Peyton's Place

By Eric Gold Feb 5, 2007, 0:30 GMT

Miami, FL - The rain, a Chicago touchdown 14 seconds into the game and even three Colt turnovers couldn't stop Peyton Manning from winning his first Super Bowl.

This was not the temperature comforts of the RCA Dome. Super Bowl XLI was played in an outdoor stadium with tropical-like rainfall that deluged Dolphin Stadium, leaving both teams to play in rough conditions. However, that didn't matter to Manning or the Colts, who completed their mission with the franchise's first championship in more than 35 years.

Sure it helped that the Bears coughed up the ball five times and had just 121 yards going into the fourth quarter, but good teams are supposed to take advantage of mistakes, and that's what Manning and the Colts did.

Other than early in the opening quarter, it never looked that Manning was pressing. He was sacked once and appeared in control in the pocket with great protection from his offensive corps, led by center Jeff Saturday.

Although it took Manning nine years to win his first Super Bowl and he was he butt of criticism that he couldn't win the big game, nobody can deny his incredible work ethic or now Hall of Fame stature.

'It means a lot for all of us,' said Colts coach Tony Dungy, who became the first black coach to win the Super Bowl, as he faced former pupil and Bears coach Lovie Smith. 'I'm happy for Peyton. People that don't know how great a player he is, they don't know much about football. I don't think he needed this to validate himself.'

The 29-17 win over the Chicago Bears could be the first of many Super Bowl titles for Manning, who at 30 may still have his best years ahead of him.

'Peyton Manning is a tremendous player,' Dungy said. 'He's a great leader. He prepares, he works. He does everything that you can do to win ball games and to lead your team. I don't think there's anything you can say now other than this guy is a Hall of Fame player and one of the greatest players to ever play in the game.'

While the 247 yards on 25-of-38 passing wasn't nearly the best game of his career, the fact that the seven-time Pro Bowl selection didn't make many mistakes on the game's grandest stage was enough to prove he didn't have to be a one-man show for the Colts to win. His only interception came on Indianapolis' first possession, and when the game was over Manning not only was lifting the Vince Lombardi Trophy for the NFL title, but also was adorned as the game's MVP.

'We worked real hard this season, obviously the past number of seasons,' Manning said. 'Obviously, for the rookies, I know this is special. This is special to a lot of the veteran players that have been here. It's nice to be able to put it together with a championship.'

Even though Devin Hester returned the game's opening kick 92 yards for a score, the Colts never flinched, mostly due to the expert play calling and calmness of Manning.

'We never panicked,' Colts receiver Reggie Wayne said. 'The kickoff return was the first play of the game. You had a ton of game left. Guys never hung their head down. No one pressed the panic button.'

A two-time NFL MVP, Manning immediately showed his mettle on Indianapolis' second possession, finding Wayne on a blown coverage play for 53 yards and a TD to get his team within a point.

Throughout the game, Manning also made sure to use his prize rookie running back, Joseph Addai, who had 77 yards rushing and 66 more receiving on 10 catches.

In the end, despite the rain and a slow start, Miami became Peyton's place.

© 2007 The Sports Network