

Peyton has been one of the most effective QBs in the NFL over the last few seasons. The questions is why has he not been picked off by one of the more solid teams that have more experience in actually getting to the Superbowl. Can you explain why he has stayed put in Indianapolis who are perpetual underachievers.

by Hadyn on November 19, 2006

Tarik said: "Can you explain why [QB Peyton Manning] has stayed put in Indianapolis who are perpetual underachievers." Money is a good one. But I would also say that the Colts are a team that always seems like it is going to the Superbowl. Who is to say that Peyton would fair any better in another team? And which team would he go to? Chasing titles doesn't always work either, remember Carl Malone leaving the Jazz to go to the Lakers? There are planty of players in the Hall of Fame who haven't won a Superbowl. For me, at least (and I understand why people would disagree) a great player is one who goes out every Sunday (and some Mondays) and plays himself into the ground for their team no matter what their record is.

by gvark on November 27, 2006

Is it really true that the ring gets you among the elite. Well to some extent it is, the guys we remember today are mostly SB winners. Then there are some, where you're not sure whether they won a SB or not, because they are more known for a record, or an achievement. Marino will always be No. 2 behind Montana, but he'll always be mentioned ahead of Elway from that era. Getting a ring in the nfl is tougher than in any other sport because of the playoffs being a one game and you're done thing.