Myth about Colts defense

[GoVols27]

I looked into some stats about the Colts in postseason. People try and pin the losses on the defense, saying how Manning can't do it all. the numbers suggest the exact opposite--it's the offense that falters in big games.

Here is a list of QBs, current and all-time greats, to compare with Manning. I looked at how many postseason games the team has scored over 20 pts.

Games with 21pts or more / with 20pts or less
• Manning - 8/10
• Favre - 16/8
• Warner - 10/3
• Marino - 9/9
• Montana - 17/6
• Elway - 15/7
• Bart Starr - 7/3
• Steve Young - 12/8
• Drew Brees - 4/2
• Terry Bradshaw - 13/6
• Tom Brady - 11/7
• Troy Aikmen - 12/4
• Donovan McNabb - 10/6
• Philip Rivers - 4/3
* Ben Roethlisberger - 9/1

Shockingly, Manning is the only QB on the list who's offense is batting less than 50%. Also consider his numbers in the regular season and the change in rules to make offenses more explosive--and that all his contemporaries in the AFC are better than him. Marino is the next worst. Add in the 3td/7int performance during their Superbowl year, and it's hard to argue he's better than most the other QBs mentioned above.

[volfanjustin]

Originally Posted by GoVols27

I looked into some stats about the Colts in postseason. People try and pin the losses on the defense, saying how Manning can't do it all. the numbers suggest the exact opposite--it's the offense that falters in big games.

Here is a list of QBs, current and all-time greats, to compare with Manning. I looked at how many postseason games the team has scored over 20 pts.

Games with 21pts or more / with 20pts or less
• Manning - 8/10
• Favre - 16/8
• Warner - 10/3
• Marino - 9/9
• Montana - 17/6
• Elway - 15/7
• Bart Starr - 7/3
• Steve Young - 12/8
• Drew Brees - 4/2
• Terry Bradshaw - 13/6
• Tom Brady - 11/7
• Troy Aikmen - 12/4
• Donovan McNabb - 10/6
• Philip Rivers - 4/3
* Ben Roethlisberger - 9/1

Shockingly, Manning is the only QB on the list who's offense is batting less than 50%. Also consider his numbers in the regular season and the change in rules to make offenses more explosive--and that all his contemporaries in the AFC are better than him. Marino is the next worst. Add in the 3td/7int performance during their Superbowl year, and it's hard to argue he's better than most the other QBs mentioned above.

No one has ever said that every game is on the defense. Every game ever played is won as a team and lost by a team. No one is responsible for a win or lose in football. The Super Bowl was lost in large part because Freeney could not get pass rush,due to his injury, and our secondary could not cover all of those receivers for such a long period of time. The Colts were well on their way to blowing that game wide open until 2 plays, Garcon dropped that 3rd and 5 and Payton came with the onside kick out of halftime. Sean Payton knew if he kicked that ball and the Colts scored a TD it's 17-6 and possibly game over.

[PowerT83]

he got paid to throw the game.

[tri_vol]

Interesting numbers but one could argue that the defense's inability to get off the field in the 2nd quarter played a key role. The Saints kept the ball out of his hands for most of the biggest portion of the quarter and part of the third.

As for the offense overall, I think Manning's teammates have not been up to the same standard as the ones who played with the qbs on your list. Almost all of those guys had at least one other player on offense who was just as good and explosive.

[BigPapaVol]

Originally Posted by GoVols27

I looked into some stats about the Colts in postseason. People try and pin the losses on the defense, saying how Manning can't do it all. the numbers suggest the exact opposite--it's the offense that falters in big games.

Here is a list of QBs, current and all-time greats, to compare with Manning. I looked at how many postseason games the team has scored over 20 pts.

Games with 21pts or more / with 20pts or less
• Manning - 8/10
• Favre - 16/8
• Warner - 10/3
• Marino - 9/9
• Montana - 17/6
• Elway - 15/7
• Bart Starr - 7/3
• Steve Young - 12/8
• Drew Brees - 4/2
• Terry Bradshaw - 13/6
• Tom Brady - 11/7
• Troy Aikmen - 12/4
• Donovan McNabb - 10/6
• Philip Rivers - 4/3
* Ben Roethlisberger - 9/1

Shockingly, Manning is the only QB on the list who's offense is batting less than 50%. Also consider his numbers in the regular season and the change in rules to make offenses more explosive--and that all his contemporaries in the AFC are better than him. Marino is the next worst. Add in the 3td/7int performance during their Superbowl year, and it's hard to argue he's better than most the other QBs mentioned above.

Nice analysis in a vacuum. However, all of those teams had more than a passing game. I'd submit those Colts have been the worst rushing good team in the history of football. They are easier to scheme, for a good D, than anyone in the league. Passing game is fickle and winter weather treats it poorly. That's why rushing ability is a valued commodity at playoff time. The old formula holds true.
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[ridethelightening]

Is it just me or did you disprove your own argument? Out of 18 games, 10 times the Colts D gave up more than 20.

Peyton is a great qb, there is no debating that. Only thing this loss takes away from him is being considered the best ever. At the end of the day, that doesn't mean a whole lot
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