Peyton Manning NFL Most Valuable Player

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning was named the National Football League’s Most Valuable Player today. It was a landslide win as Peyton received 32 votes, well ahead of Miami Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington and Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner, who received four votes each. It was Peyton’s third time to win the NFL’s highest individual honor. Only N.Y. Jets quarterback Brett Favre has won as many league MVP honors. As usual, Peyton had the right words to graciously capture the moment:

“I know it’s an individual award, but … truly, in my opinion, a team award. It’s been the most rewarding regular season that I’ve been a part of in my 11 years, and I have to believe a lot of the other players and even coaches might feel the same way.”

Rewarding is recovering from two operations on his left knee in the preseason. Remember how the Colts’ season and Peyton’s career were in supposed jeopardy? And rewarding is winning nine straight games to qualify for the playoffs after a shaky 3-4 start. The Colts didn’t even win the AFC South this year, something they have become accustomed to doing. That distinction went to the deserving Tennessee Titans, but even the Titans would have to admit no team wants to play the red hot Colts right now. And Peyton is predominantly the reason. During the nine game run, Peyton was 209-of-290 passing for 2,248 yards and 17 touchdowns. He threw only three interceptions and he extended his NFL record 9th 4,000-yard season, finishing with 27 touchdown passes, 12 interceptions and a 95.0 passer rating. MVP worthy numbers? There was no doubt about it. No other player was even close in the voting and that was simply and honestly the reality of the situation.

Source: Colts.com, Photo: Newscom