Possible reason for Manning\'s failure in playoffs
 

People might know this already, but I'll throw this out there anyway. Since the San Diego game, everyone has been saying Peyton Manning has trouble when under a lot of pressure. This is no suprise as most quarterbacks will have similar problems. One thing about the playoffs is intensity and the speed up of the game increase. Peyton is horrible when blitzed, if he doesn't have time to sit in the pocket he's almost helpless. In yesterdays game, the majority of Peyton's long completions came when the Steelers rushed 3 and dropped 8. The Steelers went back to blitzing when it was 21-18 and the came up with 2 quick sacks. I'm aware that Pittsburgh blitzes almost more than most teams, but I'm skeptical if Peyton Manning can succeed (win a SB) under the intensity and speed of playoff games.

Re: Possible reason for Manning\'s failure in playoffs
 

I dunno, teams blitz in the regular season too. I remember the Packers game last September when they rushed about 7 guys on every play and gave up like 50 points. Granted the Packers defense sucks, but still they got lots of pressure and hit #18 frequently. The QB was just better & more accurate.
I really don't think there's a rational explanation for it other than him & Vanderchoke are just choke artists.

Re: Possible reason for Manning\'s failure in playoffs
 

When the Patriots beat Indy, the Pats didn't blitz at all -- they dropped a ton of people into coverage every play.

Re: Possible reason for Manning\'s failure in playoffs
 

You couldn't find a way to fit this in to any of the 5 threads that already existed?

Re: Possible reason for Manning\'s failure in playoffs
 

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When the Patriots beat Indy, the Pats didn't blitz at all -- they dropped a ton of people into coverage every play.

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Yes, that too. And Jacksonville as well.

Re: Possible reason for Manning\'s failure in playoffs
 

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Peyton is probably the best quarterback in the NFL when blitzed

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FYP. Does that change your opinion?

Re: Possible reason for Manning\'s failure in playoffs
 

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Peyton is horrible when blitzed, if he doesn't have time to sit in the pocket he's almost helpless.

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This was never more evident than on that crucial fourth down play on the Colts' second-to-last series. Peyton lined up in the shotgun so that he wouldn't have to drop back (which was smart), but as soon as he got the ball from center, he saw the pressure coming, and turned his back and started running (slowly). As soon as he turned his back, that play was over. Manning isn't going to outrun anybody and was sacked after he took about four steps.

I think most QBs in that situation would stand in there that extra split second, throw a quick pass, and take the hit. Not Manning. For some reason, he gave up on the play almost as soon as he got the ball. I agree that Manning will never win in the playoffs until he learns how to handle pressure.

Re: Possible reason for Manning\'s failure in playoffs
 

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Peyton is probably the best quarterback in the NFL when blitzed



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FYP. Does that change your opinion?

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Did you watch the game? How can he not even throw the ball on fourth down with 1:20 left and his team behind? A 20-yard interception is way better than a sack there, but Manning didn't even attempt to throw the ball. No way you can say that Manning is the best in the NFL when blitzed after watching that spectacle yesterday.

Re: Possible reason for Manning\'s failure in playoffs
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Peyton is horrible when blitzed, if he doesn't have time to sit in the pocket he's almost helpless.

[/ QUOTE ]

This was never more evident than on that crucial fourth down play on the Colts' second-to-last series. Peyton lined up in the shotgun so that he wouldn't have to drop back (which was smart), but as soon as he got the ball from center, he saw the pressure coming, and turned his back and started running (slowly). As soon as he turned his back, that play was over. Manning isn't going to outrun anybody and was sacked after he took about four steps.

I think most QBs in that situation would stand in there that extra split second, throw a quick pass, and take the hit. Not Manning. For some reason, he gave up on the play almost as soon as he got the ball. I agree that Manning will never win in the playoffs until he learns how to handle pressure.

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It was 4th and 16 on that play. What was Manning supposed to do? Dump it off to the RB and hope the guy gets the first down? He had to throw the ball downfield and he ran back hoping to buy time for a WR to get downfield.

Re: Possible reason for Manning\'s failure in playoffs
 

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Peyton is horrible when blitzed, if he doesn't have time to sit in the pocket he's almost helpless.

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This was never more evident than on that crucial fourth down play on the Colts' second-to-last series. Peyton lined up in the shotgun so that he wouldn't have to drop back (which was smart), but as soon as he got the ball from center, he saw the pressure coming, and turned his back and started running (slowly). As soon as he turned his back, that play was over. Manning isn't going to outrun anybody and was sacked after he took about four steps.

I think most QBs in that situation would stand in there that extra split second, throw a quick pass, and take the hit. Not Manning. For some reason, he gave up on the play almost as soon as he got the ball. I agree that Manning will never win in the playoffs until he learns how to handle pressure.



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It was 4th and 16 on that play. What was Manning supposed to do? Dump it off to the RB and hope the guy gets the first down? He had to throw the ball downfield and he ran back hoping to buy time for a WR to get downfield.

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Watch the play again. Manning didn't backpedal. He turned his back and started running. No QB can complete a pass downfield when his back is turned. Manning gave up on the play right from the start.

What he should have done is stood in there for another half-second and then loft one downfield up for grabs. That's better than taking a sack at his own 2 on fourth down. Dumping it off to Edgerrin James is also a better option than taking a sack. Out of those three options (loft it, dump it off, take the sack), Manning chose the worst one. Horrible.