Manning isn't as effective playing from behind
Manning isn't as effective playing from behind
January 8, 2013, 2:45 pm
Jackson: Ravens must keep Manning off the field
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) gestures during the game against the Oakland Raiders at the O.co Coliseum. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 26-13.
(Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports)
Beating Peyton Manning is easier said than done, but even though he has the Denver Broncos on an 11-game winning streak in his first season with the team the pattern hasn’t changed.
When Manning has to play from behind, he’s vulnerable. Give him a lead and usually the opponent, in this case the Ravens on Saturday in a divisional playoff game, doesn’t have a prayer.
The Broncos took a 17-3 lead at the Ravens in Week 15 and easily won 34-17. Manning only threw for 204 yards and 1 TD, but the Broncos dominated the ball as they held it 39 minutes
In the Broncos’ three losses this season, there were common threads that have persisted throughout Manning's career:
-- In a 27-21 loss at the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2: Manning threw three first-half interceptions as the Broncos fell behind 20-7 at halftime and couldn’t recover. Falcons QB Matt Ryan only threw for 219 yards and Michael Turner led all rushers with 42 for his team. Manning was sacked 3 times, hit 6 and lost the time-of-possession battle 33 minutes to 27.
-- In a 31-25 loss vs. the Houston Texans in Week 3: Manning didn’t throw any interceptions as they took a 5-0 first-quarter lead, but the Texans went ahead 21-11 by halftime. Manning threw the ball 52 times –- 22 more attempts than counterpart Matt Schaub who had 4 TDs. Manning was sacked 3 times and hit 6 and lost the possession battle 32-28.
-- In a 31-21 loss at the New England Patriots in Week 5: Manning again didn’t throw an interception, but he had to throw 44 times because his team committed 3 turnovers. He fumbled on a sack. QB Tom Brady got his team to a 17-7 halftime lead and dominated possession with 36 minutes as RB Stevan Ridley had a career-high 151 yards rushing. Manning was sacked twice and hit 5 times.
Even when Manning was leading the Indianapolis Colts, the formula to beating him was similar. In a 2004 AFC title game loss to the Patriots 24-14, he was sacked 4 times and threw 4 interceptions. He lost the possession battle as the Colts held the ball 28 minutes vs. 32.
In a division playoff game the next season, Manning’s Colts fell to the Patriots 20-3. He only had 1 interception but they had 3 turnovers as he had to throw 42 times. Manning trailed 13-3 in the third quarter. The Patriots held the ball 38 minutes.
