For all Manning’s prolific numbers, the highest completion percentage in his 10 previous seasons was 67.6 in 2004. So far this season, Manning is completing 70.6 percent of his passes.
That is amazing, especially when you consider the record is 70.55, set by Ken Anderson with the Cincinnati Bengals in 1982.
You would think with that high completion percentage, Manning’s yards per attempt — the number that tells the story on quarterbacks who take chances down the field — might be down. But it’s at 8.1, which is the third-best of Manning’s career.
The man is dialed in.
MVP
Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis. Tony Dungy is gone. Marvin Harrison is gone. Tom Moore goes from offensive coordinator to consultant. Howard Mudd goes from offensive line coach to consultant. Still, nobody beats the Colts. Why? Look no farther than No. 18. I didn’t think it was possible, but Manning is having the best season of a Hall of Fame career. Seven 300-yard games. Sixteen touchdown passes. More than 2,500 yards. Most important: no losses.
This week against New England is a crucial game for the Colts. If they win, they would have a three-game lead over the Patriots for home-field advantage in the playoffs. If they lose, I could see New England gaining home-field advantage over the Colts.
I am going to watch two things on defense for the Colts. Can they stop a good running game without Bob Sanders? If they can’t, teams can play keep-away from Peyton Manning. Also, they have to figure out a way to handle the losses of Marlin Jackson for the season and Kelvin Hayden over the next month.
On offense, they will get Anthony Gonzalez back for December, but I want to see if their running game can get going. They will need it in the playoffs. I would not be surprised to see the Colts lose a couple of games in the second half of the season. Injuries and a tough schedule will take their toll.
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