In 2005 the Clots defense was second in the league in points given up at 15.4 per game (247 for the entire season) and 11th in yards given up per game with 307.
In 2007 his defense was first in points given up with 16.4 (262 for the season) and third in 279 yards given up per game.
In 2008 the defense was 7th in the league with 18.6 points given up per game (298 for the season) and 11th in yards per game with 310 per game.
In 2009 the Colts defense was 8th in the league with 19 points per game given up (307 for the season) and 18th in yards per game with 339.
In 2010 his defense allowed 24 points per game, 10th best in the NFL (388 on the season) and 13th in the league with 341 yards per game given up.
Now, you may be asking yourself, "HEY WHAT ABOUT 2006?!" That season is a special season for Colts fans, so I will break it down.
In the Super Bowl-winning season of 2006, Peyton Manning's team went 12-4 and went on to win the Super Bowl. His defense during the regular season was quite crap. During the regular season it, ranked 23rd in the NFL in points given up with 22.5 per game and gave up 332 yards per game. Not the best defense in the world, but not the worst he has worked with.
The biggest embarrassment in that season was the 44-17 loss to the Jaguars where the Jags rushed for 375 rushing yards. The Colts defense limped into the playoffs with their defense giving up 173 rushing yards per game. Over half of the total yards given up were on the ground.
Great, Manning overcame the regular season struggle and marched into the playoffs. There is a different story told in the playoffs, though.
In four playoff games, the Colts defense gave up just 82 yards per game rushing.
Wild Card Game:
The Chiefs rushed for just 44 yards, a far cry from the 133 yards per game they rushed for in the regular season.
The Colts, however, rushed for 188 yards on 40 carries and one touchdown. Manning, however, went 30 for 38 with 268 yards, one TD, and 3 INTs.
Bailed out by the defense in a 23-8 win while picking off Trent Green twice.
Division Round:
The Ravens rushed for 83 yards in the game a little less than the 102 average they had during the regular season.
The Colts didn't fair MUCH better in this defensive struggle with just 100 rushing yards, but it was enough to overcome Manning's 15 for 30, 170 yards, 0 TD, and 2 INT performance.
Bailed out by the defense intercepting McNair twice while beating the Ravens in Baltimore 15-6.
AFC Championship:
The game everyone wanted to see was New England in Indy and that was what they got. The Colts gave up just 93 rushing yards to the Pats, 30 less than the 123 they averaged in the regular season including 148 when they met the Colts back in week nine.
The Colts took the game 38-34, but how did Manning do? 27-47 with 349 yards, one passing TD, one rushing TD, and one INT. Not TOO great. Apart from Manning's TDs, the Colts scored thanks to Jeff Saturday and Joseph Addai.
Super Bowl:
The Bears rushed for 111 yards (they averaged 127 during the regular season) and passed for 154 yards.
In the 29 to 17 victory, the Colts rushed for 292 yards and one TD while Manning went 25 for 38, 247 yards, one TD, and one INT. An 81.8 quarterback rating, if you enjoy that stat.
As a whole, the Colts defense in the playoffs was first in yards per game (238.5), second in passing yards per game (155), second in rushing yards per game (82.8), and second in points per game (16.2).
In the end, Manning has a completion percent of 63.4%, three TDs, SEVEN INTs, and a quarterback rating of just 70.5.
Who was responsible for that Super Bowl?
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