Peyton Manning: 31 4th Quarter Comebacks

by Brad Wells on Sep 16, 2008 2:05 PM EDT in Colts Analysis

Last Sunday marked Peyton Manning's 31st fourth quarter comeback in his illustrious career. I guess we can now fondly look back and chuckle at all the inbred, ignorant dweebs (Bill Simmons) who openly questioned Peyton Manning's clutchness and ability to perform well under pressure. To put it in perspective folks, the supposed most "clutch player of all-time" was Joe Montana. I personally think Montana was over-rated. Not that he was bad. He was a truly great QB, but he simply wasn't as good as Dan Marino or John Elway. Montana played with Jerry Rice, Roger Craig, Brent Jones, Charles Haley, and Ronnie Lott. Elway and Marino had the likes of Mark Duper, Mark Jackson, and Ronald Humphrey for most of their careers. Take Marino or Elway, give them that talent and coaching, and they have 4 or maybe 5 rings.

But, per usual, I'm getting off topic.

Anyway, Montana, in his Hall of Fame career, had 31 4th quarter comebacks. He retired at age 38. Peyton Manning is 32, and already has 31 fourth quarter comebacks. Peyton does not play in the short, timing offense Montana played in. He plays in a down-the-field passing attack. And he calls his own plays, again, unlike Montana.

Can you tell that when someone says "Joe Montana was the best QB who ever lived," I want to rip their face off with a nail filler?

The other great clutch QB, Tom Brady, has 26 for his career. Again, morons lke Simmons have always shouted from the mountains that Brady is "more clutch" than Peyton. It was laughable then, and it is laughable now. Don't get me wrong. 26 comebacks is an amazing stat, and we here at Stampede Blue have always cheered Tom Brady's abilities (except when he plays the Colts, of course). But the fact is Brady is not "more clutch" than Peyton. Joe Montana is not more "clutch" than Peyton.

Peyton stands alone. He is money. Anyone who says otherwise can get their face introduced to the nail filler.

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Comments

I just read this stat

but I didn’t know how it compared to the supposed"real clutch" QBs, such as Brady and Montana.

I remember saying last Sunday, when we were down 15-0 at the start of the 3rd qtr, that under normal circumstances that wouldn’t worry me. I was nervous because of the shape of our line, I admit. But the come-from-behind-win is Peyton’s specialty. Granted, they give me heart palpitations…but he consistantly pulls them off.

Whenever I hear someone say he isn’t “clutch” I want to reach through their chest and pull their heart out…well, maybe not that, but you know what I mean.

Thanks for the info!

April in CA

by peytonsthebest on Sep 16, 2008 2:23 PM EDT reply actions

On a bum knee

He came back on this occasion with a knee that was not exactly 100%. Even with this I still was never worried. Mad? Yes! But not worried. All the offense needed was a play over 20 yards, and then Gonzo breaks on a fly route/pitch to Reggie. I noticed in the post game interviews that Peyton was none-to-happy about Gonzo’s improved pitch. Peyton definitely has to thank his defense for this comeback.

If Peyton is now tied with Montana at 31, I wonder what the record for 4th quarter comebacks is.

I have a man crush on Bob Sanders

by Carolina Colt on Sep 16, 2008 3:06 PM EDT reply actions

Carolina Colt

Where in Carolina are you located? Hard to find Colt fans here in Greenville, SC

by skywalker on Sep 16, 2008 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions

I am originally from Charleston but I just graduated from Winthrop and I am living just south of Charlotte. My father is from Indiana and he has ~~forced~~ ~~lead~~ helped me to become a Colts fan.

I have a man crush on Bob Sanders

by Carolina Colt on Sep 16, 2008 7:42 PM EDT up reply actions

It would be interesting

To see how many of them were touchdown drives and how many of them were FG drives to win the game.

by yellowsnow on Sep 17, 2008 7:43 AM EDT reply actions

Love It

I love the nail filer remarks.

by TouchdownMonkey on Sep 17, 2008 10:17 AM EDT reply actions

Why the hate?

BBS I really like this site, but there seems to be one irritant that keeps popping up in your writing…why when you want to make the point that Manning is a great QB do you first have to crap on other great QBs who have played the game. Montana is overrated? Are you kidding me? I guess the fact that Montana had such a good offensive system and cast is reason to cite for his success? Lets say this, there are a lot of QBs who have run the west coast system and NONE have been as successful as him. Manning threw an NFL record of TD passes a few years ago…and did he not have the best receiving cast in the NFL? So whats the point? We all know that Manning is clutch…heck, you are preaching to the choir here, so why not just compare his results with the others? These attacks make your claims thinly veiled. And while I don’t like Elway, I don’t think he was overrated either. Lastly, I’m not sure Marino would have any rings…Clayton and Duper were pretty good in their day! Its the running game!!

by TRDean on Sep 17, 2008 10:48 AM EDT reply actions

For the love of God

Montana is a great QB. He’s a Hall of Famer. I’m not disputing that. He’s just not “the most clutch QB of all time” or the “best of all time.” And Elway and Marino were better. They just didn’t play on the kinds of teams Montana did. That doesn’t take anything away from Montana’s legacy. It just puts things into perspective for Manning and others.

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by Brad Wells on Sep 17, 2008 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions

4th Q Comebacks

Peyton is great at the late game comeback no doubt but, this does confirm that he’s was losing the game before the comeback. It is nice to win at the wire but, a better reflection of QB greatness might be – career winning percentage. It think that Brady & Montana are up there on the list when it comes to simply winning the game.

by nothingbettertodo on Sep 17, 2008 6:21 PM EDT reply actions

Carreer winning percentage

might be more of a reflection on the TEAM’s geatness, in a team sport. It indicates balance. It is not fair to say about ANY one position in football that a certain player wasn’t the greatest because of the team winning percentage. I know that QB is more high profile, but it is bogus to elevate it above the whole team. Why can’t some people get this!?! (I understand that it is a convenient way for some to elevate their guy, but c’mon, people!)

Now, judging clutch performance by winning percentage might make more sense in golf or tennis. This is football.

by coltsfanawalt on Sep 17, 2008 11:44 PM EDT up reply actions