Another Disappointing End to a Promising Season

After posting a 12-4 record during the 2004 regular season, Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts hosted the Denver Broncos in the first round of the playoffs and quickly dismantled them to the tune of 49-24. Manning put together a dominate performance, throwing for 458 yards and four touchdowns. He also picked up one TD on the ground.

However the following week in the divisional round, the Colts once again were ousted 20-3 by what was quickly becoming their biggest rival and a dynasty-in-the-making in the New England Patriots.

And once again the Patriots seemed to have Manning's number, holding him to just 238 yards, no touchdowns, and a 69.3 passer rating; his lowest of the season excluding a limited performance in the season finale in which he threw just two passes before sitting out the rest of the contest.

His performance in the loss continued to give ammo to the doubters who claimed he just wasn't a big-game quarterback and would never win it all.