By Darin For years, the narrative was set in stone: Peyton Manning was a regular-season titan who simply couldn’t get past the New England Patriots when it mattered most. On January 21, 2007, that script was finally shredded in a game often cited as the greatest AFC Championship ever played.
A Tale of Two Halves
The RCA Dome was silent as the Indianapolis Colts fell into a 21-3 hole early in the second quarter. Tom Brady and the Patriots appeared destined for another Super Bowl, capitalizing on an Asante Samuel pick-six that felt like a death knell for the Indy faithful. However, the 2006 AFC Championship was about to become a legendary comeback.
Article from Jan 22, 2007 Daily Press (Newport News, Virginia)
Manning emerged from the locker room for the second half with clinical precision. The Colts roared back, scoring 18 points in the third quarter to tie the game at 21-21. What followed was a heavyweight slugfest, with the lead changing hands multiple times in a frantic fourth quarter.
The Drive for Glory
With 2:17 remaining and trailing 34-31, Manning led an 80-yard drive that defined his legacy. The march was capped off by a Joseph Addai touchdown run with only 1:00 left on the clock. When Marlin Jackson intercepted Tom Brady on the ensuing possession, the “Patriot hoodoo” was officially broken. The 38-34 victory remains the largest comeback in conference championship history.
Conclusion
Peyton Manning’s victory over the Patriots wasn’t just a win; it was a career-defining exorcism of his playoff demons. By overcoming an 18-point deficit, the Colts earned their trip to Super Bowl XLI, where Manning would eventually secure his first ring. This game proved that no lead is safe and no narrative is permanent.
Thank you to Newspapers.com and Pro-Football-Reference.com
