From the naked eye, Manning had a good game. Going 25 for 42 for 310 is not bad. Not bad at all. You'd expect more than just one touchdown when you are throwing to Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, and Marvin Harrison, but whatever. We're going to look the crucial part of the game where the choke was on in full force this day (again): the second half. Even Mr. Henry Heimlich would have had a hard time stopping this choke job.
With the Clots up 17 to 14 in the third quarter, the choke was on. After a touchdown early in the third, the Chargers gave the ball right back to the Clots in consecutive possessions with a fumble and an interception. How did Manning respond? Three plays gaining four yards and a punt in 54 seconds. The next possession? Ten plays for just 22 yards and a punt in SIX minutes and 19 seconds.
After a Charger punt, Manning led his offense to 3 plays and zero yards, giving the ball back to the Charger with almost two minutes left in regulation. Phillip Rivers led his team into field goal range to tie the game up. Something Manning was unable to do in three straight possessions. Manning ended the half with a 31 second drive that ended the four quarter.
In overtime, Phillip Rivers led his offense to the 23-17 victory. All Manning had to do was lead his team to within field goal range and he would have led his team to victory. But he didn't.
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