By now everyone in the free world is aware that Co-MVP Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts did not defeat the New England Patriots and will not represent the AFC in the Superbowl on February 1, 2004. Some fans will blame Peyton for the lost, but there were several key mistakes made the Colts that led to their premature, playoff demise.

Peyton Manning has never proved to be a great quarterback in heavy snow. He is not used to playing in such weather condition on a consistent basis, whether high school, at the University of Tennessee or the NFL. Yes the Colts beat Denver in the snow last year in the regular season, but that was the exception. Knowing that Peyton is unfamiliar with blowing snow, the Colts should have been practicing outside since their victory against the Denver Broncos, in this years playoffs. In Colts' coach, Tony Dungy's defense, Indianapolis did practice this past week in the snow before the game.

The Colts should not have focused their game plan around the arm of Peyton Manning. Running backs Edgerrin James and Dominick Rhodes should have had 30 carries a piece. My friend Markeith Reed always says, "there is never a bad time to run the ball." If the Colts had passed the ball only 8 times in the ball game, Ty Law does not have three interceptions, but maybe one. There would have been less pressure on the defense, because the Colts would have taken more time off the clock. Edgerrin finished the game with 17 carries for 79 yards, that is a little more than 4 yards a carries.

Take nothing away from the New England Patriots. They were able to destroy the Colts front seven without blitzing throughout the game. The Colts were simply out coached, but they can be a contender next year.

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