Coronation Interruptus

A funny thing happened on the way to coronating Peyton Manning the best QB of all time. Not only did the Colts lose, but his play in the 2nd half - notably his pick six INT and his disastrous timeout at the end of the game - are sure to renew questions about his ability in big games. Or maybe not. Most of the coverage appears to focus on the Saints, Brees, and the Manning angle is on how the loss only prevented him from cementing his all-time legacy.

Funny, cause if Donovan McNabb had a second half like Manning, #5 would be absolutely crucified for blowing the game.

Having watched the game last night, it's hard to recall where it went wrong for the Colts. Their defense was stout - stopping the Saints on a great goal line stand. Really, the defense "only" gave up 24 points to a very high octane offense. Unfortunately, the Colts' high-powered offense could only post 17 points. Amazing.

Manning's stats were very solid and, like I said, I can't really recall the Saints "stopping" Manning much. But how did they only score 17. Certainly part of it was the Saints ball control, gobbling up game time in huge chunks in the 2nd quarter, though the final time of possession was essentially even.

Looking at the drive chart, the Colts had eight drives and only punted twice - and one of those punts came after the Colts took over at their own 1 yard line and were trying to protect the ball and run out the clock on the 2nd quarter. They had 3 scores, a missed FG, the INT, and their last drive that ended on the Saints' 5 yard line. It's hard to argue with a performance that results in 3 scores and should have been four and ends with another drive at the five yard line.

And yet, in crunch time, Manning folded. The INT was terrible, both from a play call point of view - supposedly it is one of the Colts' go-to plays and clearly the Saints and Tracy Porter in particular were looking for it. Manning went to the well once too often. Had they run Wayne on a stop and go, it's a touchdown the other way for the Colts and likely a Manning second super bowl ring.

But the most inexcusable moment of the game for Manning was the timeout he called on their last drive when Addai took it the New Orleans 3 yard line with 1:16 to go. It was the Colts first timeout of the half and it essentially meant the game was over and the Saints would win. For such a supposedly smart "field general" Manning should have known better than to have called the timeout. Indeed, he tried to waive off the call upon second thought  but the refs awarded him his request.

Under two minutes and down by 14 without their full complement of TOs thanks to Manning, the Colts needed a TD and an onside kick recovery - a 10% chance according to league statistics when kicking teams try it in the 4th quarter.

Had Manning not called timeout (and the Colts scored), the Colts would have been able to force a Saints punt (assuming a 3 and out) without needing to recover the onside kick. Admittedly, there would not have been much time left, but the Colts could have gotten the ball back. Without that precious 3rd timeout Manning wasted, the Saints could run out the clock.

Again, INTs happen. But the timeout Manning called was his worst play of the game.