He did it. He finally won the big one. Peyton Manning doesn't have to answer any questions about his legacy anymore. Not that he really needed to win the Super Bowl to prove he was a great quarterback, his name was already going to be etched in Canton anyway. But in order to stop those comparisons to Dan Marino and the other greats who never won a ring, he needed this win. Did he have the game of his life, or even one of the best of his career, to get it? No, but that's why football is a team game, and on Sunday night in a drenched Dolphins Stadium, Peyton's team was clearly the better one.
Say what you will about Rex Grossman but the Bears weren't winning that game with Tom Brady or Drew Brees either. The offense of the Bears might have been atrocious most of the game, but the defense played right into Manning's hands. Instead of pressuring the Colts QB into turnovers, the Bears' signature trademark, they sat back in the Cover 2 guarding against the big play. What they didn't realize is that the Colts' 2 headed rushing monster of Dominick Rhodes and Joseph Addai were just as capable of making that big play, as they scorched the Bears D for a hard-earned 200 yards combined. The yards were not the major story resulting from the Colts' running game, however. The 20 minutes of additional possession favoring the Colts was.
And to think, the game got off to such a spectacular start for the Bears when the amazing Devin Hester (from the U of course) returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown. (Ironically Ted Ginn did the same thing for Ohio State in the BCS Championship game and we all now how that game turned out for the Buckeyes). Bears fans were immediately injected with a shot of confidence when all the experts had picked against them. Unfortunately, a barrage of fumbles, dropped balls, and an ultimate game clinching interception return for a touchdown brought the Chi-town faithful back to earth. The rain may have been a factor, but the Colts were placed at an equal if not greater disadvantage (they play their home games in a cozy dome). The Colts were clearly the better team, and there should be no excuses from the Bears, only vows to work hard in the off-season to get another shot at that big silver trophy.
While Chicago mourns their enigmatic team on Monday, the smaller, less significant NASCAR haven of Indianapolis will celebrate. While the present is as good as it gets, the future is equally bright for these Colts. It sounds like Tony Dungy will be coming back, and unlike last year there are no high priced free agents on the offensive side of the ball to worry about. We all know Peyton Manning won't be satisfied with one ring, not when the golden boy up in Boston has three, and will have these guys ready to play on Sundays next season. For now Indiana should be perfectly content celebrating the state's first NFL Championship, just don't invite me to the parade, 20 degrees is a little too cold for my thin-blood.