The Birth of a Rivalry

1/21/07

The game was preposterous, miraculous, epic, immaculate, chocked full of key plays not to mention an ending befitting of the hype it received. However, before the event itself, there was the preamble. By now you should know their stories. They were two players who entered the NFL two seasons apart as polar opposites and became star-crossed rivals.

One was the #1 NFL’s 1998 overall draft pick in, the other an unheralded 6^th round pick in 2000. One was expected to contribute almost immediately, and the other wasn’t supposed to last through his first NFL training camp. But he did, and almost two years later after an injury to starter Drew Bledsoe, he was a Super Bowl MVP. His is Tom Brady and since then he’s only further distinguished himself as one of the greatest postseason quarterbacks in NFL history by winning his first 12 playoff games and collecting two more championships.

In contrast, Peyton Manning, during the regular season has been one of the great statistical quarterbacks in NFL history—during the regular season. While Manning has compiled eye-popping regular season statistics Brady has at his best in the playoffs. The criticism has always been there. Despite incredible numbers and numerous NCAA and SEC passing records his quest for a national championship at Tennessee ended in futility as his Vols were halted year after year. The following season his former backup Tee Martin led the Tennessee Vols to the 1999 national championship. Though he possessed undeniable talent, critics began to knock Manning for his big game letdowns. In college he could not defeat the Florida Gators and in the National Football League the New England Patriots became the newest bane of his existence. As he lost his first six match-ups against them, the criticism even extended to his head coaches Tony Dungy, and Jim “Playoffs!” Mora who were perceived as coaches who could not win the big games.

In a game that produced so many memorable moments, it started like so many had for Peyton Manning in the playoffs. First, the Colts and Patriots played a proverbial game of hot potato which resulted in the Patriots first score of the game by offensive lineman Logan Mankins. 7-0. The Colts then proceeded to drive down the field and kick a FG.7-3. Patriots respond immediately by emphatically driving 72 yards into the end zone. 14-3.

On the following drive the Patriots would jump out to an early 21-3 lead after Manning’s pass for Marvin Harrison was intercepted and returned for a touchdown by cornerback Asante Samuel. The pick tied Samuels with Willie Brown for the most career playoff interception touchdown returns (another one of those obscure records. Thanks ESPN!). Colts drive down to their own 8 yard line resulting in another… FG. At this point The Colts had not scored a touchdown in over 102 minutes. 21-6.

Halftime arrived and slowly I began to notice a hint of what the critics saw all of this time. I began noticing his jitteriness in the pocket, as opposed to Brady who was calm, collected and patience delivering his passes. For the first time I found doubt in Peyton Manning creeping into my head! Following the Colts next two drives including their improbable 2 point conversion, the Colts finally tied it up at 21-21 and my doubts disappeared.

On the ensuing drive Brady once again engineered a potentially heartbreaking drive culminating in the most daring 3^rd down play I’ve seen in 25 years. Jabar Gaffney’s acrobatic tightrope catch in the back of the end zone was “eerily” reminiscent of “The Catch” between Joe Montana and Dwight Clark. After I watched Brady avoid the rush, loft the ball towards the moon only to observe Gaffney grab it with one hand and land one foot in the end zone through perfect coverage, I honestly believed Belichick must have struck a deal with the devil. I can’t be the only one who doesn’t understand the "he would've landed in bounds, but since he was shoved out, we'll give him the catch" rule? That's like saying in baseball, "it would've been a homerun but since the outfielder jumped the fence and snagged it, we'll count it as a home run." But I digress…

After going back and forth in the final quarter the Colts were now down by just a field goal. 31-34. on the final drive, the collective hearts of Indy fans everywhere skipped a beat after Reggie Wayne fumbled the ball into the air between three Patriot defenders only to catch it again. How the defender never pulled Wayne will forever be a mystery. In his best John Elway impersonation, Manning led the Colts on an 80 yard touchdown drive to give Indianapolis a permanent 38-34 lead. With the win, Manning was now free of his Belichick bondage.

Interestingly, with the “most clutch qb in NFL playoff history” on one side and the “greatest clutch kicker” in NFL history finally on his sideline, Manning was ultimately the final difference maker. Similar to the Red Sox vanquishing the Curse of the Bambino en route to their first World Series championship in 86 years, it was fitting for Manning to finally reach the Super Bowl by ridding the Colts of the Curse of Belichick. The now question has to arise; does Manning now have Brady’s number and has Tony Dungy’s Colts finally gotten into the heads of Belichick and the Patriots?

In an era of professional sports where rivalries are almost non-existent because of free agency Patriots versus Colts is the last of a dying breed.

In the end the game did something besides hush the Peyton Manning critics. It made me truly appreciate Brady as the Magic Johnson to Peyton Manning’s Larry Bird. Brady provides a challenge for Manning that could not be fulfilled by anyone else. Someday they will retire and when they do they should do so the same way they’ll be remembered—together.

In two weeks Manning can officially exorcise his remaining demons; however, by finally defeating the Patriots in a game of significance, the Colts ended the Patriots dynasty by finally creating a true rivalry.

--DJ Dunson