New York Giants @ Indianapolis Colts (Manning Bowl II)

Game Recap

Coming into Sunday night the Manning Bowl was a game that had the two brothers Peyton and Eli Manning battling against one another for bragging rights in the family. Without a doubt Peyton has been the most successful as far as individual accolades but they each have won a Super Bowl (how many families can say that) so each has had success in the NFL. With Eli and the Giants they are a run first, pass second type team that loves to grind it out and allow the defense to come up big, for the Peyton and the Colts they have always been a pass first, run second offense relying on Peyton and his big arm to out duel the opposing teams. Both have a different style about them, Peyton is the commander of his team and you can see it every time he steps onto the field, it has been like that since his emergence in the league, with Eli it has taken time for him to step into his leadership role with the Giants but he is making progress, no doubt New York is not an easy place to play but he is adapting well. In this game the Colts were looking to bounce back off of a loss to the Houston Texans where they gouged the Colt defense for a huge amount of rushing yards, for the Giants they came off a win against the Carolina Panthers but definitely had many things that needed to be corrected on offense. Now to the game:

In the first quarter the Colts got the scoring started early as Donald Brown had a 7-yard run for a touchdown, the Giants were playing the pass all night and the Colts definitely took advantage of the defensive set, so the score at the end of the first New York 0, Indianapolis 7.

The second quarter was all Indianapolis and the precision passing of Peyton Manning. It all started with a 50-yard touchdown pass from Manning to Clark off a beautiful play action pass, next Vinatieri tacked on a 38-yard field goal and finally right before the half Manning hooked up with Austin Collie for a 3-yard touchdown pass making the score at the half New York 0, Indianapolis 24-0.

In the third quarter the Giants finally got on the board as Eli Manning connected with Mario Manningham for a 54-yard touchdown reception, but the Colts defense was just too much for the Giants offensive line as Mathis and Freeney caused chaos all night. Freeney stripped Manning deep in Giants territory and Moala recovered the fumble and ran in for a 1-yard fumble return touchdown making the score at the end of the third; New York 7, Indianapolis 31.

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In the fourth the Colts kept the ball rolling as Peyton hit Reggie Wayne for a 10-yard touchdown reception and then late in the fourth when the game was out of reach Eli hooked up with Hakeem Nicks for a 31-yard touchdown making the final score; New York 14, Indianapolis 38.

Honestly this game was never in doubt for the Colts, Peyton Manning as he always does was precise and he plain and simply out played the defense. The Giants came out ready to stop the pass by using a number of defensive backs but the Colts were willing to be patient and they ran the ball very effectively.

If the Colts are willing to play this style every game they will be very tough to beat but let’s face it no matter what type of defenses’ that are being called Peyton Manning is the smartest quarterback in the game and it shows every time he steps on the field.

Key Statistics:

New York Giants:

Eli Manning 13 for 24 161 yards 2 touchdowns 1 interception

Ahmad Bradshaw 17 attempts 89 yards 0 touchdowns

Mario Manningham 4 receptions 75 yards 1 touchdown

Indianapolis Colts:

Peyton Manning 20 for 26 255 yards 3 touchdowns 0 interceptions

Joseph Addai 20 attempts 92 yards 0 touchdowns

Donald Brown 16 attempts 69 yards 1 touchdown

Reggie Wayne 7 receptions 96 yards 1 touchdown

Dallas Clark 5 receptions 83 yards 1 touchdown

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By Sam Adams
ProFootball-fans.com Staff Writer