Manning Brothers Pair Up to Make Pro Bowl History

But in Super Bowl XLVI, Manning made a hero of himself

(NEWSER) - Last night's big game was intensely fought, undeniably exciting—and a little mystifying, thanks to Eli Manning's unusual brand of heroism. Analysts weigh in on the game's place in football history:

• Last night brought us "the most Eli Manning moment of Eli Manning’s career." During the game-winning touchdown, we saw "a hero shot in which the conqueror looks totally confused by his conquest," with "arms half-raised in quasi-triumph." His quiet humility was the polar opposite of Tom Brady's "aggro posture," but it remains "difficult to understand," writes Josh Levin at Slate .

By 3 yards on his final throw of game

(NEWSER) - Drew Brees tossed for 307 yards and four touchdowns last night, securing his New Orleans Saints' place in the playoffs and his own in NFL history by shattering a 27-year-old season passing record held by Dan Marino. On his final pass of the game, Brees threw a nine-yard TD pass to put him over the top with 5,087 yards for the season—just three yards more than Marino's 5,084 in 1984, notes the AP . Marino himself was gracious, minutes later tweeting, "Great job by such a special player." More»

Sports analysts agog after Denver Broncos' latest victory

(NEWSER) - After a stunning performance in yesterday's last-minute 13-10 victory against the Chicago Bears, sports commentators are wondering if Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow really is capable of miracles.

• Declaring Tebow his "personal quarterback and savior," Jeff Neuman at RealClearSports catalogs five miracles made in last night's game. "Zero points on his team's first 11 possessions—and then three scores on their last three, aided by a coach's weird strategy, thin air, a fumble, and a total brain cramp by a veteran running back. Truly, Tim Tebow works in mysterious ways."
• Writing for the Montreal Gazette , Ed Willes also drops the M-word, wondering if "we've ever seen a run like this in the last 50 years of sports: an athlete who's at once both divisive and irresistibly charismatic; an athlete who's in the miracle business every week; an athlete who transcends everything around him."

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»