We’ll see just how great 18 really is
The issue is how badly he needs to win Sunday.
And as luck would have it, for those who like drama, in his way is a brash team with the best defense the NFL can offer.
The Jets’ have not been shy in spewing out their confidence – their 9-7 season record notwithstanding. “Technically,” Colts linebacker Clint Session noted Friday, “you can’t have swagger when you have that many losses.”
But this should be fair enough warning for Indianapolis:
Pro Bowl quarterbacks Manning, Brady, Drew Brees, Philip Rivers and Matt Schaub combined to throw 152 touchdown passes during the regular season.
In six games against the Jets, they threw two, with four interceptions. Into this danger zone, Manning and his cast now wander, which means the famous Indianapolis quarterback will likely need strong support from his defense.
A bare-knuckles day is what the Jets want to win, and what the Colts might have to win. Though as Session mentioned, “If 18 (Manning) put up some points, it’s a whole new ballgame.”
Plus, 18 is at home. Montana, Elway, Brady, Favre and Aikman are 11-2 at home in conference championships. Manning is rightfully mentioned with all the above.
Until they start talking Super Bowls.
That’s part of what Sunday is about.
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