Ravens intercept Manning 6 times.

In December, the 2009 Indianapolis Colts were 14-0 and on the verge of perfection. Deciding that perfection was not the goal but instead going in to the postseason well rested was more important. Even without those last two games there was strong agreement that these Colts were one of the best teams of all times. And so it made sense that in the CFL Late 2000’s draft Tom Davis would take over the reins of this impressive team.

And then there were the 2006 Baltimore Ravens. A great defense, but they had lost in the playoffs to the 2006 version of the Colts. Going in to last night’s CFL game most people would have put money on the Colts. There were even rumors that Coach MacDonald was putting his money on the 09 Colts.

But then the game began. The Ravens jumped out to a 10-0 lead early in the second quarter. Peyton Manning threw two interceptions in the first quarter, so it was obvious that the Ravens defense was having its desired effect. Put pressure on Manning and hope.

After his second interception, Manning put on his game face and let the Colts down the field for a 9 play, 84 yard touchdown drive,
finished off by a Dallas Clark 29 yard touchdown reception.

After trading possessions, the Colts once had the ball, this time
starting on their own 19. Manning to Wayne for 8 yards. Manning to Clark for 22 yards. Then Manning threw his third interception of the half. Chris McAlister picked off Manning, returning the pick 31 yards before he fumbled the ball. But heads up play by Ed Reed recovered the ball and the Ravens were ready to make Manning pay for his mistake.

But, wait. There was laundry on the field. That’s right, the Ravens
were called for Holding, and the interception never happened. The
Colts had the ball on the Ravens 46. And just to show that he was not gun shy Manning connected two plays later with Collie on a 40 yard pass play, setting the Colts up with a First and Goal from the 9.  Addai sealed the deal with a 7 yard touchdown run.

And so the first half came to a close. The Ravens defense had played well, but it wasn’t good enough.

The scoring resumed halfway through the third quarter, when the Ravens regained the lead on a quarterback sneak by Steve McNair. The Ravens were ahead 17-14. But everyone in attendance was just waiting for Manning to take it to the next level and teach the Ravens that he was not intimidated by their constant blitzing.

The Colts went three and out, but so did the Ravens.

The Colts had a short field to work with after forcing the Ravens to
punt from their own 2. Manning was only 43 yards from the end zone, with more than 2 minutes left in the third quarter. Addai outside for 5. Manning to Wayne incomplete. Manning to Wayne for 17. Manning to Wayne for21 and the touchdown.

Matt Stover who had the kicking duties for both teams – a sort of all time kicker, put the Colts ahead 21-17. The Colts were feeling pretty good, after giving up 14 points in the first half, the Ravens only scored 3 in the third. And as long as Manning did not make any more bad decisions, it looked the Colts would be able to secure the victory.

On the next Ravens possession, they picked up one first down, but
nothing more.

Manning had the lead, the ball and 13 minutes to milk the clock,
starting on his own 6. Far too many times had Colts’ opponents been subjected to watching Manning work his magic.

But then Manning did the unthinkable. He threw another interception.  Bart Scott had his second interception. The Ravens had the ball in Colts territory but could only come out of it with a field goal. The Colts still lead 21-20.

And once again Manning had the ball. And the lead. One nice long drive and the Colts could seal the victory.  But the Ravens Defense had other ideas. There was not going to be a long drive. Instead the Colts were forced to punt from their own 37.

The Ravens figured they could milk the clock. And get at least a field goal. A few short passes and a draw got a first down. And then on third and two from their own 43, McNair could not hook up with Todd Heap and the Colts were going to get the ball back.

Now surely THIS TIME, Manning was going to work his magic. A one point lead. The ball. An incredible receiving corps.

Manning threw his FOURTH interception of the game. And even worse Chris McAlister returned this one for a touchdown. The Ravens retook the lead with less than 3 minutes to go. A missed two point conversion made the score 26-21.

Manning was soon facing 4th down from his own 35. And Terrell Suggs added an exclamation mark to the day the Ravens D was having with an 8 yard sack.  A quick Ravens touchdown put them ahead 32-21 after another missed two point conversion.

On their final drive Manning managed to throw two more interceptions (one of them was fumbled by the Ravens and recovered by the Colts.)

And the team that could have and probably should have gone 16-0, after all just the week before in CFL play, they had beaten the unbeatable New England Patriots, fell to the 2006 Ravens and their blitzing and bruising defense.

--submitted by K.A. MacDonald--