SUPER STREAK: Officially, this one doesn't count. But how can the most rewarding streak of Manning's career not make the list? The streak ran from Dec. 31, 2006, through Oct. 28, 2007,Anthony Chickillo Jersey,and might have been the most improbable streak. Manning will never forget it. After struggling against the run all season and giving up 375 yards on the ground to Jacksonville in December, the Colts won their regular-season finale to earn the third seed in the playoffs, then suddenly figured out how to play defense. They shut down Larry Johnson in a wild-card game, won a touchdown-less game in Baltimore and then rallied to beat New England. Part One of the streak ended with Manning's MVP performance against Chicago in the Super Bowl. Indy opened the next season 7-0, but that was just gravy.
SURPRISE PARTY: In 1999, the Colts were coming off of two straight 3-13 seasons. Nobody expected Indy to make the playoffs. After starting 2-2, Manning, Edgerrin James and Marvin Harrison put it all together. The Colts reeled off 11 straight wins to claim their first AFC East title since 1987. The 10-game improvement from '98 to '99 remains the biggest one-season turnaround in league history, matched only by Miami in 2008. |
