[Red Brooklyn]

I think everyone knows that I'm a huge Peyton Manning fan. I'm fairly new to football, and I don't have the same level of understanding as many around here. I admit that. Peyton Manning is one of the best field generals I've ever seen. He has an almost preternatural ability to read defences and a remarkable understanding for the game. He's accurate. He's classy. I like the guy. He's one of the best (certainly, that I've watched) to play the game.

However... people can make excuses... Wayne was off on the route? Ok. Peyton was under pressure? Ok. The bottome line is he made the pass, and the defender made a hell of a play. The game was not over and that pick 6 all but sealed it. Peyton has to take some of (if not all of) the blame on his own shoulders. He's won a lot of games for his team. This time... he lost it for them. He played a great game, minus one play. It just happens that one play was the difference. Sucks, but there it is.

But let's give mad props to the Saints and their coaching staff. They went into the game with one objective: keeep the ball out of Manning's hands. They did that, and they did it well. Some ballsy calls and some great execution on short, time-eating, plays... Those guys coached a great game. They knew that Manning would beat them. So they did there best to make that one guy a non-factor. They were right. Keep Manning out of the game. Make him desperate. Bingo. He made a poor decision at the worst possible time. I bet he wished he had that one back... but...

Congrats Saints. Peyton Manning is still one of the best QB's I've ever seen. I've never called him the GOAT. But let's not act like Manning isn't a classy, intellegent, and talented player. In my personal opinion, I'm comfortable saying he's better than Brady, Big Ben, and even Brees, regardless of his playoff record. He's not as "clutch" as those guys, perhaps. But he's a better QB in every other catagory. But he's not Joe Montana and unless he goes on a hell of a run... like a 3 SBs in a row kinda run... I don't see how he ever will be. He could be #2 when all is said and done. Manning's nowhere near finished and he's getting better. It's wise not to count him out yet. The dude can play.