Colts 6-0 After 29-7 Jacksonville Rout

(NEWSER) - Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts won their eighth straight game tonight to clinch a playoff spot, the Indianapolis Star reports. The 31-24 win against Jacksonville epitomized their season: a slow start and a strong—if nail-biting—finish. Jacksonville led 17-7 at the half and were inside the 10 in the final seconds. Manning, whose team made the playoffs for the seventh straight year, passed for 364 yards and 3 TDs. More»

Patriots top Bills, Saints crush Panthers, 49ers thump Rams

(NEWSER) - The New England Patriots overcame a 21-point deficit today with 49 unanswered points to rock the Buffalo Bills 49-21, the AP reports. The win earned the Pats home-field advantage and the AFC's top seed. Tom Brady threw for 338 yards and finished with the second-most passing yards in NFL history, 5,235—behind only Drew Brees, who threw for 5,486 this year with the New Orleans Saints. More»

But he may practice in December

(NEWSER) - Peyton Manning may recover from surgery quickly enough to practice with the Colts by December, but the team doesn’t expect him to actually take the field until next season, owner Jim Irsay told a breakfast for Super Bowl donors this morning, according to the Indy Star . But the AP reports that he seemingly backtracked moments later—perhaps in the interest of keeping fans' attention this season—tweeting: "I didn't say Peyton out 4season FOR SURE,keeping him on ActiveRoster n taking it month by month/Outside chance of return n December possible." More»

Colts QB has more neck surgery, will be out months if not longer

(NEWSER) - Peyton Manning's season is in jeopardy after he had to have his third neck operation in two years, reports ESPN . The Colts QB will be out at least two to three months, though the team is downplaying the seriousness and says it expects him to return at some point. At Sports Illustrated , however, Will Carroll says the recovery time for this procedure—something called a "single level anterior fusion"—is typically up to a full year, and he suggests it's possible the great No. 18 has played his last game. More»

New Orleans makes upset look easy as Indy receivers go AWOL

(AP) - The New Orleans Saints stymied Peyton Manning, then intercepted him to seal the Super Bowl, rallying to beat the Indianapolis Colts tonight in Miami, 31-17. Tracy Porter intercepted a pass from Manning and sprinted 74 yards for a touchdown and a 31-17 lead with 3:12 left. Playing in the Super Bowl for the first time, the Saints went on a 31-7 run after falling behind 10-0 early. More»