feature-image
feature-image

In what is still regarded as one of the best comebacks in all of sports, Peyton Manning led the Indianapolis Colts to victory. The 2007 AFC Championship game was contested between the Colts and the Patriots.

Watch What’s Trending Now!

The New England Patriots had won their fourth straight divisional title, coming in with a 12-4 record. They entered the playoffs as the 4 seed under head coach Bill Belichick. After a wild card victory, New England would go clinch a close victory over the San Diego Chargers. Notably, this was the last time the Patriots won a wild card game as of 2020.

ADVERTISEMENT

article-image

ADVERTISEMENT

Tony Paulines
Where Does Osu Still Lack Elite Talent?

Let Tony do the scouting, you just make the pick.

Pick your positions. Get Tony’s top 5:

This victory set them up for a faceoff against long time rivals Indianapolis Colts in the AFC championship game. The story that emerged from that game would bolster the legacy of Peyton Manning forever.

ADVERTISEMENT

Peyton Manning: A moment in history.

article-image

ADVERTISEMENT

The Patriots had the Colts trailing at 21-3 after a TD was scored by cornerback Asante Samuel. The MVP QB showed his merit as he began to turn it on as the third quarter arrived. The scores began even out during the sixth play of a one-yard TD by Dan Klecko. Peyton Manning had managed to bring the Colts back to 21-19.

However, the Patriots would hold on to their extension, finishing the quarter 28-21 in their favor.

ADVERTISEMENT

The game began to heat up in the fourth quarter however the Patriots managed to stay ahead.  New England kicker Stephen Gostkowski made a 28-yard field goal via Brady to give them a three-point lead. The Colts responded with a 36-yard field goal by Adam Vinatieri thus going on to tie the game at 31. Indianapolis managed to halt the drive to TE Daniel Graham at their 25-yard line, but a 43-yard field goal gave New England a 34–31 lead with 3:49 left in the game.

ADVERTISEMENT

The 14 time Pro bowler Peyton Manning finally gave the Colts the lead with one minute left in play. A three-yard TD by Joseph Addai came off the 7 play by Manning and with the clock running out, the Colts were on their way to the Super Bowl.

The victory marked the largest deficit ever overcome in an NFL conference championship game.  Peyton Manning and the Colts won Super Bowl XLI two weeks later, beating the Chicago Bears 29–17. Manning was voted Super Bowl MVP.

ADVERTISEMENT

Share this with a friend:

Link Copied!

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Written by

author-image

Darryl Pinto

2,138 Articles

Darryl Pinto is a senior MMA writer and editor at EssentiallySports. He is currently pursuing his Sport Business Management degree out of Humber College, Canada and has completed nearly 3 years with the organization. He has also served as the Head of Content for the MLB department.

Know more

ADVERTISEMENT