A brilliant showing by Peyton Manning led the Indianapolis Colts to an AFC Championship Game victory over the New York Jets today, as the Colts fell behind early but surged in the second half to win 30-17 and punch their tickets to Super Bowl XLIV.
Manning carved up the Jets’ defense, completing 26 of 39 passes for 377 yards, with three touchdowns and no interceptions. His favorite receiver on the day was not Reggie Wayne or Dallas Clark but Pierre Garcon, who set an AFC Championship Game record with 11 catches.
After a scoreless first quarter in which Jets linebacker David Harris sacked Manning twice, the Jets took a 17-6 lead in the second, powered by an 80-yard touchdown catch by Braylon Edwards. But Manning struck quickly late in the second quarter to make it close before halftime, and it was all Colts in the second half.
Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez played well -- much better than previous rookie quarterbacks in conference championship games -- and the Jets’ loss can’t be blamed on him. Sanchez finished the game with 17 completions on 30 attempts for 257 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception.
Ultimately, the Jets just ran into a quarterback who wasn’t going to be stopped by any defense. The Vikings or Saints will have an extraordinary challenge against Manning in the Super Bowl.
