Super Bowl 2014: How has Peyton Manning performed in past Super Bowls?

Peyton Manning has made it to the Super Bowl twice in his storied career. He is 1-1 in the big game, but how has he fared at the individual level?

Super Bowl XLI

By the 2006 season, the media was already growing with rumblings about Peyton Manning being unable to win the big game. In fact, the season nearly looked lost when the Indianapolis Colts, after starting 9-0, lost four of their final seven games to finish as the 3rd seed.

Manning would overcome all of that, beating the Kansas City Chiefs 23-8 in the Wild Card round. Then moving on to take down the Baltimore Ravens 15-6 in the Divisional playoffs. Against Tom Brady and New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game, Manning would overcome a 21-3 deficit to win an instant classic, 38-34 to secure his first Super Bowl appearance.

Super Bowl XLI was played against the Chicago Bears, who were somewhat limited offensively, but fielded one of the leagues best defense (sound familiar?). In the rain, Peyton Manning completed 25 of his 38 passes for 247 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Not exactly his best statistical day, but the emotions of those with votes carried the day and he was voted Super Bowl MVP.

Super Bowl XLIV

Peyton Manning led the Colts to a dominating 14-2 record in 2009, steam rolling through the playoffs first over the Baltimore Ravens again in the Division round, 20-3. Then in the AFC Championship game, Manning overcame a 17-6 deficit in the first half to carry the Colts to victory, 30-17 for his second trip to the Super Bowl.

The New Orleans Saints that year were also riding high under Drew Brees, finishing 13-3 and one of the most exciting offensive teams in the league. After jumping out to a 10-0 leading in the first half, backed mostly by a stellar 96 yard drive, however, after a surprising onside kick to start the second half the Saints stole momentum to take a 13-10 lead.

The Colts would retake the lead later in the game, 17-16, but with just over five minutes left in the game Drew Brees capped off a touchdown drive with a two point conversion for a 24-17 lead. Peyton Manning would take the ball back and began marching the Colts down the field for what everyone thought would be a game tying touchdown drive, when on 3rd down and 5 from the Saints 31 yard line, Tracy Porter would step in front of a pass intended for Reggie Wayne and return it 74 yards for the game clinching touchdown. Manning would get the ball back again and drive down to the goalline, but on fourth down and goal his pass would be dropped by Reggie Wayne. The Saints would win 31-17.

Peyton Manning finished the day completing 31 of his 48 passes for 333 yards with again one touchdown and one interception.

By Tim Lynch