In Part III of Bullseye Event Group’s Manning Memories series, we take a look at Peyton Manning’s top three moments as a member of the Indianapolis Colts: breaking an “unbreakable” record, completing an epic comeback, and a world championship.
3) Single-season passing touchdowns record
In 2004 against the San Diego Chargers, Peyton Manning threw a touchdown pass over the middle to Brandon Stokely to record his 49th touchdown pass of the regular season, breaking Dan Marino’s longstanding record of 48. Relive the moment:
For those of you who want to relive all 49 touchdowns of Manning’s record breaking year, you can find that video here.
2) Super Bowl XLI victory over Chicago Bears
While most would argue that Manning’s Super Bowl XLI victory might be the greatest moment in Indianapolis Colts history, The Colt’s 29-17 victory over the Chicago Bears in February of 2007 might be considered more of a 1A type option.
The Colts’ first world championship came on February 4, 2007 as the Colts defeated the NFC Champion Chicago Bears 29-17. Manning ended the game with 247 yards, one touchdown and one interception, and collected his first Super Bowl MVP trophy. Relive the Super Bowl XLI highlights by clicking here.
1) 2006 AFC Championship Game
Considered by many to be the “Super Bowl” for Indianapolis in the 2006 season, the Indianapolis Colts completed a comeback of epic proportions against their nemesis, the New England Patriots, to advance to Super Bowl XLI and their eventual first world championship.
Trailing 21-3 at half time, it seemed all but a foregone conclusion that the New England Patriots would be headed for yet another AFC Championship victory over the Colts. But in the second half, Manning and the Colts offense led an all-out attack on the Patriots defense, capping off the comeback with a Joseph Addai run at the goal line to put the Colts ahead 38-34, and the eventual victory.
Manning ended the AFC Championship with 349 yards and one touchdown, but the biggest relief of Manning’s career; finally beating the New England Patriots in a clutch performance.
It’s no surprise that with all of these great memories in Indianapolis, Manning will be heading back for a farewell press conference with the Colts sometime in the near future. The son of a basketball town was able to turn Indianapolis into a city of “football evangelists,” as he put it. And for that, we speak for all of Indianapolis when we say “thank you, Peyton,” for fourteen magical years in the circle city.
If you’re missing Colts football like we are, check out the Colts VIP Tailgate and relive the season that was!