Manning Wins MVP Award

Peyton Manning was named the NFL's Most Valuable player today, which gives him his third MVP award. This past regular season, Manning experienced difficulties in getting the Indianapolis Colts to a 12-4 record. He had surgery in July to remove a bursa sac in his knee. Manning then had to rehab thereafter, forcing him to miss practice time during training camp. The beginning of the regular season didn't go so well for Manning and the Colts either. The Colts started off 3-4, losing their first two home games to the Chicago Bears and the Jacksonville Jaguars. Both teams didn't make the playoffs this season. After their Monday night loss to the Tennessee Titans, the Colts didn't lose another game. They finished the season on a 9 game winning streak. Their record wasn't good enough to win the division however. The Titans finished the season at 13-3, winning the AFC South division. Manning joins New York Jets' quarterback Brett Favre as the only players in NFL history to win the NFL MVP award three times. Manning won the MVP award in 2003, sharing it with quarterback Steve McNair. He also won it in 2004. Manning clearly beat out Miami Dolphins' quarterback Chad Pennington and Atlanta Falcons' running back Michael Turner for the award. Manning clearly deserved the award, as his performance late in the season proved to be the best. After their rocky start, Manning never panicked and just led the Colts to victory in each of the last nine games, while downplaying the severity of his left knee surgery. While Pennington, Turner, and other players played well for their respective teams, no one was more valuable than Manning. The Colts would not be a playoff team without Manning. They are clearly better with him playing effectively.