Manning's Last Stand

In college, it was Florida. In the NFL there's no doubt that Manning just can't beat the Patriots. Rarely in sports does an opportunity look quite as golden as this Sunday's AFC title game between the Colts and Patriots.

There's no question that this is the biggest game in Indianapolis Colts history. Sunday's game will be the first AFC title game played in Indianapolis, and a chance for the Colts to go to their first Super Bowl since 1971 and the first ever in Indianapolis.

But the story you'll most likely be sick of hearing by Thursday is the story of Manning's constant chokes against the Patriots. Manning's playoff record is 5-6 while the Patriot's Tom Brady is the elite playoff quarterback at 12-1. Not to mention the Pats have won three of the last five Super Bowls, after beating the Colts twice along the way, and embarrassing Manning each time. But this time they won't be playing in Foxborough, it'll be in the RCA dome.

Peyton Manning's "legacy" will most likely hinge on this game. If Manning is once again confounded by Belichick, he will most likely never get the chance again to erase the stigma of the Patriots and the playoffs. If the Colts win, it will go a long way to supporting the argument that Manning is the best ever.

Despite the obvious arch-nemesis storyline of the Patriots and the Colts, there are plenty of other things riding on this game.

Adam Vinatieri, arguably one of sports' most clutch players, will now be facing his former team in yet another clutch game. So far, Vinatieri has scored more points than Peyton Manning in this post-season, going 5 for 5 against the Ravens.

Then there's the Colts Defense, which in the regular season had the worst numbers of any NFL team in 12 years. Then Bob Sanders came back and the Colts Defense has now won two playoff games in a row. So while we wonder if "regular season Manning" or "playoff Manning" will show up, we will also be watching for "good D" and "bad D."

If the Colts go to the Super Bowl, Tony Dungy will be the first African American coach to take his team to the big game.

The Chargers may have underestimated New England, but you can be assured that Indianapolis will not.

While Indianapolis will have the motivation of playing its most important game in team history, the Patriots will bring to the table one of the best playoff quarterbacks and arguably the best team of the decade.

It is unlikely that the Colts will ever get a better chance to erase the bad stigma of history. Can Manning and the Colts finally win the big game? Or will Brady and Belichick once again pick them apart?