Peyton Manningless

From 1999 to 2010, the Colts made the playoffs every season and in 2006, they were Super Bowl Champions. Their star quarterback Peyton Manning starting every game during that span and received two MVP awards including a super bowl MVP. Ever since the Colts drafting Manning out of Tennessee in 1998, they have ran the show in the AFC. Coming into the 2011 season, instead of hoping for another championship, the organization were all hoping that Peyton Manning would be healthy enough to start the season after having neck surgery earlier in the year. With no sign of knowing, the Colts quickly scarmbled to sign veteran free agent, Kerry Collins to step in as quarterback. As the NFL season approached week one, Manning's neck didn't appear to be healing and days before the Colts opening game, the organization ruled Peyton Manning out for week one and probably further. This Colts were going to be without their star quarterback for the first time in over 12 years.

As the NFL season of 2011/2012 started, the Colts chances of making the playoffs were up in the air. They still had a very talented team, but no one knew if they could mesh under the leadership of Kerry Collins. Those questions were answered very quickly as the Colts got blown out by the Texans and Browns in their first two games. Collins was banged up with a concussion so for their Sunday night showdown with the Steelers in week three, the Colts turned to backup Curtis Painter. He did play better than Collins but the Colts still lost 23-20.

Seven weeks into the season, the Colts are just one of three team still without a win. In front of national television this past Sunday night, the Colts lost 62-7 to the Saints. That is a lopsided score you never see in the NFL. An 0-7 start all goes back to one issue, they don't have their starting QB. Expected to miss the remainder of the season, Manning has sit patiently and watched a team he has led so many times to the playoffs turn into a team that is the laughing stock of the league. A Colts fan can only hope Manning fully heals and is ready for next season. It is crazy to imagine how one player can make such a huge difference for a team. This proves Manning should win the NFL MVP every season because the Colts are atrocious without him.