Peyton Manning Silences Critics and Joins Brett Favre as a Three Time Winner of NFL MVP Award

The beginning of the 2008 NFL football season started off rough for the Indianapolis Colts and their quarterback Payton Manning. Manning who had two surgeries in the off season to repair damage to his left knee was visibly effected and not as efficient as he had been in the years past. The result led to the Colts starting off the season at just 3-4 and had many questioning if Payton Manning had seen his best days. What followed was a nine game winning streak that saw Manning lead his team to the playoffs yet again and also saw Payton Manning tie Brett Favre's mark as the only other player to receive three NFL MVPs (source: espn.com)

Favre won the award in 1995, 1996 had he shared the award in 1997 with running back Barry Sanders. Along with this year's honors, Manning was also the NFL MVP in 2003 and he shared the honors with Steve McNair in 2004. This time it wasn't even close. Manning received 32 out of a possible 50 votes from the sport writers and broadcasters of the Associated Press (AP) who present the NFL MVP award. The closest to him were quarterback Chad Pennington of the Miami Dolphins and running back Michael Turner of the Atlanta Falcons who each received four votes. While Manning was grateful for the award he passed along the credit in his typical fashion. "I know it's an individual award, but ... truly, in my opinion, a team award," said Manning, "It's been the most rewarding regular season that I've been a part of in my 11 years, and I have to believe a lot of the other players and even coaches might feel the same way (source: espn.com)." With comments like that it is easy to see why Manning is one of the most revered players in the NFL.

But Manning certainly was more than deserving of the award. In the nine game run that followed the 3-4 start, Manning was 209-of-290 for 2,248 yards and 17 touchdowns, with only three interceptions. He extended his own NFL record with his ninth 4,000-yard season and finished with 27 touchdown passes, 12 interceptions and a 95.0 passer rating (source: espn.com). If that's washed up, I'd hate to see when he is on.

And so it seems that all is right with the world of the NFL. The Colts are once again in the playoffs, the critics have nothing but good to say now and for the third time Payton Manning is the MVP of the NFL. Though tied as of now with Favre, it is not inconceivable that Manning could win another MVP award (or two or three) in the years to come.