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»

Stanford quarterback will head to Peyton Manning's old team

(NEWSER) - The Indianapolis Colts stuck to the plan tonight in the NFL draft and made Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck this year's No. 1 pick, reports the Indianapolis Star . ESPN's Adam Schefter tweeted that he will get a four-year deal for $22 million. That's relatively modest by NFL standards, but Bleacher Report says it's part of a trend in which "rookies are no longer getting huge contracts." More»

Denver will try to trade Tim Tebow

(NEWSER) - Is Tebow-mania on its knees in Denver? Peyton Manning has told his agent to begin negotiations with the Broncos, sources tell Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen of ESPN . In a TV appearance, Schefter said Manning "fully intends" to play in Denver, and has already discussed the parameters of a 5-year, $95 million contract with GM John Elway. If the deal goes through, Denver will try to trade Tim Tebow. More»

Indianapolis will retire quarterback's No. 18

(NEWSER) - The "sources" were right: Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts announced today that he won't be playing for the team next season after 14 years, reports the Indianapolis Star . "It's weighed heavy on my heart," said an emotional Manning. "But I am at peace with it." Colts owner Jim Irsay said the circumstances of the QB's hefty contract were "too difficult to overcome," adding that the team would retire Manning's No. 18. So where to next? Bleacher Report has five teams here that should be on the top of the list. More»

Big announcement planned for tomorrow: ESPN

(NEWSER) - Big, long-expected news out of Indianapolis: ESPN reports that Peyton Manning and the Colts will announce at a news conference tomorrow that the football star and team are parting ways after 14 years. Manning is owed a $28 million roster bonus on Thursday; but the Colts hold the top draft pick, and, as AP notes, they apparently concluded it was too risky and pricey to pick up the four years left on his contract. That means Manning will become a free agent, and sources say he plans to keep playing. More»