There seems to be a lot of discussion whether or not Manning choked. So lets make it an official discussion.
Like I said before, I don't like to use the word choked in the SB, but let's just go along with it anyways. The more I think about it, there is no way you can really say this games loss rests mostly on Peyton's shoulders. To say he choked is just wrong IMO.
The guy put up exactly 161 yards in the 4th quarter. He completed 15 of his 24 passes in the quarter. He put his team in field goal range in all 3 of his possessions while at the same time taking time off the clock (which would hurt him in the long run). If Stover makes a 51 yard field goal, which a kicker of his calibre should due after the success he had this year, the Colts would have had a 20-16 lead. Now, if New Orleans goes downfield and scores like they did, the likeliness of the Saints going for a 2 point conversion is probably less then 5%. That would make it a single 3 point game. Then, Manning comes back onto the field. This is the drive that seems to have tarnished his legacy in the eyes of many. But would the play selection had been different considering they were only down a field goal? Would they have chosen another play on the 3rd down? Very high chance since they were in field goal range. Now I think Manning should have done a better job protecting the ball in that situation, of course he deserves some of the blame, if not the majority. But we still cannot be sure that Wayne did not screw up by cutting his route in late. It was also a fantastic play by Porter. More of a great play then a mistake IMO.
The games blame takes a majority of the toll on the receivers in my opinion. Wayne could have made the catch on the final play of the game to give them another chance. Garcon should have made the reception for a touchdown, other drops all around, a receiver muffed the onside kick (which changed the entire game IMO), and they just didn't get a lot of separation. Then I feel Stover takes the blame. Cannot miss that kick. As the situation above showed, it changes the whole situation. The Manning and the defense share the rest. The defense let the Saints drive all second half, despite doing a good enough job to stop them in the first. Cant collapse like that. Mind you it was against the Saints. Then Manning strictly for the pick. Other then the pick, the guy had a good game and even put his team in a position to win. As one of the best of all time, he probably should have done a better job. But he did make a mistake. But I can't exactly call it a flat out choke.
