Peyton Manning’s Value Pronounced During Absence

The constant criticism surrounding Peyton Manning was never about his inability to accumulate otherworldly numbers – look no further than at his 54,800 career passing yards (fourth all time), 399 career touchdown passes (third all time), and record four NFL MVP awards. The chief criticism – separating him from Tom Brady and Joe Montana as among the best ever – was that he couldn’t win more in the postseason. Despite his extraordinary numbers, Manning has won only one Super Bowl (and garnered a Super Bowl MVP).

This season, however, has diminished that argument. And, rather, it has proven Manning’s unprecedented historical value.

When Manning underwent potential season-ending neck surgery on September 8, it forced his Indianapolis Colts to enter the current season without their franchise quarterback and fearless leader for the first time since 1997 (aka when President Clinton was in just the second year of his second term).  

To say the Colts are missing Manning’s absence would be an understatement.

Entering week seven, the Colts’ offense ranked 21st in passing, 24th overall. Behind Manning, the Colts had a top 10 offense in each season since 2001, except for the 2008 season (coincidentally, the season in which he won his third MVP). In passing, the Colts never ranked worse than sixth NFL-wide since 2001.

The drop-off in offensive stats and on-field leadership have directly reflected in the Colts’ inability to win.  

With a 0-6 record entering week seven, the Colts are just one of three winless teams in the NFL, alongside the St. Louis Rams and the Miami Dolphins. And it’s been awhile since the Colts have endured such losing – specifically, 13 years.

Behind Manning, the Colts never started a season worse than 0-4 – and that occurred only in his 1998 rookie season. In fact, as the starting quarterback (1998-2010), Manning’s Colts had just two seasons where they finished under .500 – his rookie and the 2001 seasons.

Not only did Manning make the Colts competitive, but they won consistently. Manning’s Colts won at least 10 games in each season since 2002, making the playoffs each year – which included two Super Bowl appearances and three AFC Championship games. 2011 will most certainly break that remarkable streak.

With the Colts on the fast-track to the first or top-three picks in the 2012 NFL Draft, the debate will soon surround whether the franchise opts to select a quarterback (cough, Andrew Luck, cough) and officially begin the transition to the post-Manning era. His physical recovery will go a long way in determining their direction (that and his recently finalized five-year, $90-million contract).

Whichever path the Colts pursue, one thing is certain: Manning’s value keeps rising. Especially when he doesn’t play.

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