Choke Game Snapshot: Saints @ Manning February 7th, 2010

We all know this one, don't we? Peyton Manning going for his second Super Bowl after one of his best post-season runs of his career. In the two games leading up to the Super Bowl, Manning had five TDs and just one interception with wins against the Ravens and the Jets.

Then Manning, yet again, couldn't get it done in the biggest stage of them all: the Super Bowl. And this time, his defense wasn't able to bail him out. Manning had to truly earn this one.




With the Colts down 24-17 late in the fouth quarter, Manning knew the game was on his shoulders. The clocked showed under five minutes and he had to do what he had done many, many times that season: lead his team to the end zone. He had to do this and hope to force overtime. Unfortunately (fortunately), that didn't happen. The choke was on and Manning, who, before his next throw had thrown just one touchdown and zero interceptions in the game, threw an awful game-clenching 74 yard touchdown to Tracy Porter sealing the game for the Saints.

Manning loses 31-17.

Manning's final stat line: 31 of 45, 333 yards, one TD, one INT, and an 88.5 quarterback rating.
Drew Brees' final stat line: 32 of 39, two TDs, zero INTs, and a 114.5 quarterback rating.

In the clutch, Manning, yet again, couldn't get it done.