This afternoon was a game Colts fans aren’t use to seeing…Peyton Manning struggling. Today, Manning was off target, under-throwing, over-throwing the football which was very un-Manning like. Through the first 6 games of the season, he appeared to be on his way to his 4th NFL MVP award. He appeared on his way to have a season better than any previous one. While he did have over 300 yards passing for the 6th game, he looked uncomfortable and hurried.
Coming into the game, Peyton Manning had only been sacked twice in six games. Today, 3 sacks. And that was with a replacement right end playing for the 49ers after their veteran starter went out with an injury on the first play of the game. With the lack of a quality running game, Manning passed 48 times, completing just 31 of them. So far through the season, he has been on point completing over 73 percent of his passes…but not today.
Luckily for the Colts, the 49ers were not able to capitalize on Manning being human today. The defense had a huge role in doing so. Although they gave up a 64-yard TD to Frank Gore 4 minutes into the first quarter, they were able to hold him to just 27yds thereafter on 12 carries (wasn’t it Bob Sanders who was suppose to come in, save the day and not allow big runs like that). The passing game was very non-existent. We even saw once again a pair of rookies step up at defensive back. Jacob Lacey was called upon, as was Jerraud Powers who both did a fantastic job.
This was very boring game from a fan standpoint. There were no huge plays, nothing for fans to be excited about. The one highlight of the game came on the first play of the 4th quarter when RB Joseph Addai threw his first touchdown pass to WR Reggie Wayne. Surprising to see Addai with a TD pass, and Manning with none. Manning certainly had his chances, especially early in the contest missing on Garcon and Wayne on deep patterns. More than anything, this was a game against a unfamiliar opponent. The Colts will regroup to take on a very talented AFC South rival of the Houston Texas for their 2nd of 3 straight home games at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Also, congratulations to Colts head coach Jim Caldwell who today became the first rookie head coach since Potsy Clark of the 1931 Portsmouth Spartans to start the season 7-0.