Peyton wins Manning Bowl II in blowout
Eli Manning probably had flashbacks to when he was a little kid getting beat up by his big brother. Only this time it was in primetime.
The Manning Bowl II failed to live up to expectations Sunday night, as the Colts romped to a 38-14 win that was never really in doubt. The Colts avoided opening the season 0-2 at home with a flawless performance on both sides of the ball, completely outclassing
the visiting Giants.
This game could have been about two teams trying to get over the disappointments of last season, or Indy trying to avoid going 0-2, or the Giants trying to get to 2-0, but it was all about the Mannings.
After the obligatory family photos and home videos were trotted out, it was Peyton who won the battle of the Mannings at quarterback. The four-time league MVP was surgical in the passing game, finishing with just six incompletions, 255 yards and three touchdowns.
At one point Peyton dictated a substitution to get the right matchup. This guy's mastery of his offense is starting to border on the absurd.
All the usual suspects were involved heavily in the offense. Reggie Wayne had seven catches for 96 yards and a TD, Dallas Clark, five catches for 83 yards and a TD, Joseph Addai, 20 carries, 92 yards. If it feels repetitive, that's because it was. The
Colts offense was a well-oiled machine.
The defense wasn't too bad either. Eli Manning's stat line for the game was modest: 13/24, 161 yards, two touchdowns, one interception. Given what he was up against, that's not that bad. Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis put on a clinic in rushing the quarterback,
finishing with two sacks apiece.
Even when the pressure didn't get to Eli, which was rare, the Colts secondary was nearly perfect, giving up one big play, a 54-yard touchdown pass from Manning to Manningham in the third quarter, which made it 24-7.
Eli and the Giants never got going in this one, and could have no complaints over the scoreline.
"We couldn't get into a rhythm," said Eli. "The whole first half, when you can't get first downs, it's hard as an offense to get into all your plays and your calls, and a lot of three-and-outs.
"They outplayed us, and that's what it came down to."
Thankfully for the younger Manning, there was plenty of support from him family after a difficult night at the office. Mom and Dad were on the field to give him a hug after the game.
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